Inspiration

Some people are peace stealers. They always have problems, always need your help, and are always in crisis mode. They expect you to come running, to cheer them up, to keep them encouraged. And if you don't, they make you feel guilty. You love them, but they continually dump their problems on you. It's easy to take on a false sense of responsibility, trying to keep them fixed. But you are not responsible for other people's happiness. You're not their savior; they already have a Savior. A lot of times instead of helping them, we're simply enabling their dysfunction.

You have to protect your peace and take care of your emotional energy. If you're taking on all this extra drama, you're not going to have the emotional energy you need for your dreams, for your family, and for your assignment. If you'll put up some boundaries, your life will be more peaceful and more effective. When you tell someone, "I can't talk with you now. I'm not going to bail you out again. I don't have time to keep you cheered up" and they get upset, they really aren't your friend; they are a controller, a manipulator. They like you for what you can do for them, not for who you are.  

Jesus did this. After a long day of teaching the people and praying for them, scripture says He left the crowds and went away to rest. There were still many people waiting for prayer, many needs that weren't met. But Jesus knew He needed to get away and be quiet so He could be refreshed and restored. Jesus didn't let other people run His life, and neither should you. Life is too short to go through it being pulled out of rest, letting peace stealers control your destiny. Make this decision with me, "This is a new day. I'm going to live in rest. If Jesus needed to protect His peace, I need to set boundaries to keep others from stealing my peace."