Feb 28
Today’s Truth
And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will (Romans 8:27 NLT).
Friend to Friend
Walking with our littles was often complicated. Bicycles raced down one side of the trail. Families, dogs, and
children were in the other. Children rode scooters or skateboards. Runners raced by.
Trying to keep them safe didn’t always work until we started playing a fun game.
Red light. Yellow light. Green light.
If they raced ahead or arrived at a curve or close to a busy street, I’d call out, “red light.”
Regardless of how fast they were going, they’d stop. Yellow light meant slow down. Green light meant go, go, go! Making this a game made it fun, but it also made it safer for them.
When life is overwhelming, we may not know what to do.
We are tempted to run in one direction or another or have the opposite reaction and shut completely down. Then there’s that limbo place where we want to go one way or another but are unsure which way to turn. So, we feel stuck.
Romans 8:27 reminds us, “And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” The Holy Spirit knows the heart of the Father for us in each of these situations.
He knows when we should stop, go, or wait. That might be a sense of peace, or a feeling deep inside. Whatever it looks like, as we listen for His voice we receive a red light, yellow light, or green light that helps us in the moment.
Red light: Stop daughter. Let Me help you work through that emotion. It comes from a wounded place. If you react now, it will only create more wounds for you, and for that person standing in front of you.
Yellow light: This isn’t your job, sweet daughter. Let Me do the work needed. I know you can’t see what I’m doing but trust Me. That’s all I ask of you.
Green light: Time to go, go, go! You are brave and strong. You can do this thing even though you are afraid. I’ll show you the next step.
As we listen to the Holy Spirit, we are tuned into the heart of God – over that circumstance, over that moment, and over our lives. God knows that we wrestle with mixed feelings and that the direction is not always clear.
Thankfully, He also knows what is around the corner. We can be overwhelmed in the heat of the moment or join in with the heart of the Father, which allows us to put on the brakes, take that huge leap of faith, or trust Him as we wait for clear direction.
In all of these we are still moving toward our destination, but in the safety of His love.
What is God saying to you today about your circumstances? Red light? Green light? Yellow light? Leave a comment and let’s compare colors!
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, thank You for walking with me daily. I don’t always know which way to go, or how to respond, but You do. Thank You for coming alongside. Thank You that You know what is ahead of me. As I listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit, thank You for keeping my feet on the path You have carved for me,
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What is one way to listen for the Holy Spirit?
James 1:5 encourages us to ask for wisdom. Ask the Holy Spirit for that wisdom, which the Bible says God longs to give generously, often. Not just in the big things, but in all things. The more you ask, the more you are listening, and the more you begin to recognize His voice above all the noise.
More from the Girlfriends
In Suzie’s book, JoyKeeper: 6 Truths That Change Everything You Thought You Knew About Joy, you are invited to explore six JoyKeeper truths to confront the joy stealers in your life.
One truth is that “God cares about your feelings.” This freeing truth allows us to freely share our emotions, questions, doubts, and hopes with Him. In JoyKeeper, Suzie offers practical steps to do just that.
Discover a free 5-day JoyKeeper Bible reading plan for you at Bible.com.
(As an Amazon Associate, Girlfriends in God earns A SMALL COMMISSION from qualifying purchases using this paid link.)
© 2022 by Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
We played Red Light/Green Light ALL the time as kids! I’m looking forward to teaching it to our grandchildren and putting it into practice as you have.
And the practice of Red Light/Green Light in our Spiritual life is spot on! I immediately thought of the Serenity Prayer:
God, please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change (red light),
The courage to change the things I can (green light),
And the wisdom to know the difference (yellow light).
Thank you 🙏
Maura, (what a beautiful name) — I also played this game growing up. I was the skinny girl who tried to hold the person back as they ran through the chain of arms. I’m so thankful that God’s voice is gentle and catches me when I try to run when He longs for me to be still.
Suzanne, Thank you for this great devotional!
The previous comment…couldn’t have stated it any better!!
This devotion has given me a blessing this am!
Carol, when I write it’s usually because I need to hear the words myself. <3 Praying we all hear His gentle voice today.
Thank you for your words,Suzie!They spoke to me and reminded me of how God deals with us.
<3 Thank you, Beverley.
I love this way of deciding which way to respond to my emotions! There is no uncertainty in my mind that The Holy Spirit faithfully speaks to me in numerous ways, reminding me of how God takes care of His children!
I love that, Cathy. He speaks to us so individually. We may think it has to look or sound or be a certain way, when God is so creative to speak to us in ways that resonate with who we are (who He created us to be).
Thank you! It helps to know when to stop, be still, and when to go.God is awesome, and so real in my life. I lost my husband Jan. 5, 2021. Grief is a lonely walk, but I know that I am not alone. God is with me, the Holy Spirit is here to comfort and guide. Many times I’m not sure which of anything. This devotional has been a blessing to me. We cant charge full speed ahead. God is in control, His sweet Holy Spirit is here comforting and guiding.
Oh Cynthia, I’m so sorry. I hurt with you over such a great loss. Praying for comfort and hope and surprising moments of joy today for you.
Father in Heaven: YELLOW!
Me: But Lord, I wanted—
Father: Careful, girl!
Me: Yellow? Again? Are you sure?
Father: Daughter…
Me: Right, of course; but what now? First, yellow then red and I have to start all over, and—
Father: Yellow doesn’t always turn to red. You’re not driving a car, you know.
Me: Oh. Oh?
Father: A little patience on your part is called for right now.
Me: Oh. Okay. Sure…please give me patience right now then!
Father: Daughter…
Me: I know. You know I’m kidding. You know everything, come to think of it. You know when the next green light will come along. You always know; I don’t. Well, I’m off to the grocery store!
Father: Yellow!
Me: What??
Father: You’re forgetting your shopping list!
Me: …oh…thanks
Father: You’re welcome.
That was fun! <3
I’ve tried going green light with this situation & it just blew up on me…I have 3 adult daughters, that do not get along. For close to 22 years it’s been 2 against 1, now the last 5 years the table turned & its a 2 against 1, but different daughters. I have tried to resolve their issues for years but only backfired on me, to where it was I they ended up resenting. So now I realize the Lord has placed me at YELLOW light!! I know I must step back and let the Lord take this burden from me!!🙏🙏 I know that one day the Lord will place in their hearts the GREEN light, to love each other again. So I pray everyday, that these relationships will be restored!!!
Hola Suzie, el devociónal llegó en el momento preciso. Gracias Dios poderoso.
Hola, Carola. Gracias, estoy muy contento de que hayas compartido esto conmigo
Beautifuly said how I long to always hear God’s clear voice in the red, green and yellow moments of my life, and i rejoice in the fact that I have heard him before, and i trust if if I listen will hear him again,I pray for the courage and faith to always do as he says because as you said he knows whats around every corner
What a beautiful prayer. <3
Yellow – I need to let God be in control and take care of the people around me, while He protects me today. I’m returning to school (I’m a teacher) after a day off. My father in law died Saturday. My emotions are still all over. It doesn’t take much for to start crying. People will be will be well meaningful today. I need to trust God to take care of me.
Oh Rebecca, I’m so sorry for your loss. Praying comfort and protection over your heart. Thank you for sharing.