Boundaries, Habits, Routines- Oh, My!

“You have established all the boundaries of the earth;
You have made summer and winter” (Psalm 74:17 NASB).

When you hear the word, “boundaries”, do you think restrictive or freedom?

I have to admit, I’ve always associated boundaries with something I can’t have or do.

God has tucked me away for a while now, learning the “ins and outs” of setting boundaries and developing habits and routines in various areas of my life.

My calendar has a few extra white spaces, compared to the overloaded schedule I’ve tried to maintain, in the past. I think God just opened the gate at some point to see how many activities I would try to take on as He watched with a smile!

Have you, like me, tried to “do” too much “for” God and as a result spent less time “with” God? Did you run yourself ragged and fall in a frustrated heap at His feet asking Him how you could possibly continue this crazy schedule and survive? Like it was God’s fault!

He was not the One insisting I run breathlessly throughout the day to accomplish more and more. My schedule was out of control. I was juggling too many plates.

As I pondered why I’ve tried to do too much, I discovered I tend to do just about anything to justify not doing the one “hard thing” that God is calling me to do. If I fill my calendar with so many to-dos, I don’t have time to do what is uncomfortable and challenging that God has asked me to do. Even investigating new products to make our bathrooms shine becomes appealing! That’s hard for me to confess…

When the possibility of failure is looming, we can distract ourselves with almost anything. Amazingly, though, when we slow down we realize that apart from God, we can do nothing. And, if He has called us to do something, He will help us do it.

Boundaries with time, schedules, nutrition, exercise, relationships, finances, and sleep allow us to fulfill our purpose. Boundaries open up more time to spend with God. Boundaries are our friends!

In the past, I saw boundaries as restrictive, but now I know they are given to me by God to corral immature, fleshly desires and to grow me up to become who He created me to be. Boundaries allow for freedom and safety. That’s a good thing!

I’ve learned to ask, “Will it help me reach my goal?”, before allowing something new into my schedule, an unplanned food on my plate, a purchase, staying up later than I should, and so on.

Distractions, excuses, and wanting our own way never lead to God’s best for us.

If we take a step back and look at our situations prayerfully, we may find that God is setting a boundary and withholding something from us for our good. God knows the future and what it takes for us to fulfill our purpose.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV).

Is God trying to get your attention by leading you to set boundaries in a particular area? How would it feel to finally conquer an area of your life in which you have been struggling to overcome? It’s possible when we surrender to God.

A friend mentioned recently that it is our “joy” to know that God is in control, and we are not! Experience the joy of boundaries and relax in the freedom they bring, through Jesus.

When I can get past the old, unproductive ways of perfectionism, trusting God as the author and finisher of it all, life is such a joy!

On the flip side, if you are looking for areas of your life to live without boundaries, you might consider what the Bible says:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV).

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12 NKJV).

There are no boundaries for how much God loves us and how we should love others.

It’s all about Jesus! To God be the glory!
Blessings and love, Gayle

© 2019 Gayle Holcomb