My Discernment, A Dangerous Day, and Jesus’ Saving GRACE!!
by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
The week that Chuck the Chick Learns Patience was released at the end of July, I learned a huge lesson in business and in discernment. Needless to say, with this story and situation, Chuck (my fictional, personified character) and I had gleaned more than just patience.
Once the book was finished, I began to set up my August calendar with book events to market it. But I quickly realized I am still learning. My naïveté and my simple trusting nature still pose a problem for my 47-year-old self.
The Invitation
The last Saturday in July, I was invited to visit a business holding an author/book reading event somewhere in Middle Georgia. Two different family members had recommended the location to me, so I felt relatively comfortable visiting because of the connections.
That Saturday morning, I set out to meet the owner at her farm/Agra-tourist location. I should have recognized the Lord was showing me to be watchful. However, despite of several issues, I arrived at the gate ten minutes early, but as soon as I pulled to the gate, my spirit knew something was NOT right.
It wasn’t until later that I realized — God had been warning me for days. Scripture says:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
— Proverbs 3:5–6
For several days before the appointment, I had a strong urgency to cancel. On the morning of the event, my tire was flat — a tire that Chris had just taken to be patched the day before at our local tire shop. This should have been my second warning, but instead I arranged for Chris to drive me to the barn so I could take his F250.
A Gate, a Warning, and a Whisper
The moment I pulled up, my spirit knew something was not right. I immediately began to pray in my prayer language:
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”
— Isaiah 30:21
The “business” turned out to be the yard of a house. I hadn’t been told that. The owner came out to greet me, and I could sense a strong demonic presence. She shared alarming personal details, and when I entered her home to “plan the event,” my spirit was on high alert. I silently asked the Lord, “Jesus, will I need to use my authority inside this house?”
Divine Protection
Her two large bulldogs pressed themselves against me — one at my feet, one at my back — and never left my side. Then the front door opened. Her husband entered, and she whispered urgently, “Call 911 now.”
I stepped outside, called emergency services, and locked myself in the truck. Deputies arrived ten minutes later, and I was able to leave unharmed.
In that moment, I felt the truth of this verse:
“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day… For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
— Psalm 91:5, 11
While driving away from the woman’s house, I recalled those quick series of events! As soon as my discernment began that morning, I immediately began to pray in my prayer language and ask the Lord to go before me, behind me, and beside me.
I entered the gate of the business, which turned out to be in the yard of a house. I was not made aware I was visiting a home because I was led to believe I was meeting at a business. After our introductions, she apologized for not having the gate opened before I arrived, and let me know that she was having issues with her husband.
I laughed and said, “I, too, sometimes had trouble with my husband.” I was joking.
However, her response to me was, “My husband is guilty of the attempted murder of me.”
I suddenly replied, “I do not have problems like that. Not at all.” She explained that she was going through a divorce then gave more details.
The last thing she told me that morning before her husband entered the house was, “I am changing all the locks today.”
I tried to process all that happened in such a short window of time. Finally, I arrived at a four-way stop, I pulled over, shook, prayed, and praised the Lord for protecting me. Protecting me from a volatile domestic situation. Then Jesus spoke clearly:
“I am your only hope — now and every day. No man could have helped you then. Not even the police. I protected you. I delivered you from the evil you stumbled upon. I held back the enemy on your account.”
The Lesson
I never went back. I never participated in her event. However, the Lord has continued to teach me because of this encounter. I now understand: Discernment is not optional for the believer. It is life-saving.
“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
— Hebrews 5:14
Even though I didn’t trust my discernment early on, once I arrived, I did lean fully on Him for guidance, protection, and authority. He saved me.
Now is the day, and now is the time that each follower of Jesus (each man and woman of God) must listen for the voice of the Shepherd and rely on the urging of the Holy Spirit. The Lord has had me practice my discernment and my obedience to it. A week later, I had a doctor’s appointment scheduled. The morning of my appointment He told me to call the office and tell them I had an appointment for 2 pm.
Certainly, I followed His voice. When the receptionist and I spoke, she explained that I didn’t have an appointment because someone had put the appointment on a sticky note, but she had not entered it into the computer. At that moment, we both laughed. She rescheduled the appointment I didn’t ever really have. Without this moment of obedience, I would have made a 30 mile trip for nothing. The Lord is teaching me to listen!
Even now as I contemplate what happened the last weekend in July, I must admit that I still feel nervous as I write this post. Because while I was there that day, fifty miles away from home, I realized not one person knew where I was.
Chris did not even ask. I did not tell. I spoke to my best friend on the way there, but she did not know where I was either. The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit were my only companions and my only champions because not one human knew exactly where I was or whom I was visiting that day. I do not know what I was thinking that day, but I know that the Lord has been teaching me the meaning of discernment and the importance of following ONLY His voice ever since then.
Reflection Questions
- Has there been a time when you ignored God’s warning and later regretted it?
- How does God usually speak to you when He is warning or guiding you?
- What steps can you take to grow in spiritual discernment?
A Prayer for Discernment
Father, thank You for protecting me when I didn’t even understand the danger. Teach me to hear and heed Your warnings before I step into harm’s way. Sharpen my spiritual eyes and ears so I can recognize Your leading instantly. Fill me with Your Spirit and grant me the wisdom to follow Your voice above all others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture Study: Discernment & God’s Guidance
Proverbs 3:5–6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Study Note: True discernment begins with surrender. The more we rely on God instead of our own judgment, the more He can lead us away from harm and toward His will.
Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Study Note: God speaks direction into the lives of those who are listening. Sometimes it’s a quiet prompting, other times an unmistakable warning — but it always lines up with His Word.
Psalm 91:5, 11
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day… For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Study Note: Discernment isn’t just about making wise choices — it’s about trusting that God actively protects His children, even when danger is unseen.
Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Study Note: Spiritual maturity comes through consistent practice. Discernment develops as we continually test what we see and hear against God’s truth.
Discussion Questions:
- Which of these scriptures most challenges you to grow in discernment?
- When was the last time you recognized God’s warning in advance? Did you listen?
- How can you “train” your spiritual senses this week?
Closing Reflection: Walking in Discernment
Discernment is not something we master overnight — it is a gift from God that grows as we walk with Him daily. Each experience, whether a quiet prompting or a dramatic rescue, becomes part of the training ground where our spiritual senses sharpen. The same God who protected me that day is ready and willing to guide you through every step of your journey.
If you ask Him for wisdom, He will give it generously (James 1:5). If you seek His voice, you will hear it. The more we learn to trust His gentle nudges — even when they don’t make sense to our human reasoning — the more we’ll find ourselves living under His protection, led by His Spirit, and walking in His peace.
So lean in. Listen carefully. Test everything against His Word. And above all, remember: your Shepherd loves you enough to both lead and protect you. Follow Him, and you will never be without hope.
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