What Is Limiting You
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
Proverbs 23: 7
Exodus 3-4
SHOW NOTES:
Do you ever wonder what your life would look like if you just took the limits off? To discover that answer, the first question is: what is limiting you? Chances are, most of the limitations on our lives result from our own thinking and the narratives we have chosen to believe or adapt to that are restricting us from what God wants to do in our lives. Limits are nothing short of frustrating, but when you change how you think, everything around you changes too!
A limit is a point or a level that something either does not or may not extend or pass; a limit is a barrier in life. When you start to think about what you think about, you realize many of the narratives you believe aren’t true at all, and through God’s Word, you can recreate your story. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Our thinking and the ability to change our thinking can change everything.
The Bible is full of stories of individuals who had limiting thoughts about themselves. Moses, for example, struggled to believe the plans and purpose God was laying out for his life. In Exodus 3-4, Moses responded to God with what he felt would limit him from leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Each of Moses’ limits was self-imposed– either what he thought about himself or fear of how others would perceive him. His limits, like those we place on ourselves, can actually be excuses to take the easy way out or bow out of what God calls us to do. You can give in to the limits, make excuses, or press on. The choice is yours.
In order to break through limits, it’s necessary to identify what those limits are in the first place. Figure out what ideas you are ingesting about the world, yourself, and others that have become the constant replay in your mind. Beliefs can become the platform we operate our whole lives. Thoughts can make us feel out of control about life, and if we are not careful, we can allow the lies of our thought lives to create a world that isn’t even reality. Yes, you can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control how you think and respond.
Two of the most common limitations are the things you believe about other people and the self-narrative you have about yourself.
Sometimes, we focus too much on what other people think about us. We don’t want to let people down or operate from a level of perfectionism that makes us fear messing up in front of others. Maybe you’ve been rejected in the past or have developed low self-esteem. Don’t allow what you think others may think about you to box you in or keep you from the destiny God is calling you to. Decide if you’re going to let the opinions of others limit your life.
The second common area of limitations is the most dangerous– the self-narrative we believe about ourselves. Our voice is the loudest we will hear and the truest one that we will believe. God could call you to do amazing things, but if the standard of how you see yourself is less than what God says about you, it will constantly be a barrier you’re up against. The false self-narrative or negative self-talk will be a default setting you continuously revert to.
To accomplish everything God has set forth for you in your life, you have to break free from any limits. Are you limited by what others may think about you, your mindsets, self-talk? The good news is there is no limit you cannot break through or break off if you want to! Don’t be afraid of failure, don’t be afraid of letting people down, don’t be afraid of not being good enough…just take the risk. Obey what God asks you to do–take the limits off, decide to rethink how you think, and see God do exceedingly, abundantly more in your life this year!