Skip to main content

Resilience Begins with Boundaries

 


When life shifts, it can feel like the ground beneath us has moved. Roles change, relationships evolve, and the boundaries that once gave us a sense of stability may no longer hold the same shape. In these moments, it’s easy to feel unsettled or even lost.

But here’s the truth: boundaries are not just about restriction; they are about direction. They remind us of what matters most and help us live in alignment with our values. When the old markers fall away, new boundaries can emerge—ones that guide us into growth, rest, or deeper connection.

Resilience in transitions isn’t about bouncing back to what was. It’s about discovering how to move forward with steadiness, even when the path looks different than before. Sometimes the “pleasant places” aren’t immediately obvious, but they become clear as we pause, reflect, and choose to trust that new boundaries can bring new freedom.

As you navigate your own transitions, consider:

  • Where do you need to redraw a boundary to protect your energy or values?
  • What new “pleasant places” might be opening up, even if they feel unfamiliar?
  • How can you give yourself permission to grow into this new space with compassion and courage?

Life will always bring change, but you have the resilience to navigate it. And as you do, you may just discover that the new boundaries falling into place are leading you toward a life of deeper purpose and peace.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March Newsletter

  SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. An unexpected and unplanned trip led me to see God’s marvelous and wonderful work at the Assist Pregnancy Center. I learned from the staff that this pregnancy center is unique and different in that the population they serve are women who come already with an 85-90% decision made of aborting their babies. The medical staff who are in the rooms with the women during their ultrasounds share Jesus with them and are compassionate witnesses to each baby as they are seen, valued, and loved. If the mother decides to have the baby the center walks alongside with the mother and family. I had the precious privilege to facilitate a training with all the staff of the pregnancy center to talk about the Wounds from the Work.  Listening to their stories of how the Lord called them to work at this pregnancy center and what the cost has been to them, and their families was sacred ground.  Creating a safe place for them to be seen and heard in thei...
Post a Comment
Read more

February Newsletter

    SHANNON’S CORNER Why I do what I do? Loneliness and the lack of support and connection is often the lived experience that ministry workers encounter, and it grieves my heart  because this has been my lived experience as well,  my story of burnout . My mission?  Connect. Nurture. Grow. The TCK Connect Chai Chat is where students talk about specific issues they face.  This month students talked about loneliness.  It is a part of their lives as they are always on the outside, seen as a foreigner no matter if in the host country or here in the U.S.A.  The students describe loneliness as a lack of a peer group, disconnected, and being unknown.  Withdrawing even more than usual is their way of coping with loneliness. What helps with their loneliness is joining the TCK Connect calls, talking with friends if they are available and listening to music.  It is beautiful to see how God is using TCK Connect in the st...
Post a Comment
Read more

October Newsletter

  SHANNON’S CORNER The Saga Continues… The trip to Malaysia consisted of a two-day spiritual retreat with the theme of ‘Come Away With Me’ and a six-day conference with about 230 missionaries who serve in some aspect of translating the Scriptures. One of the many people who I met was a missionary who served in Cameroon for many years and now is in a new role. As he was sharing, most his words were very negative and depressive. I encouraged him to sign up for a time of prayer and care. At the end of the retreat, this missionary shared with me that he did have a session and I could see that his whole countenance changed, and he was hopeful. His new word he used to describe where he was now is ‘delightful.’ Our time there was creating a safe space for these missionaries to have a place to share what they are struggling with and to connect with Jesus. One missionary is at a crossroads in her life. Another finds himself in the midst of betrayal. A missionary is in a new role as a caregi...
Post a Comment
Read more