Setting boundaries are not unbiblical
I just finished a week of much needed debriefing at a great place called CIT – Center for Intercultural Training. I did my equipping at the beginning of my time with them as well.
I would highly recommend them… seriously, here’s their website - https://cit-online.org/ !!!!
If you do not have a place to process coming off the field, check them out!
It was time well spent.
In one of our last small group meetings, the question was asked “What would you tell to your little self before getting on to the field?”
What would I have told “Grace” (the name my friends gave me) before reaching my place of ministry.
The first thing that popped into my head: Boundaries are not unbiblical.
Jesus had them and he also took naps! :D Look at the story in the boat on the sea with a storm…
Without going into too much detail, some people of my team were working on fumes. I entered into the field fresh and ready to go with healthy coping skills and a perspective that I needed to make life here sustainable for long-term ministry. I was surrounded by people that had removed their boundaries claiming that the stress they took on was for the mission to keep going… Being stressed was put on a pedestal of high spirituality and a requirement for doing “well” in ministry.
I learned that it is okay to be alone in setting boundaries of what level of stress I can cope with.
I am not less spiritual than others for doing so.
The mission will still go on because CHRIST is making it happen… not me.
So to my future goers … don’t lose hope in what you have just read. I was called to GO and I had a wonderful two years... but they were also tremendously lonely at times because I chose to take care of myself.
I pray you will have a team that allows you to take care of yourself when your stress levels are high. Even so, reach out… take time away if necessary to recharge and nourish your own soul.
If you are not okay, ministry will become draining and soul-empty.
Allow God to use rest and reflection to speak truth into your own situation.
You are not alone in this. I wish someone had told me this as I was starting my time. You are not alone. You don’t have to do things all by yourself.
We were not created to do ministry in this way.
That is what I will leave to future goers… set boundaries, care for your soul and allow Christ to lead in all areas of your life and ministry. To Him be all glory and honor.