Know Your Relational Boundaries

Happy Monday to you...

We have had a very full schedule and family staying with us this past week leaving me with very little time to write. So, I will share with you something I read that reached my heart today...

To frame our conversations, a scriptural encouragement -

"The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." ~ Psalm 16:6 

Oh, this one just truly hurts my heart to watch. Along with knowing when to let it rest in our own lives, we must grow in knowing when to let it rest with other people. 

We often think of boundaries as keeping people, things, non-essential priorities out. There's truth here. Today, I'd suggest also thinking of these same fences as keeping YOU in.

We women are rescuers at times. 

But you see, there's only so much we can do in some of our relationships. There will be times where our power to reason, talk or share with, persuade, or even encourage another person will be limited.

We will encounter frustration at our inability to change a person, or influence them to change their situation.

This is exactly as it should be. We're not God.

What got satan kicked out of heaven, Adam & Eve banished from the garden, and a host of other biblical characters in trouble, was their unhealthy desire for influence. They weren't content with their sphere or level of impact or authority -- they wanted God's.

But, I've done it - and maybe you have too? - I jump those fences which inform me of my limitations, and find myself waaaay outside of my sphere of influence.

Basically, I've leapt over marriage fences, parenting boundaries, friendship lines and pastoral limitations thinking if I just....then they will... You know what I mean, don't you?

We play Holy Spirit. We play God.

I know it's tough. I relate to feelings of helplessness. I understand it's most likely out of our care for another person. I get it.

But like the psalmist, I instead want to recognize there are pleasant boundary lines for me, especially in relationships. Honoring those will bring me peace, a delightful inheritance as I pray and trust for changes.

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{**I'm aware many are called to go further in helping a troubled individual than what may seem normal. I encourage you to exercise wisdom - and to ask for it by receiving counsel. Scripture describes how this can be a slippery slope.**}

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Action plan: Pray and ask God if you've jumped a relational fence recently, stepped into territory that's His alone. Ask for strength to get back on your side and to trust God at work. Prayerfully, you'll find rest as well.

More to Read: The first part of Galatians 6 offers great insight on working with others, while remaining humble ourselves. Take a look!

Shared from www.domesticserenity.org

Please share your thoughts! I'd love to hear from you!