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How many of us chafe at our boundaries in life?
(Be sure to read to the end, as there’s an announcement!)
On vacation this past summer, I spied a sign that said, “Stay in your lane.” We were driving through a construction zone with solid white lanes bordering our vehicle.
This simple sign challenged me to consider what it means to “stay in my lane.” I’ve drifted into other lanes several times in my life, and it always happened when I took my eyes off of God and placed them somewhere else.
Maybe I focused on what was happening in a friend’s life, or I was too busy to take time to be still before God so I would know His best plan for me.
When we drive, lanes show us where to aim our cars. They provide boundaries that get us where we need to go safely. We’ve all witnessed drivers swerving into a different lane while on their phones. Maybe we’ve been the ones who got distracted by something outside the window and veered into someone else’s lane.
When driving, it’s crucial we stay in our lanes to lessen the chance of injuring someone else. What about in life?
God places boundaries in our lives to guide us on His ideal path. But choosing to be content to remain in the lane God has us in, especially when our eyes stray to what’s happening in someone else’s lane, can challenge us.
7 inspiring Ways to Thrive Within Our Boundaries in Life—God places boundaries in our lives to guide us on His ideal path #boundaries #tellhisstory #contentment Click To Tweet
What tempts us to drive out of our lanes?
Distractions
Maybe we’re distracted by some good thing going on in someone else’s life. Perhaps we’re literally distracted by screens— phones, computers, television. Many things can distract us from remaining focused and staying in our lane.
Wanting what we want more than what God wants for us.
In some of my life seasons, God had me in the “infertility lane.” I chafed, researched how to get out of that lane, and tried to switch to a different path. But God, in His goodness, had some important lessons I could only learn by accepting His boundaries in life at that time.
Wishing for a different story for our lives
Whether we wish this because of regrets from past choices or circumstances that seem too painful in the present, this discontentment will guide us off-course from God’s best for us.
Insecurity and comparison
Either one of these lures us to focus on ourselves rather than on God. Both leave us unhappy and unsettled. They may lead us to try to switch lanes when God doesn’t want us to.
Why should we live within our boundaries in life as we understand them?
My simple answer is when we trust God more than ourselves, our lives will be richer.
7 inspiring Ways to Thrive Within Our Boundaries in Life—why live within God's boundaries for us? when we trust God more than ourselves, our lives will be richer. #boundaries #tellhissstory #trustgod Click To TweetWhen we believe we know what’s best for us, we shortchange God’s omnipotent wisdom. We discredit the good plans He has for our lives.
But when trusting God guides us to accept His white lines in our lives, we will know peace. It’s not usually easy, but it’s always worthwhile to trust God’s boundaries in life.
How to thrive with boundaries in life
What helps you may be slightly different from what helps me, but here are a few general thoughts for staying in our own lane:
Mindsets
- Accept that God knows better than we do. If we say we are Christians, we have chosen obedience to the One who loves us most.
- Pray fervently. When we long to have different boundaries in life, it’s good to pray about this. God wants us to come to Him with what’s on our hearts. Prayer opens intimate communication with our Father.
- Seek godly counsel. If we’re struggling with where we are in life, it’s wise to talk with a trusted someone to gain a different perspective.
- Always read God’s word. Especially when we’re discouraged about where we’re at in life, His life-giving words refresh our hearts and minds, renew our perspective, and remind us of God’s love for us.
Heartsets
- Gratitude. God’s word tells us to have a heart of gratitude. When we thank the Lord for where He’s showing up in our lives, our focus is off of us and on Him. Gratitude also helps us remember God’s faithfulness to us.
- Remember, there’s a bigger story than what we see at the moment. God is a multi-faceted God. We’re only capable of seeing our current situation, and even that is confined by each moment. The Lord knows the bigger picture of what He’s working in our lives and the impact this will have on the lives around us. This leads to the next step.
- Determine to trust God, even when we don’t like where we are. When we believe He sees beyond the right now—He sees behind and ahead of us—we can believe He will bring about His best for us . . . if we trust Him more than ourselves.
Conclusion
On vacation, those solid white lines defined each lane. Though some people crossed them to change lanes, we chose to trust that it was safer to stay where we were, even if we thought we knew what was ahead of us. And we arrived at our destination safe and eager for the day’s experiences.
Ultimately, the best truths to hold onto when living within boundaries in life include remembering God is faithful. He is good. His plan for us is perfect. When we believe these things, we will trust Him, even when we may not understand why the Lord has us where He does. And God honors that trust.
What about you? What have you learned when hemmed in by boundaries in life? How do you choose to trust God more than yourself?
***Beginning next week (on November 7th), the Tell His Story link-up will move over to Andrew’s place. The link-up will open each Tuesday at 5:00 Mountain Time. He’s got some great posts coming up. Those who know Andrew, know he’s a great encourager. For those who haven’t stopped by his blog home yet, I think you’ll find yourself challenged and uplifted by his words!
Thanks for being so encouraging over the years. I am thankful for the connections made as the Tell His Story hostess. I’m looking forward to staying connected on my personal blog. I’ll continue posting on the first, third, and fifth Tuesdays each month. Let’s stay in fellowship!
Come share your story at the Tell His Story linkup. Connect and be encouraged by like-minded friends! #tellhisstory #linkup Click To TweetEach week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Hi Jeanne,
My husband and I have been talking about boundaries with individuals in our lives. Your post reminds me that I need to remain vigilant not to stray beyond the boundaries others have for me, as well.
Hope you are well!
