“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” —Psalm 16:6

We talk a lot about boundaries in relationships—how to set them with others, how to guard our hearts, how to say no. But there’s another kind of boundary that often gets overlooked: the ones we need to place around ourselves.

Women in leadership, ministry, and caregiving roles are especially prone to overfunctioning. We say yes to what God hasn’t asked of us. We feel responsible for what only He can carry. We pour out beyond our limits, convincing ourselves it’s noble. But unchecked overfunctioning doesn’t glorify God—it quietly rebels against His grace.

Psalm 16 reminds us that God is both our portion and our protector. He not only assigns our lot, but draws boundary lines in pleasant places. That means our limitations are not obstacles to overcome—they are gifts to receive.

In a culture that glorifies hustle and praises burnout as proof of value, choosing to live within God’s assigned limits is a radical act of trust. It says: “God, You know best. I will not do more than You’ve given. I will not try to be who You never called me to be.”

And here’s the beauty: when we honor God’s boundaries for our lives, we don’t just protect our energy—we protect our joy, our peace, our calling, and our souls. We lead with clarity. We parent with purpose. We serve without resentment.

The lie is that more effort equals more fruit. But in the Kingdom of God, faithfulness inside our boundaries is far more fruitful than burnout outside of them.

So if you find yourself weary, stretched, or quietly frustrated, consider this: Are you trying to live beyond the lines God has drawn for you? Are you treating your limits as problems to solve rather than gifts to steward?

The boundary lines are pleasant not because they are easy, but because they are drawn by a God who loves you. Within them is your portion, your assignment, and your peace.

That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.