It's a rainy day where I live, so I took some time out to watch a movie with some of our kids. One thing that we were discussing whilst watching was that the main character in the story always said yes to everybody whilst negating living her own life. She couldn't say no to anyone, even when it was to her detriment, and struggled to know her worth.
It reminded me that setting healthy boundaries is essential if we want to have flourishing close relationships and fulfill the dreams God has placed in our hearts.
Over the years as a wife, mum of six kids, a pastor, and running my own business I've discovered that unless I put boundaries in place, I am headed for trouble.
People are people, and if we don't have safe parameters around how we allow ourselves to be treated, schedule our day and relate to others, and vice versa, our ability to pursue our aspirations and communicate well will be affected, and there will be a toll on our physical, emotional and mental health.
In our spiritual lives, we can also become unsure of how to be loving and kind while not pushing ourselves to be and do things beyond our limits and wisdom.
We've got to value and respect ourselves enough to set boundaries to discern what is important, what season of life we are in, our purpose, our relationships, and what God desires. Without that understanding, our boundary lines will always be blurred and able to be walked all over.
However, when we choose to have healthy boundaries, we'll recognise when things are off-balance so we can resolve the issue.
Today, I encourage you to know your worth and what God says about you. He says you are a masterpiece, special and precious in his sight. (Romans:5:8; Luke 12:7; Psalm 139:14)
As you grab hold of all He says about you in His Word (google if you need to), it will help you know when to say yes and when to say no to opportunities, people's requests and behavior towards you.
Know your worth today.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." ( Philippians 4:8)
"Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil." (Matthew 5:37)
"He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat " (Psalm 147:14)
Prayer Lord, please help me value and know my worth today and have the wisdom to recognise when to say yes to and how to say no, both to myself and others. In Jesus name Amen.