Boundaries: Get Off the Crazy Train.Sample

Sometimes we allow people to treat us badly because we fear how we will look if we say something, how the other person will react or how it will affect the state of the relationship. We worry if they will “be mad at us”, or if they will talk about us to other mutual family or friends. We start to question if we’re being too harsh in setting up boundaries, or unfair. Or even if we’re being “unchristian”.

Living in peace doesn’t mean that you just keep quiet and endure the pain from others.

There is a way to keep a boundary and be kind. To be firm but be a blessing. To speak truth through gentleness.

Galatians 5:1 talks about the freedom that comes through Jesus Christ that breaks the bondage of Slavery. Do you feel like you’re in bondage to unhealthy relationships?

If we have not implemented boundaries within ourselves and our actions, we aren’t ever going to live FREELY. To live freely means not according to others and their acceptance, their contingencies, and their crazy train cycles. It means living according to God’s word, to be a vessel and testimony of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Remember, YOU CAN’T FIX OTHER PEOPLE. Read that again. Setting boundaries isn’t a weapon to use against someone or some kind of control move. Others aren’t responsible for your happiness and you’re not responsible for theirs. So be prepared for them not to like your boundaries. Because just as God gives us free-will to listen to him - He gives others free-will in how they listen, how they react, and how they respond.

We need to pray for wisdom in God’s boundaries that he sets up for our protection, safety, growth, and provision. And for loving how he wants us to love and to be loved. We need to pray for wisdom to know how to communicate our boundaries effectively, wisdom to know when it’s time to back away from people and when it’s time to step toward people.

In Luke, scripture says for us not to worry about how we will defend ourselves or what we will say because the Holy Spirit will teach us in the moment. So, if we’re submitting to the Holy Spirit first, he promises to take care of the rest.