Boundaries

"But when the Jews opposed Paul and he became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." Acts 18:6

I love to hear Paul set boundaries. He loves the Jews but rightfully decided to step back from them and let them face their consequences. He drew a line about the verbal and physical abuse. He said, “No more” when it was time. He knew when he was done. Scripture says he “shook out his clothes”, a symbolic action of letting go and shaking off all the hurt. He surrendered the Jews to God. He refused to take their responsibility and to repeat the cycle of rejection, drama and abuse. The words and the feels ended. He released the chain and was free to move on. Who are you chained to? Who keeps dragging you abusively into the drama? When we truly surrender toxic situations to God, He takes them and we are done with them. Until you do, you are destined to repeat the crazy making and continue the abuse. Do you still love people? Of course. Do you still care, of course! Are you available under the right conditions? Yes. But the cycle stops. Paul drew a line, stayed behind it with this group. The results are miraculous. When we have our boundaries, God can move without us being in the way. Try it.

In Him,
Pastor Fred

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