I’ve been trying to teach my oldest that if he’s going to wear a WWJD bracelet, he has to be very conscious of how he treats people. But navigating the way Jesus loved those who hurt or betrayed him, can be hard to apply biblical principles when we experience relational hurt.
I don’t think it’s physically or mentally possible to always apply this principle. We have to remember that Jesus is limitless. He designed us with limits. I don’t know who needs to hear this but it’s OK to have boundaries with people who have hurt you. We were not meant to exhaust, self deprecate, and pour from an empty cup at the expense of ourselves. When Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” He didn’t mean sacrifice yourself at all costs even if it’s at your own detriment. He meant that we should have a willing spirit, when necessary to love and help others when it’s within our power and resources to do so. Friendship was such a coveted relationship with Jesus. Extend love that is honorable. Jesus didn’t lay down his life to enable evil, or to enable unholy behaviors and to keep others happy. Establishing healthy boundaries doesn’t make you unchristian. It’s not unchristian to call wrong things, wrong. It’s not unchristian to require people to treat us in healthy ways. But saying this, we do so with honor, kindness and forgiveness.
Remember, help others when it’s within your capacity to do so. But if it’s beyond what you can do, then your stepping on Jesus’ toes. That’s his arena. He’s supposed to takeover where our limitations end.
Prayer Prompts:
Pray your husband sets good emotional and spiritual boundaries.
Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Lord, I pray for my husbands heart. That he would filter every word, action, thought and motive through your Word. Whatever is not from you, that he would rebuke and reject.
Pray your husband sets boundaries on self-indulgence.
Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh, rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Lord, I pray my husband knows his limits exist within your parameters. I pray that he does not desire to satisfy his flesh. I pray that he serves others but also recognizes when he is being taken advantage of. Let him remember that not everyone operates within your limitations and they can use him as a way to satisfy their own flesh or needs.
Pray your husband always looks to God to refill his cup when he feels drained.
Lord, the world can move fast and there’s demands everywhere. I pray he feels appreciated at his work, his home and by his family. I pray that he does not overwork himself to the point of exhaustion that it leaves no room for you, Lord. I pray that he sets limits and never bites off more than he can chew, even if there is financial gain. I pray the boundaries he sets with business and work, that you would align the right people, clients, customers and coworkers in his path in such a way that he will never pour from an empty cup.
Challenge:
Post a picture of your husband and just brag on him. If you don’t have social media, try to brag on him in public to someone. Say something kind and encouraging in front of others.