Blessings,
Tammy
Tammy, I completely relate to needing boundaries with some people in our lives. I understand the need to stay vigilant. I find that when I’m too busy, my vigilance sometimes declines. I also appreciate the reminder to respect the boundaries others have. Thanks for sharing your wisdom, my friend!
Jeanne, your number one mindset is life-changing all by itself, isn’t it? Accepting that God truly does know better than us!
Right, Donna?! When I live with that perspective guiding me, my whole being is a lot more peaceful! Thank you so much for stopping by!
7 important ways to stay in our own lanes! We are so prone to stray into someone else’s lane!
Kathy, so true. It’s easy to wander to lanes we shouldn’t be in.
Boundaries can be good for us. 🙂 Thank you for a great message. Have a blessed week!
Melissa, agreed! Boundaries, I’m thinking, are essential to living the best life God has for us. 🙂 I hope your week is blessed too!
Recently a heard of word that I felt spoke directly to me. The speaker described someone who was looking around, getting distracted, when God wanted them to look to Him. I can look at what other people are doing and get off my lane, so to speak! I’m learning Word mapping to study scripture, and pray for God’s nudging to always put Him first in all things, and His direction especially for my writing. Lovely illustration about staying in one’s lane, including your photos!
Yes, Lynn. When we look around rather than at our Father or where He’s focusing us, we veer into other people’s lanes. I’m going to have to look up Word Mapping. I haven’t heard about that. Thank you for sharing your encouragement and wisdom here!
Such great tips here, Jeanne. Thank you! I tend to wander into the insecurity, comparison, and people pleasing lanes. Dwelling on God’s immovable and faithful character and His inexhaustible love and mercy, remembering my identity in Him, and finding His promises in His Word are what gets me back into the lane He wants me in. Not always easy, but I have to stop and take a deep breath and purposely set my heartset tires towards Him and His lane again and again. Thank you for hosting “Tell Your Story” here! Love and blessings to you!
Trudy, you know you and I have both struggled with wandering into those lanes. You’re right though. When we take our eyes off of the wrong focus and put them on the truth and unchangeableness of God’s character, this can help reorient us to where our thoughts and hearts need to be. I’m so thankful for your transparency and encouragement, friend!
Jeanne, thank you again for hosting us. God bless your new adventure.
Thank you for this encouraging post Jeanne. And thank you for hosting these years. 😊
Blessings, Jennifer
Thanks, Jennifer! I’m looking forward to staying connected with you through our blogs. I have so appreciated your faithful comments and insights shared here!
Thanks, Debbie! I’m looking forward to continuing to blog but also to hopefully have more time to focus on the other areas of my writing. 🙂 I appreciate your wise words in your blog posts and your comments here!
Thank you for your LONG faithfulness here!
THanks, Michele! It’s been such a blessing to host the link-up!
Thank you for hosting Tell His Story, Jeanne! Praying God’s blessings upon you as you write and publish.
Thanks, Lisa! I’ll look forward to staying connected with you through our blogs. 🙂
Great tips, Jeanne. This reminds of of when Peter asked Jesus about John, and Jesus said, “What is that to you? You follow me.” I can’t serve in my lane effectively if I have one eye on others’ lanes.
Thanks so much for hosting Tell His Story for so long. I wish you the best in your writing and other endeavors!
Barbara, I thought about Peter and John too and how Peter wanted to know things he didn’t need to know in his lane. Yes, keeping our hearts, thoughts, and eyes focused on the lane God has us in is the only way to live effectively and fully for God. Thanks for your well wishes. 🙂 I’m still blogging, but I’m also hoping I’ll have a little more time for my other writing.
Thank you so much for hosting us in your space for so long, Jeanne. I’ve loved visiting here and will continue following your blog just the same. I have to keep boundaries even for blog-following, and you’re in my boundary. 🙂
I also appreciate Andrew stepping up to take over this linkup. I’ll look forward to seeing the posts he’ll write. He’s so creative.
Lisa, THANK YOU. Your words mean a lot to me. I keep boundaries too for blog-following. You’re in my boundary. You are a blessing and an encouragement. I’m looking forward to Andrew’s posts too!
Jeanne, thanks for hosting for all these years. I’m guessing that this might be a bittersweet move for you, but I admire you taking this step. Enjoy a bit more freedom to come and go, write when you want, take a breather.
Lots of changes going on in the blogging world these days. I feel like we’re embracing this reality as we figure out who we are in this next season. But for us die-hards, it’s part of our DNA. We may shift things up but we’re here to stay.
Enjoy!
Linda, this is bittersweet, but it’s time to hand over the link-up. I am still blogging, but as you said, there will be a bit more freedom and flexibility, which is what I need right now. There ARE lots of changes in the blogging world. It’s definitely a part of my writing-DNA! I’m so thankful for your faithfulness as a blogger and a friend!
Jeanne, I’m really honoured to be hosting Tell His Story. My first post will offer Scriptural tie-ins for not getting stuck in the past.
Please, all, stop by, starting next Tuesday at 5am Mountain Time.
From my lane I often swerve
because I feel the world is mine,
and live with the boundless verve
of a jolly Frankenstein,
blundering through social walls
to say ‘Wassup?’ to the elite,
then skipping through their formal halls,
shoeless in my unwashed feet,
and crashing out ornate French door,
only to return, of course,
clippy-clop ‘cross parquet floor
upon my large and cheerful horse
who leaves an equine calling card
that some wish left out in the yard.
Fun poem, Andrew! In seriousness, I suspect we each have that “thing” that tries to swerve us from the lane God wants us in. Looking forward to stopping by your place next Tuesday! 🙂