In today’s fast-paced world, setting boundaries is more crucial than ever for maintaining personal peace and emotional safety. Boundaries are not about shutting people out; they are about protecting your peace and energy. This episode explores the significance of boundaries, drawing on biblical references, personal anecdotes, and practical advice to help you establish boundaries without guilt.

The Importance of Boundaries

Boundaries are essential for protecting personal peace. They are like doors, not walls, defining where you end and others begin. Even Jesus set boundaries, withdrawing to rest and pray, showing us that saying no is a complete sentence and can be a holy act. Boundaries help prevent resentment and maintain healthy relationships.

Practical Advice on Setting Boundaries

Communicating boundaries clearly and lovingly is crucial. Expect pushback when setting boundaries, but remain consistent. Boundaries are a form of sacred stewardship of one’s emotions and peace. Choosing peace over guilt is a powerful act of faith.

Embracing boundaries is embracing peace. By setting boundaries, you guide your emotional well-being and show others how to love you well. Remember, boundaries are not a rejection; they are a direction.

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In the last few days, a lot of terrible things have happened. I’ve learned that before putting my thoughts and emotions out there, I need to sit back, reflect, and process. But there are two thoughts that I can’t seem to shake. This may be long, but I believe it’s important—so I hope you’ll stay with me.

A Heart for All Humanity

As followers of Christ, we should have a heart for all humanity—not just some. All lives matter. I don’t say that as a political statement but as a believer in the truth that we are all created by the same God.

I consider myself pro-life, but not only in the sense of being “pre-birth” pro-life. I believe in valuing and protecting life from conception until death. And today, I want to talk about death.

Naturally, some deaths affect us more deeply than others, often depending on proximity or connection. But when we discount certain lives and elevate others, we fall into hypocrisy. In recent days, I’ve seen passions flare over who “deserves” to be mourned. I’ve also seen those passions ignite harsh words and even violent rhetoric—tragically, this from fellow believers.

But here’s the truth: when someone is murdered, it doesn’t matter who they were. In the heart of Christ, every life lost is a tragedy. Every soul violently taken is one less person fulfilling the purpose God created them for. Whether it’s a child in a classroom, a baby killed in war, a politician in their home, or a public figure—each loss is a wound to the body of Christ.

Yes, our minds can only process so much grief, so we compartmentalize. But we cannot allow ourselves to become numb to some pain while being outraged at others.

The Trap of Bias

I once had a professor who told us, “Just because it’s my wine doesn’t mean it’s the best wine.” She was teaching about bias in journalism, but the principle applies to life as well. We all have biases, but in today’s culture, we often let them dictate how we treat—and love—others.

When we label an entire group of people as “evil” simply because we disagree with them, we fall right into the enemy’s trap of division. When we believe our culture, background, or community is somehow superior, we’ve missed the very heart of Jesus’ message.

You can’t pray with compassion for one criminal simply because they share your background, beliefs, or community, and then condemn another criminal because they don’t. God’s grace isn’t limited by our biases.

I’ll never forget reading that Jeffrey Dahmer professed faith in Christ before his death. If even Jeffrey Dahmer can be redeemed, then no one is beyond salvation. That truth forces me to ask myself: where do I stand? Am I the one spewing hatred—or the one pointing people to the hope of Christ?

Our Testimony Online

We sometimes forget that the internet is also a mission field. If you present yourself online as a follower of Christ—posting Bible verses and church photos—but then turn around and spew hate when tragedy strikes, you damage your testimony. You lose credibility. And the next time you try to witness to someone, online or in person, your words may carry less weight.

My mother used to tell me, “If you don’t have anything good to say, just stay quiet.” That’s not just motherly wisdom—it’s biblical truth. Proverbs 17:27-28 reminds us:

“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

Life Is Fleeting

The second thought I keep returning to is how fragile life really is.

The people who died last week—and those who perished on 9/11, 24 years ago—woke up that morning with no idea they would not return home. Some may have had moments to call out to God in their final seconds, but others were gone before they even realized what was happening.

Too many of us think we have time—time to reconcile, to forgive, to repent, to turn back to God. But we don’t.

Scripture warns us that none of us knows the day or the hour. And though many focus on the signs of the Second Coming, the reality is that each of us lives on our own clock—one that could stop at any moment, whether by the free will of another, divine intervention, or natural causes.

Not everyone dies peacefully in bed surrounded by loved ones, like in the movies. Reality includes crime, disasters, and disease that interrupt our vision of a long life.

James 4:13-14 says:

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

And Luke 12:20 adds:

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’”

The message is clear: tomorrow is not promised. The time to live fully surrendered to Christ is now.

In a world that glorifies hustle and constant activity, the idea of building a business from a place of rest and spiritual alignment might seem counterintuitive. Yet, this approach can lead to profound success and fulfillment. Imagine starting your day with a sense of peace, knowing that your business decisions are aligned with your core values and spiritual beliefs. In the latest episode of Thrive by The Rising Muse, we talk to Lynette Williams from Laptop Mommas about how to navigate this balance.

The first step in this journey is to find your center. This involves understanding your spiritual beliefs and how they align with your business goals. As entrepreneur Lynette says, “When I aligned my business with my spiritual values, everything fell into place.”

Rest is not just about taking breaks; it’s about creating a sustainable rhythm in your work life. By prioritizing rest, you allow creativity and innovation to flourish. As Lynette Williams puts it, “Rest is where my best ideas are born.”

Every business decision should reflect your spiritual alignment. This means being intentional about the partnerships you form, the products you create, and the impact you have on the world. “When your actions align with your values, success follows naturally,” says Williams.

Building a business from rest and spiritual alignment is not just a strategy; it’s a lifestyle. It requires courage to step away from the hustle and trust in a deeper process. But the rewards—both personal and professional—are worth it. Embrace this journey, and watch your business thrive in ways you never imagined.

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