Today’s Topic: Put IT Down!
Don’t ever set yourself on fire just to keep other people warm is great advice. Let’s be realistic, you cannot be everything to everyone. It is not your job to save someone each and every time they cry out.
Mommies, remember when your toddler woke up in the middle of the night and wanted to be held or rocked back to sleep? You didn’t rush in to pick them up but waited it out until they eventually fell back to sleep. All babies wake in the night, experts say, but the ones who learn to fall asleep on their own won’t need parents’ help to get back to sleep later on.
There are many ways to show you care for others than being a sacrificial offering. Adults are just as capable to keep themselves warm by taking the necessary actions to find solutions.
People who constantly lean on you for things that result in you adding to your plate are the people you need to draw boundaries with.
In Exodus 18 we see where Moses had a similar problem. He was exhausted from taking care of all the needs of the people of Israel. Every problem was brought before Moses for him to judge and give his verdict.
Jethro his father-in-law was shocked. He couldn’t believe that Moses was doing so much in so little time. He said to Moses, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you and you cannot handle it alone.”
My friends, we all have the same 24-hours in a day, and it comes down to how you choose to use them. It’s all about your choices. Burning yourself out to keep everyone happy is not good. When you know better, you do better.
No is actually a complete sentence without getting into the reasons why. You don’t have to answer every call or email or text messages if they are not on your priority list.
Many times we carry heavy loads without realizing the full weight of it. If you are always giving 110% it will eventually take a toll on your mental health. You cannot be everything to everyone. Begin setting boundaries.
Fatigue cannot be masked. You do not have to feel badly by refusing to add more to your already full itinerary. Your health is more important than trying to keep everyone happy.
Prayer Time: Father, thank you for teaching us the power of self care. May we never feel guilty for setting boundaries when we know that our plate is full. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Moses father-in-law’s words are proof that what you are doing is not good for you and those who expect you to keep them warm and fuzzy. You will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you and you cannot handle it alone.
Amazing Grace 