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Jan 28 Daily Devotional

GROWING in FAITH
Daily Devotional
Cultivate love and compassion each day this week.

January 28: Respect Boundaries

  • Scripture: Romans 13:10 –– Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
  • Reflection: Genuine love sets boundaries for oneself and also respects others’ boundaries, thereby seeking everyone’s well-being. Such love reflects God’s heart. It is also a significant contributor to being present for self and others in a sustainable way, on multiple levels: emotionally, physically, spiritually, sexually, mentally/intellectually, financially/materially, and with time. Honor the practice of when to say “no” and when to say “yes”.
  • Spiritual Discipline: Think of a way to support someone in your life and take action to show that support.
SONGS:

Setting Boundaries — verywellhealth, full article: https://www.verywellhealth.com/setting-boundaries-5208802

How to Set Healthy Boundaries

Boundaries can be thought of as stop signs in your life. Where you put your stop signs and what you consider “crossing the line” will vary based on your beliefs, values, cultural customs, and family traditions.3 Here are a few things to think about when you’re setting boundaries:5

  • Goal-setting: Ask yourself questions like “What is the goal in setting a boundary or needing to set a boundary?”
  • Start small: Setting boundaries can be hard and uncomfortable. The key is to start small and focus on one at a time.
  • Be clear: Focus on what you want as clearly as possible.
  • Practice: If thinking about setting a boundary makes you nervous, write out what you want to say beforehand or practice stating a boundary in the mirror.
  • Keep it simple: Less is more with boundary setting. Try not to overload someone with too many details at first. Just pick the main thing that is bothering you and focus on that.
Healthy Boundaries

A few examples of a person exhibiting healthy boundaries include:

  • Being able to say, “no,” and accept when someone else says “no”
  • Being able to clearly communicate both wants and needs
  • Honoring and respecting their own needs and the needs of others
  • Respecting others’ values, beliefs, and opinions, even if they are different from one’s own
  • Feeling free to disclose and share information where appropriate
  • Flexibility without compromising yourself in an unhealthy way
Benefits of Setting Boundaries

Setting limits can provide balance in your life. Some of the benefits of setting boundaries include:8

  • Avoiding burnout: Doing too much for too many people is an easy way to burn out. Setting boundaries can help prevent burnout.
  • Less resentment: Giving and helping others is a strength, but when it turns into doing too much for others, you may start to feel resentful. Setting boundaries around what you are able to do can reduce or even get rid of any resentment that may have come up for you.
  • More balance: Sometimes, the boundaries we need to set are with ourselves. For example, while it can feel like a nice escape to binge-watch a favorite show, staying up too late on work nights can lead to exhaustion. Setting a boundary with yourself to go to bed earlier can give your life a little more balance.
Jan 28 Daily Devotional
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