Boundaries and gut feelings

"Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors." (Proverbs 22:28, NIV)

I could have made some very different choices in my music career. I could've signed very lucrative record contracts. But I have set limits for myself, limits that you could simply call "gut feelings."

These gut feelings didn't just appear. They have developed through my personal relationship with Jesus, my daily communion with Him. Through this time spent together, I've come to know in my heart that He wants the best for me, so I've often turned down tempting offers because I felt a boundary inside.

Keeping boundaries isn't always easy. Simon Peter had also set a boundary for himself: "Peter replied, 'Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.'" (Matthew 26:33, NIV) But when Jesus was on trial and Peter's worst apprehensions became reality, he shifted his boundary and denied knowing Jesus. (see Matthew 26:69-70) How terrible. How disappointing. It must have torn Peter apart. Thankfully, he reset that boundary.

Have you consciously set limits for yourself? Especially in your areas of weakness, it is very important that you set boundaries before you're in danger of crossing them.

Do you find it difficult not to complain when others speak negatively? Then decide ahead of time that when they do, you'll get up and leave.

Perhaps you watch too many Netflix series and don't get to bed early enough? Then set limits on your screen time.

Does it feel like love is waning in your marriage? Then remember your promise of "till death do us part," and hold fast to that boundary.

Godly boundaries protect you from hurting yourself and others.

Yes, setting boundaries can be difficult! But through your personal relationship with Jesus, your communion with Him, it's absolutely possible. :-) And do you know what? He wants to help you honor Him and yourself and keep those boundaries!

I encourage you to prayerfully ask the Lord today: which boundaries should you set, and which ones do you perhaps need to put back into place?

You are a miracle!

Déborah

P.S. The texts of this reading come from the daily email called A Miracle Every Day. You are invited to receive a daily message and be blessed by the writing of Déborah Rosenkratz and Grant Fishbook . If you want to receive an email every day, click here to subscribe.