Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others. Brene Brown
Meditation: Our wellness and sense of life balance depends on setting healthy boundaries. We need to learn to wisely, calmly and firmly say “no”. We need to say “no” to unwanted or inappropriate demands or behaviors. And it does not matter whether the other person is encroaching on our space intentionally or unintentionally. If we find clear words that are self-loving and self-respecting, we will season our speech with salt. We can practice “tough love”, speak our truth with kind yet firm words. Often people will not like it. People will be disappointed with us and will get angry with us. However, those who truly love or want to love us and who are not only in relationship with us to benefit from us, they will learn to appreciate our ability to set healthy and needed boundaries with them and with others.
Prayer: Jesus, You modeled healthy boundary setting. You did not heal everybody who came to You. You prevented life drain and burn out by setting boundaries in taking time out for prayer and solitude and by spending time with relationships that were life giving to You. Help us with the power of Your Spirit to not mistake Christianity for self-sacrifice, self-destruction or life without boundaries. Teach us how to say “no” with love. Protect us from people who shame us with “false guilt” and who try to manipulate us back to unhealthy ways of being in relationships. Amen
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6
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