Create Boundaries

When we look to anyone other than God to meet our needs, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment. Relationships work best when you establish boundaries and a budget up front. Ask truthful and honest questions like. “Where does this person belong in my life? How much am I prepared to invest in them?” These questions are very essential. WHY? Because life is too short to be spent straightening out misunderstandings, hurt feelings and damages egos. If you’re wise, you’ll avoid any relationships that leave you drained and leaves you asking. “How did I get into this?” When keeping somebody happy means shortchanging the purposes of God in your life and losing your joy, then you’re overdrawn on your budget. When somebody needs too many phone calls, dinners, loans, or any other form(s) of attention, it’s definitely time to draw the line. DO NOT allow anyone to cater to the “need to want/need someone in your life”. You have only so much time and energy. Good stewardship demands that you invest you life where there is the greatest return. When people who are too needy demand more than you have the ability or the right to give, you have got to do one of two things: 1. Renegotiate: Bankrupting yourself to make them feel good might sound dignified, but its not! Bankrupt people end up with everything from nervous breakdowns to extramarital affairs because they are overspent. At this point, prayer, a good counselor, and some good ol’ fashioned tough love may be what you need. 2. Sometimes you have to walk away! In Isaiah 50:7 (NKJV), Isaiah said: “I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.” Make up your mind to let no one stand in the way of doing what God has called you to do. Your first calling is to please the Lord, not others.