Counsels on Relationships

Counsel #17 — Setting Limits

Picture: Counsel #17 — Setting Limits CR 346.1

Have you ever said “yes” to something at work, even though you knew you didn’t have the time or energy? Maybe you agreed to cover a coworker’s shift, stay late for yet another project, or take on someone else’s responsibility. Although you helped, at the end of the workday, you were left feeling frustrated, exhausted, and quietly resentful. CR 346.2

That’s what happens when you don’t set healthy boundaries. Many people think putting up boundaries is unkind or selfish, but this is not wisdom. God expects people to have boundaries because they help you protect your time, your peace, and your ability to give your best where it really matters. Without them, you will always stretch yourself too thin and lose sight of what God actually called you to do. So, what does setting boundaries look like at work? Sometimes, boundaries mean resisting the pressure to say yes to activities that drag you down spiritually or emotionally. Often, boundaries simply mean remembering that your worth isn’t defined by how much you do for others, but by who you are in Christ.^[362] CR 346.3

“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37 NIV CR 346.4

“There are limits even to the forbearance of God, and many are exceeding these boundaries.” Ellen White in God’s Amazing Grace, p. 51 CR 346.5

Reflect: Where are you overcommitting, and how can you start guarding your time and energy in a healthier way? CR 346.6