Boundaries for your Soul (Devotional Reading Plan from YouVersion)

Hey y'all! I hope everyone is doing swell! This post does not come from me but a reading plan I found on the Bible app that I use called YouVersion. I am copying it and sharing it with you for encouragement purposes. 

Day 1

  Do you ever struggle with setting good boundaries with others? You want to do what’s right, but a part of you struggles with anger, fear, or perhaps guilt. You may even hurt the people you love the most as a result of these unwanted feelings. Developing healthy internal boundaries with your thoughts and feelings is a Biblical way to care for your soul.

What are boundaries? Your “boundaries” are the borders or limits of who you are and what you do, and what behaviors (your own and those of others) you will and will not accept. Your spirit, mind, heart, will, and body all have boundaries. Understanding these limits helps you honor your individuality and the individuality of others.

To use an external boundary as an example, when you have a conversation with another person, you don’t stand so close that you step on her toes or so far away that you yell from a distance. Instead, you stand at arm’s reach so that the two of you can hear each other comfortably. As another example, if a good friend moves away, you may feel too far from him and need to find new ways to maintain your connection. On the other hand, if he were to crowd you emotionally, you would need to get some space. You may feel too far from an estranged relative whom you haven’t seen in years, or too close to an overbearing one who visits too often and stays too long. Essentially, you can draw closer to people at will, or move farther away, in order to establish a comfortable distance.

Likewise, there are two opposite, unhealthy ways of relating to your painful emotions. You can keep them too close to you or you can push them too far away. If they’re too close, you risk being overwhelmed by them. If they’re too far, you risk being cut off from them, only to be influenced by them in harmful ways.

You may wonder why you would ever want to draw painful feelings in closer. Isn’t it better to keep them away? Think of it this way: Your painful emotions are being experienced by parts of your soul that need to be heard, honored, and understood in order for you to be able to help them. Furthermore, the parts of your soul experiencing these difficult emotions have much to teach you when you get to know them. As with the people in your life, the key is to establish comfortable distance with these parts of your soul.

Romans7:15 AMP

For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity].

Romans 7:15 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/rom.7.15.AMP

Day 2

  At some point, you may have realized it’s not just the problems and challenging people surrounding you that rob your life of joy. Like everyone, you have been wounded and have developed patterns that limit your ability to be your best self and experience lasting peace. Internal challenges, such as anger, guilt, and unforgiveness, require your attention, or you end up overwhelmed and hurting others unnecessarily. It’s hard to be good to others when you’re hurting inside. 

Ironically, the most natural way of addressing troubling emotions actually makes things worse. Many well-meaning people seek to suppress or criticize aspects of themselves they don’t like. The most common response to unwanted impulses is to insist, I need to get over it, or I’ve got to stop thinking that way. In our experience as counselors, we’ve found that this approach rarely works.

Boundaries for Your Soul presents another way. A different means to the same end. A slower way to get where you want to go—faster. It’s the “Come . . . let us reason together approach” (Isa. 1:18 KJV). It involves understanding and even befriending the hurting parts of your soul.

This suggestion may seem counterintuitive. Befriend my anger and fear? you may be thinking. That’s the last thing I want to do. Consider this: Jesus taught us to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44). “Pray for those who persecute you,” he said. When you throw a dinner party, stretch yourself and invite the unpopular people (Luke 14:12–14). Mature love is extending hospitality—even toward the parts of your soul that are angry, fearful, anxious, or sad. 

As you listen to them, you’ll discover that these emotions represent distinct parts of your soul that need your care. You’ll realize that some are too close to the essential you, and some are too far away. You’ll get to know overbearing aspects of yourself you wish would give you some space, as well as disowned, denied, and lost facets of your personality hiding in the shadows. All of these parts of you, whether too near or too far, exist for a reason. They all need for you to create healthy boundaries with them so they can relate to you from a comfortable distance. Your emotional well-being depends on it, as does that of those you love.

Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord . “ Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.

Isaiah 1:18 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/isa.1.18.AMP

Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 5:44 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/mat.5.44.AMP

Luke 14:12-14

Jesus also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or wealthy neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. But when you give a banquet or a reception, invite the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (the just, the upright).”

Luke 14:12‭-‬14 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.14.12-14.AMP

Day 3

  Just as you’re created with specific physical traits (eye color and height, for example), you’re also created with different parts of your soul. These parts develop over time. When they’re hurt, rejected, or traumatized, they can take on extreme thoughts and feelings, and painful memories can weigh them down. And then they can cause you to behave in ways you wish you wouldn’t.

Imagine that your soul has three categories of parts: 1) the parts that are suffering, 2) the parts that are straying, and 3) the parts that are sanctimonious. And it helps to get to know these parts of you, so that you can invite the Holy Spirit to speak to them. We can look to characters in the Gospels to understand more about the parts of yourself needing God’s care.

