HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

I recall a new hire, a co-worker in management, who desperately sought everyone’s approval and acceptance. Despite her position, she carried a heavy burden of personal and professional rejections.

She would lavishly bring expensive breakfast treats to meetings and organize extravagant outings for her department. However, her behavior was consistently rude, demeaning, and condescending. She actively created a hostile workplace by being a large, negative presence who made sure to encroach on everyone else’s space.

• When someone is not a favorable influence in your life, yet they take up a disproportionate amount of your time, you must set boundaries.

• When someone’s character or behavior is consistently draining your positive energy, you must set boundaries.

• When someone makes you feel uncomfortable and unsafe, you must set boundaries.

• When people seem comfortable behaving in a manner that makes you uncomfortable, you must set boundaries.

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." This highlights the importance of setting boundaries to protect one's soul and well-being.

Always be kind to yourself and others. However, you also need to be clear and firm when setting boundaries. You can inform that person that your safety, sanity, space, and time are valuable to you and let them know what they are threatening. You must be prepared to guard your boundaries, because some people will not respect you without them. Some people simply can’t be trusted with access to all of you, and you have the right to set limits on their access.

Creating boundaries is, in part, about teaching others how to treat you and protecting your well-being. Clearly stated boundaries are demonstrated by the way you express yourself to others.

Luke 6:31, "Do to others as you would have them do to you.”