Moving Boldly Toward Your Hinterland

As a wordsmith, I enjoy acquiring new words and using them in my writing. Although I was familiar with the word “hinterland,” I recently ran across it again and its usage piqued my interest. The word is German in origin and was first used in the late 1800s. Hinterland is defined as an uncharted area beyond what is visible or known, an unexplored region, outlands, frontier.

While not many of us find ourselves in a position to tame the hinterlands literally, we certainly face uncharted areas in life that are beyond what is visible or know.

Following are tips on boldly moving toward your hinterland:

Determine Obstacles

The translation for “hinter” is hinder, and aren’t hinderances, obstacles, always what slow us down? Obstacles are part of life and we have choices about how we respond to them. Some use obstacles as an excuse to give up, reasoning there is no way around them and no need to put forth effort. Others assess the obstacles and then come up with a plan to circumvent them.

If early explorers hadn’t had the curiosity and fortitude to move beyond coastal areas, the beauty and natural resources in our country would have long gone undiscovered. In many ways, it is the same for us. Without the drive to move beyond what we know, and can see, we miss out on opportunities and blessings. Don’t allow obstacles, real or perceived, to inhibit forward motion.

Face Fears

What is your hinterland? Rather than a location or destination, perhaps your hinterland is an issue—a health situation that could be improved with discipline, a hurt, and the person associated with it, that you cannot bring yourself to forgive, unprocessed grief so intense you can hardly breathe, an addiction you aren’t willing to admit and address. Deeply entwined in the unknowns of confronting mental, emotional, and relational issues is fear.

Are fears holding you back? Are you fearful of what is involved, of your inadequacy and the potential for failure? Surely, one of the greatest challenges of facing your hinterland is fear of what happens if you do. Only by focusing on the potential benefits can you overcome fears and forge ahead into uncharted territory.

Cultivate a Plan

Few endeavors are successful without adequate planning.

When explorers set out to conquer remote backlands, they first sent scouts to determine at least a portion of what they were facing. With the guidance of these scouts, they were able to determine necessary provisions and more advantageous routes before striking out.

Creating a plan involves assessment, gaining knowledge, and seeking guidance from others. And often, even after cultivating a plan, with additional insights, you may realize your plan is faulty. It’s okay to regroup, to go back to the drawing board and tweak, even start over.

Take time to thoroughly plan rather than rushing ahead. Don’t forget to include God in your planning. His wisdom is superior to any human intelligence and will position you to better create and successfully implement plans.

Boldly Move Forward

When I was growing up, the television show Star Trek was popular. The opening narration for the program ended with the words “to boldly go where no man has gone before.” Part of what made this series so intriguing was the “out-there-ness” of it. It took us far into the unknown, into the previously unimagined, into the hinterland.

Boldness doesn’t come naturally for many of us. Fear is always lurking in the wings, holding us back, but with courage and determination you can move into your uncharted frontier. Don’t allow the what-ifs of life to distract you. With trust and God-given strength to undergird you, boldly move forward.

“Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions. Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked for even a moment or take the detour that leads to darkness.” Proverbs 4:25, 27 TPT

©CandyArrington

Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving beyond difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include While You Wait: 7 Simple Truths for Seasons of Waiting (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).

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