 When Jesus walked the earth, he spent time with three kinds of people, including the sanctimonious ones trying to keep everyone in line, the straying ones breaking the rules, and the suffering ones who lived on the fringes. And he had his own way of connecting with the people in each category.

 

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus interacted frequently with the religious leaders who knew every letter of the law . . . and who, when they had mastered laws, created more. They excelled at keeping up a positive appearance while masking their insecurities and weaknesses (Luke 11:43–44). Jesus expressed his desire to be close to them when he quoted Isaiah, saying, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Mark 7:6–8).

Jesus also spent time with people whom the religious leaders called “sinners,” those whose sin was more obvious. These were people who committed adultery, rebelled, cheated, stole, and routinely stepped out of line. When the religious leaders criticized Jesus for being friends with these people, he answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

Typically, Jesus didn’t have harsh words for sinners. He often befriended them, forgave them, and then called them to change: “Neither do I condemn you. . . . Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11).

Jesus also encountered many people who were suffering. He didn’t blame the suffering, nor did he marginalize them. Instead, he encouraged them, helped them, and treated them with respect. And in many cases, he healed them.

In each of these cases, Jesus asked the suffering person to do something before being healed: “Get up! Pick up your mat and go home” (Mark 2:11. Jesus healed the sick and gave them a new role.

Jesus loves every part of who you are—the sanctimonious, straying, and suffering parts of you, too. Welcome these parts of you—don’t push them away. Get to know them and invite Jesus to be near. You might be surprised how these parts of you respond to his presence, and to your curiosity and compassion. 

Psalms 86:11

Teach me Your way, O Lord , I will walk and live in Your truth; Direct my heart to fear Your name [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder].

Psalms 86:11 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/psa.86.11.AMP

1 Corinthians 12:22

But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary;

1 Corinthians 12:22 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1co.12.22.AMP

Day 4

How can you grow closer to Jesus? You might start by noticing what happens when you engage in spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and worship.

For example, is your worship Spirit-led or driven by a sanctimonious part of your soul? If you notice a lot of shoulds in your mind, such as, “You should be praying longer . . . You shouldn’t be feeling distracted or angry . . .you can bet these messages are coming from a sanctimonious part of you that’s trying to help you, rather than from the Spirit of God dwelling within you. Jesus’ voice, although authoritative, is never shaming. Pray for that part of your soul that has internalized a critical spirit—it needs your care. Assure that part of you that you understand its concern, and that your true desire is to connect authentically with Jesus.

Consider, also, how the straying parts of your soul respond when you turn your mind to God. For example, you might notice a part nodding off, distracting you with daydreams or luring your attention with your favorite escape. Then befriend these well-meaning internal escape artists and ask them to give you some space so you can keep your eyes on Jesus.

Try thinking of these parts of yourself as well-meaning protectors. As you appreciate them, they’ll relax. As your protectors step back, you can invite Jesus to draw near the suffering parts of your soul most in need of his care. You might become aware of a suffering part that’s feeling far from God or doubting his goodness. Focus on and befriend this suffering part, and witness it from your Spirit-led self, the place where the Holy Spirit dwells within you: I see that you’re lonely. I’m here with you. As you turn your attention to these struggling parts, you’re developing a richer, more intimate relationship with him. You’re developing healthy boundaries in your soul.

James 4:8

Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].

James 4:8 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/jas.4.8.AMP

Day 5

  As we’ve explored how to establish healthy internal boundaries, we’re mindful that we’re still on our own journeys toward wholeness. But we stay the course, confident that on this path we are becoming the people God created us to be. As Paul wrote, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14 NASB).

As you also “press on,” take a moment now and imagine yourself as God sees you. What burdens are you laying down? What qualities are you taking in from the One who loves you most? Receive them in abundance now and share them generously with others.

Remember these truths from God’s Word—unshakable realities that apply to every part of the life surrendered to him: you are adopted, accepted, called by name. You are hidden with Christ, chosen, forgiven, washed clean, and redeemed. You have been given the Spirit of God, strength, mercy, grace, access to the Holy of Holies . . . you have been given the mind of Christ. You are complete in him, you are clothed with his righteousness, and you are secure in his love.

You have tremendous capacity to encourage wholeness and abundant living in everyone around you. As you continue on this journey, we pray that you might know God’s delight, great love, and pride in you. May God minister to you and give you freedom and joy, in this life and into eternity. May the power of God be at work in every part of you—the sanctimonious, the straying, and the suffering—that they may be found, befriended, and restored.

Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/php.3.14.AMP

That concludes this week's blog post. All scriptures were taken from the Amplified (AMP) version. Until next time, much love and may peace be with y'all...