A property line around our yard, a fence around our
house, a door on a room, etc. are all physical boundaries. They often keep us
safe and settle disputes, as well as protect us from intruders and from losing
our self in the midst of their problems.
Emotional boundaries are very important for the
well-being of our soul - our thoughts, choices and feelings (Proverbs 4:23). We
put distance between us and people who wound us, or we sever ties all together
to protect our self from further abuse.
Every human needs to feel protected and unconditionally
loved. As we grow in our self-awareness, we begin to realize our need for
boundaries. We conserve energy, which we used to consume resisting
perpetrators, and have more ability and resources to give to those who truly
need what God gives to us.
We use the compassion and empathy we learned from our
abuse to minister to those God sends our way. The thorns in our flesh no long
consume our time or energy, because of boundaries. We focus on God's will for
each moment of our life.
We have grace with our own personal insecurities, blind
spots and fears and allow our self to receive God's unconditional love for us.
We set limits on our care-giving of others in order to have enough personal
resources to care for our own soul.
Saying "No" and speaking the truth in love
prevents us from enabling and getting enmeshed by rescuing others who get into
trouble due to their disobedience to God, their irresponsible behavior and
their own lack of boundaries.
This prevents us from emotional and physical depletion
and burning out, and helps us to be more effectual and appropriate in helping
others with legitimate needs. We only rescue those for whom God provides us
with a lifeline.
Prayer:
Father God, remind us that You already rescued every
person in the world through Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. We have no
responsibility to rescue people, because they need to turn to Christ in their
hour of need, not to us. Help us not to enable selfish and irresponsible
people, but only to help as Your Spirit leads us. Enable us to resist taking
the weight of the problems of the world on our shoulders and to leave it on
Yours, where it belongs.
Cleanse our heart from anger, resentment, an overload of
stress and burnout which we acquire from our lack of boundaries and our
penchant for attempting to help where You are not calling us to give aid. Do
not allow us to be manipulated by the negative emotions others use to control
us. Allow us instead to abound in Your grace and to pray for the needs in the
lives of others as they learn to trust You as their Savior instead of us.
Thought for the Day:
Jesus made His need for physical rest and the restoration
of His soul as a priority in His life by following the leading of God's Spirit
with His life. - Luke 5:16
