Stand Firm!

In verse 8 of Psalms 16 it says I will not be moved.

It is so common place to allow ourselves to be wishy-washy in our decisions to have healthy boundaries with God and with others. The devil will try to use others to push our emotional buttons and get us to retreat back to the old standards. If we are not careful we could slip back into old habits and old heartaches if we do not constantly guard our hearts and not allow the enemy to steal the land that God has told us to conquer in His Name.

God wants you to stand firm:

In your marriage:
God wants the two of you to be in unity even if you can't agree 100% on a subject. Honor one another, respect the other person's viewpoint, pray that they will see the truth when you are certain that they do not yet see the truth. Do not try to bash them with the truth.

In your relationship with your children:
The goal is to teach our children about God and a relationship with Him. God is firm and loving with us. He does not let us have our own spoiled ways. He disciplines those He loves. He does not punish yet he allows circumstances to enter our lives as a result of sin. Teach your children that you will reap what you have sown. Watch what you say and teach your children to guard their tongue as well. There is life and death in our tongues and I want to eat good fruit not bitter, rotten fruit.

In your friendships:
Take a healthiness quiz on your friendships. Are you being a good friend? Are your friends edifying you or tearing you down? What happens when a long term friendship seems to bring both parties grief? Could setting healthy boundaries bring health to the relationships you have with your friends? If the other person does not seem to respect or understand you setting healthy boundaries you may need to set the friendship aside until you are healthier in your own sense of what is a healthy boundary in your life. Tell them in a loving way that you need to take a break from the relationship to re-evaluate some things in your life. Try to leave open a door like having coffee once a month or emailing. But if you do nothing then nothing will change.

In your extended family:
Remember your children are watching. How you allow yourself to be treated or how you treat others will become the legacy of the next generation. Try to picture your kids acting like you in 10 years with their in laws or with other family members. Is it a scary picture? It's not too late.

At work:
Are you allowing yourself to be a doormat at work. People respect the fact that others can articulate what they will and will not tolerate from a work relationship. If you dread working with a particular person you may need to bring this before the Lord and ask him for wisdom about how to set some healthy boundaries with your co-workers.