August 12
Scripture focus: God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God's nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
"Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth." Genesis 1:26-28 (The Message)
God designed us to take responsibility for our lives – both relational and purposeful. When we fail to set limits and boundaries, we end up with all sorts of signs and symptoms (that are not the issue – the issue is boundary boo-boos).
Drs. Cloud and Townsend have provided some symptoms that plague people who don't know how to properly use boundaries. These are warning signs that we've confused taking responsibility for and to. Here are some of their suggested signs that we might have boundary issues: depression, resentment, rage or anger, obsessive and compulsive behaviors, a vague sense of loss of both freedom and love, procrastination as a lifestyle, extreme disorganization, low energy level, problems concentrating, feeling overwhelmed, physical ailments like high blood pressure, allergies, obesity, ulcers, fatigue and headaches, self-pity, feeling left out, envy, addictions, chronic worrying, and crying spells!
That's quite the list.
Bottom line: if we don't figure out what we are responsible for and distinguish that from who we are responsible to we're going to be in big trouble. Clearly, we will be unfit for God's grand epic adventures.
Recommended reading: 1 Kings 10-12
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