The Matter of Boundaries

The Lord calls us to peace and freedom, not defined by someone else’s dysfunction. Setting boundaries does not mean that we do not love or that we are not following Jesus. Even Christ modeled setting boundaries. When dealing with pain, confusion, and exhaustion from someone with unhealthy and manipulative behaviors, we pray and surrender. God knows the pain, the self-doubt, the fear and the longing for change that never seems to come. He knows how tired we are and He does not call us to put any relationship above the one we have with Him. He never calls us to endure mistreatment just because it is such-and-such person. We can walk in love without walking into destruction. We trust You, Lord, with what we cannot change. You, Father, are powerful and mighty. You are love.

Thank You, Lord, that I do not have to earn Your love. Your voice is not one of rejection or fear or false guilt. Those are about control. Someone else’s approval does not define me. Help me to remember that Your opinion is the only One that matters. Thank You for enabling me to forgive and forgiving me. Thank You for reminding me that nothing can separate me from your love and that I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. These scriptures help me know that I am lovable and worthy. Thank You that I can pray and do not have to put my life on hold, waiting for something that may never happen. I commit this painful thing to you and relinquish any need to control the outcome. I surrender all to Your omnipotent hand. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39 NIV