Healthy Boundaries in Christian Reltionships

"So a painful problem was given to me...
I begged the Lord three times to take this problem away from me...

But the Lord said to me,
'My grace is enough for you.

When you are weak,
then my power is made perfect in you...

Then Christ's power can live in me.'"

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 International Children's Bible

Kind of a weird take on these verses but I was struck by the thought

His grace is enough for me

for me

not for me and the problems of another person that I am so intertwined with that I am taking on as my own

Many times the Holy Spirit has to prompt, encourage, speak to us to stretch out and care for another besides myself

But to maintain healthy boundaries in relationships

at this time, and in this particular relationship

I believe the Holy Spirit is saying to see the line where only God can work in this

in that person  I love almost more than life iteself.

His grace is only given to me

to believe Him and not despair
to respond in love and hope
kindness and grace

NO MATTER WHAT

God has grace
abundant grace
for that person too
for what they are facing and grappling with

but that must come between God and them

I can only seek and find God's grace for me

and let Christ have his way in me

and seek to love them with His love

and not my own


granting them all freedom

this is the only way to be free myself

from all that is driving  me

to seek to grasp and control

paralyzing fear

NO

let God be God

I am not

He has grace for me in this

Only He can be enough for me

He wants to pour into me

pour through me

but I must acknowledge His rightful place

and mine


to be the recipient of His grace

the learner

the trusting

the abiding

the waiting in confidence of who He is

not that I know or can really influence anything

knowing He loves me

He loves them

I can worship who he is
and love him
right here
right now
and leave all else in His hands.

pouring out all my fears
desires
concerns
thoughts
grief
all my soul
to Him who is touched with all the feelings of our infirmity
to Him who alone is able to do
exceedingly above and beyond all that we ask or think

to Him who loves us to the end
to Him who says,
"Nothing is too hard for me"

"Let not your heart be troubled
You believe in God,
believe in me." John 14:1

"I will not leave you comfortless,
I will come to you" John 14:18

"Remain in me and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit alone.
It must remain in the vine.
It is the same with you.
You cannot produce fruit alone,
You must remain in me.
I am the vine and you are the branhes.
If a person remains in me and I in him,
then he produces much fruit."  John 15:4-5

"the fruit of the Spirit is
love
joy 
peace
patience
goodness
faithfulness 
gentleness
self-control..."
Galations 5:22


Shine your light in me
I love you Lord