Next Generation LeadershipSample

The Necessity of Guardrails

GUARDRAILS are important because they protect you. When you’re driving late at night and taking those curves in the dark, those guardrails are a safety precaution. Without them there to mark the way and keep you on the road, you’re in danger.

You need them in life too. Establishing guardrails keep you on a safe path away from evil. Putting them in place keeps you from wandering off track and engaging in what’s unhealthy.

So, how do you establish a guardrail? What does that look like? Here are a few tips to help:

1. Identify Your Areas of Weakness (Psalm 139:23-24)
Honest reflection is important and without it you might miss where your weakness lies. Set aside some time with God and ask Him to examine your heart; to bring to the surface anything that might be a struggle for you. Once you can identify where you struggle the most, you’ll be able to establish how to avoid going there.

2. Make a List (Ezekiel 18:27-28)
Make a list of your weaknesses or potential problem areas. Under each make a list of things you can do to protect yourself. No matter how much you dislike the guardrail or how inconvenient it might be, put it down.

Guardrails aren’t meant to be convenient; they are meant to be a protection. Avoiding sin must have a do-whatever-it-takes attitude! Although your temptation is not the same as sinning, the principle in Ezekiel still stands. Examine your weaknesses and turn towards righteousness.

3. Establish the Guardrails (James 4:17)
It’s one thing to know what to do and a completely other thing to actually do it. If you know what to do and don’t do it, that’s a dangerous place to be.

If you want to flourish in life, it means protecting yourself. There’s freedom in obedience!

4. Stick With It (Proverbs 4:23)
It’s a fact the enemy doesn’t want you to flourish; he doesn’t want you to stick to these guardrails. He’ll do whatever it takes to wear you down, discourage you, and get you to give up.

Take up your guard, put on the armor of God, and prepare to watch over yourself with due diligence. Stay true to the path of righteousness and life will flow abundantly through you.