Guardrails: Do you have yours?

[Raine]

We talked about guardrails the other night at Young Adult Bible Study and I found it really refreshing... Obviously, I cannot go into the depth that the video did, by Andy Stanley, but if you are interested feel free to look it up. I'm not sure if its online...

It focused on the following versus.

[h=3]Ephesians 5:15-21[/h]New International Version (NIV)

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Basically, for this discussion sake, guardrails, like the real ones, are needed in our personal daily lives, defined as: A personal standard of behavior that becomes a matter of conscience. We need guardrails in every significant area of our lives, because they protect us from the danger zones, where we'll likely be hurt. These guardrails help us to avoid the big regrets of life. Guardrails aren't there to prevent accidents, but they are there to protect us from whatever is on the other side of the guardrail, or are there to prevent injuries from becoming death; like God tries to protect us from being swallowed up in sin and creating scars for ourselves.

Society often draws the line for us, but does not put up guardrails. However, God does provide these, but sometimes we can be ignorant or unaware of them. And often the Holy Spirit speaks to us to reveal danger zones. Guardrails should be personal, because we all have different weaknesses.

I could go verse by verse interpretation, but it would be more interesting to see everyone's interpretation and opinion.

And like in my signature, he pointed out something that really caught my attention that made me realized that this is why I've had so many downfalls in life... The problem isn't that people plan to screw up their lives, its that they don't have a plan not to.

Questions to think about:

• Do you have guardrails in your life? (Morally, ethically, in relationships, spiritually, financially, sexually, hobbies, personal struggles, and the list goes on)
• Have you screwed up because you lacked these guardrails?
• How has God been speaking to you in terms of this? What areas are you weak in that He is desiring you to protect yourself from?

 

[christian74]

I like Andy Stanley for being practical, touching our daily life aspects.

 

[tourist]

We talked about guardrails the other night at Young Adult Bible Study and I found it really refreshing... Obviously, I cannot go into the depth that the video did, by Andy Stanley, but if you are interested feel free to look it up. I'm not sure if its online...

It focused on the following versus.

Basically, for this discussion sake, guardrails, like the real ones, are needed in our personal daily lives, defined as: A personal standard of behavior that becomes a matter of conscience. We need guardrails in every significant area of our lives, because they protect us from the danger zones, where we'll likely be hurt. These guardrails help us to avoid the big regrets of life. Guardrails aren't there to prevent accidents, but they are there to protect us from whatever is on the other side of the guardrail, or are there to prevent injuries from becoming death; like God tries to protect us from being swallowed up in sin and creating scars for ourselves.

Society often draws the line for us, but does not put up guardrails. However, God does provide these, but sometimes we can be ignorant or unaware of them. And often the Holy Spirit speaks to us to reveal danger zones. Guardrails should be personal, because we all have different weaknesses.

I could go verse by verse interpretation, but it would be more interesting to see everyone's interpretation and opinion.

And like in my signature, he pointed out something that really caught my attention that made me realized that this is why I've had so many downfalls in life... The problem isn't that people plan to screw up their lives, its that they don't have a plan not to.

Questions to think about:

• Do you have guardrails in your life? (Morally, ethically, in relationships, spiritually, financially, sexually, hobbies, personal struggles, and the list goes on)
• Have you screwed up because you lacked these guardrails?
• How has God been speaking to you in terms of this? What areas are you weak in that He is desiring you to protect yourself from?

You wrote a very insightful and well written article. I believe the enclosed scripture is a concise outline to begin one's plan on how to avoid the major pitfalls and traps that can damage and hinder your personal life and your walk and talk with the Lord. Yes, I have most certainly screwed up, big time, by making a poor choice for my first wife. This had serious repercussions that almost destroyed me. If it were not for the grace and love of God in the whispers from his heart and his encouragement to me I may have never recovered and to become the type of person that I now am. Scripture, like the one cited above and the many other pertinent ones unique to my own understanding and comprehension, have effected a major impact and change in my own personal walk and talk with God. One must never be complacent and drop one's guard less danger overtake and conquer you. I love how you eloquently stated it - guardrail. I believe that God is desiring to protect me from myself. Excellent thread!

 

[Raine]

Just to clarify, all the insight goes to Andy Stanley and God.

I have allowed myself to get hurt in many areas of my life because of not having guardrails. Not only that, but I have hurt those that love me most because of my careless actions.

Drinking for example, an example also used in the verse.

