Boundaries…And Why They Matter
You may be going throughout life feeling like people have always “walked all over you”.
You may feel like a human doormat. And when you do speak up, people may not take you seriously.
Or, they may make you feel like your overeacting when you do try to make and keep boundaries.
Why do boundaries matter?
When it comes to dealing with people we, most of the time, unknowingly have already created boundaries. Boundaries are important, not only in your personal life, but also your work life.
Having boundaries with people you work with or your boss is important. These boundaries can be harder to establish sometimes. But, for some temperaments, you can easily be taken advantage of.
For example, if you have a hard time saying no to people, then at work, it would be easy for others to rely on you for more than they should. They probably know that you will not say no and that you will pick up the slack. But this can lead you to feeling unappreciated and sometimes even resentful. So, depending on your temperament, certain boundaries need to be made.
In your personal life this may also be the case. You may feel like people expect more than you can give them or take advantage of the fact that you always do what they ask of you. This could also lead you to feeling angry and resentful.
How can I make boundaries in a Godly way?
Depending on your temperament, creating boundaries could come very easy to you or be more difficult. It can be hard to create boundaries with people. It can be hard to know whether or not you should say no or yes. A good rule to go by is to ask the Holy Spirit. He will tell you when to say no or yes, and give you the time, energy, and means to do it if he wants you to. In Ephesians 6:18 it says,
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
There is nothing that is too small for the Holy Spirit to guide you with. It says to pray, “at all time and on every occasion”.
Later this week we will talk about what to do when those in your life do not respect your boundaries. If you need help creating healthy boundaries, contact us.
