Whatever boundaries we have created, it is important for us to analyze why we put them up. Some boundaries are very healthy and should remain in tact. Others may have been put up out of hurts and may need to be adjusted as you heal. We like to call those "walls" as opposed to "boundaries". This is something that I am currently struggling with. Which boundaries are healthy and which are not. Wherever you are on the scale of your boundary making/adjusting here are some ideas on how to further show respect to yourself.
1) Do not waiver on your morality. The worst thing you can do to your self esteem is to become what you know is not morally right. It's a downward spiral that can lead to depression and a major loss of self respect.
2) Speak positively about yourself. Psalm 139:14 says "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Be your own cheerleader.
3) Don't let what others say or think about you, shape how you feel about yourself.
4) Work on improving yourself spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially.
5) Make a list of your positive attributes and strengths. Try to focus on these aspects of yourself.
Enjoyed reading this Meg. I used to be a single parent - for 12 years. Now I am older, remarried, and my daughter is 28, married with a newborn. God has been good and led me in such a tremendous way on my journey with Him. I did not have good boundaries in my younger single mom days. Thus, I was used, bruised, and felt powerless in some pretty bad relationships.
ReplyDeleteNot so today. God has delivered me from those former fears and now I can set healthy boundaries. Recently, I noticed some men friends in my life saying inappropriate things and forwarding inappropriate things to my inbox. One of these is not a godly man who I have known just in the neighborhood, but the other is a childhood friend and claims to be a godly man. I finally had enough of smiling, shrugging the inappropriate off and letting it go. I sent an email to each of them to 1) stop forwarding email to me and 2)reminding them of my relationship with my husband and with my Lord. I wouldn't have had the courage to do that before, but I prayed and God gave me the courage and words to say - even though via an email. I pray still that He will give me the courage to speak words of "boundaries" when necessary and always do it with the heart of Christ behind each word. It's not healthy to give the power of what flows into my life to anyone else, even if they claim to be a friend.
God bless you.
Thank you for your post! Your words of "It's not healthy to give the power of what flows into my life to anyone else" has spoken volumes to me! Thank you for your words and for reading.
DeleteI am not a single parent but this spoke volumes to me today wirh some family issues! Thank you for the post. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad, Jenny! Thank you for reading and God bless you as well!
DeleteI am so glad God led me to this page, Ive been searching for single parenting encouragement as I am a Mother of 2 teenagers...this was AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and I am so glad that you have found encouragement. Blessings to you and your two teens!
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