As a young person, few years ago... my parents always said to me, "Don't drink" and society says, "Drink responsibly." But they never taught me how to put up a guardrail against this temptation. I didn't understand why I shouldn't drink... never fully comprehended the consequences and sadly, would indulge myself in this activity on occasion. It was a way to quench my sadness, my loneliness, of keeping friends... but God revealed to me the damage of drinking, luckily nothing extreme ever happened, but it didn't have to. Not only that, but I led others into a drinking/partying life, including a sibling, which I now regret considerably.

It is important for us to recognize that being drunk is foolish not because of the act itself, but because of the consequences.

I should have put up many guardrails in this area of my life... Drinking leads to loss of control, and now I know that I have a weakness for it, so I have not allowed myself to go into environments that provides this opportunity for the past year... however, this is a personal guardrail for me because it is my weakness. God has also given me much revelation... in your loneliness, seek God. In your sadness, seek God. In your desire for companionship, seek God. This is a guardrail that I am slowly developing... because only He can fulfill me.

 

[tourist]

Just to clarify, all the insight goes to Andy Stanley and God.

I have allowed myself to get hurt in many areas of my life because of not having guardrails. Not only that, but I have hurt those that love me most because of my careless actions.

Drinking for example, an example also used in the verse.

As a young person, few years ago... my parents always said to me, "Don't drink" and society says, "Drink responsibly." But they never taught me how to put up a guardrail against this temptation. I didn't understand why I shouldn't drink... never fully comprehended the consequences and sadly, would indulge myself in this activity on occasion. It was a way to quench my sadness, my loneliness, of keeping friends... but God revealed to me the damage of drinking, luckily nothing extreme ever happened, but it didn't have to. Not only that, but I led others into a drinking/partying life, including a sibling, which I now regret considerably.

It is important for us to recognize that being drunk is foolish not because of the act itself, but because of the consequences.

I should have put up many guardrails in this area of my life... Drinking leads to loss of control, and now I know that I have a weakness for it, so I have not allowed myself to go into environments that provides this opportunity for the past year... however, this is a personal guardrail for me because it is my weakness. God has also given me much revelation... in your loneliness, seek God. In your sadness, seek God. In your desire for companionship, seek God. This is a guardrail that I am slowly developing... because only He can fulfill me.

Another insightful aspect of a guardrail. This is a must read.

 

[maxwel]

I should have put up many guardrails in this area of my life... Drinking leads to loss of control, and now I know that I have a weakness for it, so I have not allowed myself to go into environments that provides this opportunity for the past year... however, this is a personal guardrail for me because it is my weakness. God has also given me much revelation... in your loneliness, seek God. In your sadness, seek God. In your desire for companionship, seek God. This is a guardrail that I am slowly developing... because only He can fulfill me.

That sounds pretty wise.

God will often fulfill those needs in additional ways later... but we need to start at the source.

 

[Arlene89]

This thread reminded me of a post I saw in my facebook newsfeed earlier today:

 

[tourist]

I may have been on the wrong side of the guardrail to start with at the time of its construction. And then I got slammed.

 

[oyster67]

Yes, I have guardrails. Personal guardrails.

Yes, we have all sinned. Praise God that grace, mercy, and forgiveness abounds.

I sometimes lack kindness, sensitivity and control over my tongue. In a way, this forum acts as a guardrail. I get to look things over, backspace, and sometimes delete before I strike the send key.

 

[oyster67]

This thread reminded me of a post I saw in my facebook newsfeed earlier today:

View attachment 80742

I used to be like that. Maybe we all started out that way? God needed to teach me humility so I could see and realize what a weak and vulnerable person I was. I needed to see my need. Need for salvation, sound doctrine, prayer, guardrails, so many things.

 

[Raine]

Yes, I have guardrails. Personal guardrails.

Yes, we have all sinned. Praise God that grace, mercy, and forgiveness abounds.

I sometimes lack kindness, sensitivity and control over my tongue. In a way, this forum acts as a guardrail. I get to look things over, backspace, and sometimes delete before I strike the send key.

When I think of my tongue... Before saying anything, I ask myself, "Are you building them up or tearing them down? Is it out of love or the desire to be right?" God has been revealing to me my weaknesses with my tongue as well.

 

[tourist]

A new guardrail was installed for a certain matter. I find that I am a more effective servant of the Lord if I operate within the boundary's that were set for my benefit and for those that maybe affected.