Boundaries aren't selfish
March 14 - March 18, 2022 | Always Peachy Devotionals
Hello, friends!
Can you believe we’re midway through March already? We’re getting close to St. Patrick’s Day. Anyone else planning on corned beef and cabbage? Yes, I know it’s a strictly American thing to celebrate with that particular meal (not Irish at all), but I still look forward to it every year!
How are you boundaries holding up? Have you said no to someone this past week? It’s hard, isn’t it? It takes a lot of intentionality and mindfulness to be able to step back and tell someone you love that you can’t do something with them. We all need God’s help to be self-aware on that level.
But once we actually have a read on our physical, spiritual, and emotional health, we can start making wise choices. And we can hear God’s voice better.
The biggest lie I have encountered about boundaries is that keeping them is selfish. It’s an insidious belief that crawls into every church, every ministry, and every heart of every volunteer I know.
You can’t take time for yourself. That’s being selfish, and God didn’t call us to be selfish!
Part of that is truth. Being selfish isn’t something that God has said is right. But He also never intended for us to work ourselves into the ground. So this week, we’re going to be looking at some ways to know the difference between being selfish and being healthy.
March 14 - God doesn’t use guilt
March 15 - God doesn’t use fear
March 16 - God is never vague
March 17 - Don’t get distracted
March 18 - Protect yourself from chaos
I also think it’s important to remember that Jesus says about what following Him looks like. Check out Matthew 11:28-30.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Doesn’t sound like Jesus is promoting any kind of burn out there, does it? So maybe that concept doesn’t come from Him. Ever think of that?
So our memory verse this week comes out of that passage too, just to help us remember that Jesus never told us to work ourselves to death.
I pray that you all make time to rest this week. Even if it’s inconvenient, even if it upsets someone, if you are exhausted and unwell, stop what you’re doing. Make space for God. You won’t regret it.
Big, squishy hugs!
Amy
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