Guardrails: Avoiding Regrets In Your LifeSample

Whether at home or at work, as part of a friend group or a family, we’ve all learned how to monitor and modify our behavior. Sit up straight. Say please. Wear this. Do that. 

Yet, every once in a while, we say or do things that just don’t make sense. It’s like something spills out—maybe an angry outburst or bitter remark. We may even say afterward, "I don’t know where that came from!" 

But we do know, if we’re honest and bold enough to face it. It comes from inside us. Both Jesus and King Solomon tell us what’s in our hearts is the problem. 

We need guardrails for our hearts. Because, eventually, our behavior (on the outside) will mirror what’s going on inside. 

There are four emotions that should ding our consciences. They should cause us to pause and look inward to see what’s going on in our hearts. They are guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy.

Guilt says, "I owe you." I owe you something because I took something from you. In response to guilt, confess. Confess to the person; bring it to the light.

Anger says, "You owe me." You hurt me or took something from me. In response to anger, forgive. Forgive the person who owes you. Let them off the hook. 

Greed says, "I owe me." Greed is the assumption that it’s all for my consumption. In response to greed, give. Become a generous giver. No strings. No score.

Jealousy says, "Life owes me." Someone else got what/who I deserve. In response to jealousy, celebrate the other person. Write them a note. Compliment them on the very thing you may be jealous of.

When we bump into these emotional guardrails, we need to pay attention. They’re alerting us to danger. Ignore the warning and regret will be waiting on the other side. 

If you’ve enjoyed this plan, watch Andy Stanley's five video messages about Guardrails - plus dozens of other free Bible study videos - at http://anthology.study.