Scripture Anchor:
“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Philippians 2:4 KJV
There is wisdom in guarding your heart, in setting boundaries, in protecting your peace, stewarding your strength, and refusing unnecessary battles.
We spent October learning precisely that.
Questions from #SWATSwatchtower today:
1). Have we become so occupied with protecting ourselves that we no longer see anybody else?
Healthy self-stewardship and self-preoccupation are not the same thing: where one enables you to serve responsibly, the other gradually makes your own wellbeing the governing consideration in everything. Such as;
1). Will this inconvenience me?
2). Will this disturb my peace?
3). Will this require something from me?
4). Will this take my time?
Most of the time, the answer will legitimately be yes, and wisdom still says no.
But there are times when love costs something:
● The Good Samaritan was interrupted.
● Ministry can be inconvenient.
● Compassion sometimes changes our schedule.
● Bearing another’s burden can require strength.
● Hospitality requires room.
● Discipleship requires patience.
The answer cannot always be: “I am protecting my peace.” Christ calls us to spend ourselves wisely for someone else.
CHECK THE BALANCE
a). Have boundaries helped you become healthier or unreachable?
b). Has discernment made you wiser or suspicious?
c). Has protecting your peace made you governed or unwilling to tolerate any inconvenience?
d). Has guarding your time helped you steward your assignment, or made other people’s needs automatically unwelcome?
Preservation should make us more capable of healthy service, not less willing to serve.
WATCHMAN’S CHARGE
Guard your heart, but do not harden it.
Protect your strength, but remain generous.
Maintain boundaries, but leave room for compassion.
Exercise discernment, but do not treat everybody as a potential threat.
Most of the time, the person interrupting your carefully planned day is simply a person who needs kindness.
Ask God for wisdom to know the difference.
PRAYER
Father, examine my heart, and show me where healthy stewardship has quietly become self-preoccupation.
I refuse guilt-driven service and unhealthy overextension, and I also refuse a life so protected that there is no room left for love.
Help me to know when to say no, fill me with the grace of generosity, and the wisdom to recognize when love requires a yes.
Keep my heart tender, my discernment sharp, and my motives pure.
Make what You have preserved in me available for Your purposes.In Jesus’ matchless name. Amein.
PONDER THIS
Has protecting yourself made you healthier and more capable of loving, or simply harder to reach?
CARRY IT.
Shalom,
Hephzibah Christly
#TheSpiritualWarrior
