“Setting Boundaries”

Psalms 16:5-9

Boundaries is defined as barrier; borderline; radius; limits; margin.

We all have problems with setting boundaries. This is the main reason why we experience overwhelming stress and eventually burnout. Jesus had far more stress, far more pressure, and far more responsibility than any of us and yet he remained relaxed, joyful, and generous with people. He models and mediates for us living in God’s rhythms of grace. Jesus set boundaries repeatedly. Jesus had personal needs that he put a priority on, sometimes even over the needs of other people, and he did so without feeling guilty. Primarily his personal soul care had to do with separating himself from people to be alone with God, who he called “Abba.” (Father) Jesus lived in a rhythm of life that not only kept him free from burn out, but far beyond that, it kept him full of God, full of grace and truth, and therefore ready and able to be compassionate and generous in His response to people, their needs, interruptions, and crisis situations. Unlike many other servants of the Lord, Jesus did not live on the defensive, overextending himself and getting more and more tired and then finally taking a break. Instead, Jesus lived on the offensive in dealing with temptation and Satan. He was proactive in that he consistently invested in His intimacy with Abba(The Father) and this gave Him energy and focus. Because He lived this way He was never in danger of burnout. 

I come by this evening to let you know it’s very important to have boundaries. Jesus had them, so it was meant for us to have them as well. The better our boundaries of self-awareness and self-definition are the greater our capacity to offer empathy and love to others. Good boundaries help us to care for others because we have a stable foundation to operate from and are not distracted or depleted by personal insecurities or blind spots. That’s why it’s not “selfish” or unloving to have boundaries and “take care of yourself.” Be bless and I love you!!! JE