Have you ever felt yourself running on empty? Becoming easily angered, frustrated, or overly emotional? In my life, I have found that when I begin to feel this way I begin to live according to my flesh more and live by the spirit less. I am less loving, patient, grace-filled, and compassionate among other things.
In my reflections and quiet time, I asked God sincerely what I could do to live more by the spirit and less by the flesh and He very clearly answered. I heard Him whisper to my heart that I needed to take more time out to recenter myself on Him when I feel overwhelmed.
In this post, I want to dive into ways to reset and recenter on God when life becomes hectic and things fall into chaos. One way I have been learning is to set boundaries. I don’t just mean with the people in our lives but also with situations and thoughts. So come with me as we discuss how boundaries are a helpful way to reset and recenter on God and how we can set them in our lives.
God Created boundaries.
In the beginning, the first boundary God set was between the sky and the waters and between the water and the land. “when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.”( Proverbs 8:29)’ The author of proverbs is echoing Genisis “Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.” (Genesis 1:6).
As we can see God was the first to set boundaries. As images of God, we too need to set boundaries in our lives. God Created man and woman in His image, in His image He created them male and female (Genesis 1:27).
Take a time-out.
The boundaries God set didn’t end with creation Jesus demonstrated healthy boundaries with His time on earth. Often, Jesus went away from others and prayed. He used boundaries to create time for His emotional and spiritual needs ( Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12, Mark 14:32). I imagine He went away from others to pray to fill His spiritual and mental tank after people took so much from Him.
In my personal life, times come when people and circumstances take a lot from me and leave me feeling empty and drained. In those moments, I notice the urge to act out of my flesh more.
Jesus only did a few miracles in his hometown of Nazareth because they were not receptive to his message, they only wanted to see miracles and were not interested in the Good News He had to share with them (Matthew 13:58).
Sometimes in our own lives, there can be people and circumstances that demand more than we can give and in those moments it is okay to set away for a time or all altogether leaving the situation in God’s hands. It is better to acknowledge when we are in over our heads than to act out of our flesh and regret it later.
Putting boundaries in our lives
- Slow down and recognize when we are getting overwhelmed. When we do become overwhelmed we can step away from the situation and take time to pray as Jesus so often did.
- Ask God where you need to take a step back from a situation or person and place it in His hands.
- Live a life of constant prayer. Like Nehemiah, when you can’t take a step back, your knee knee-deep in a situation, get in the habit of whispering a short prayer asking for God’s help and wisdom. You would be surprised what a difference this can make in a situation.
Conclusion
Today we have talked about how to set boundaries to help you stay centered on God and to live from a spirit-filled place instead of from the flesh. It can be easy to get overwhelmed. God teaches us through the Bible that boundaries are not only created by Him but a healthy thing to help us stay focused on what really matters.
Throughout this next week look for places in your life where you can take a step back and re-center yourself on God. When you do feel free to comment in the comment section below on your experience and whether it has helped you to live a more spirit-filled place in your life.
May God bless and keep you this week my friends and I hope to see you back here next week as we look at more ways to live a life with more of Jesus.
More Of Jesus Please 
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