This Is My Boundary Season!

In this season of my life, I’ve come to realize that I’m being called to set boundaries, boundaries I honestly didn’t know I was even allowed to set.

Through prayer, and after speaking with wise counsel, including a spiritual counselor, a trusted mentor, and even my physician, I now understand that these voices were used by God to speak directly to my spirit. They helped me see that “no” is a complete sentence. That setting boundaries isn’t selfish or unkind, it’s wise, it’s healthy, and it’s necessary for both spiritual and physical well-being.

Setting Boundaries Is Not Offense

We often confuse setting boundaries with taking offense. But they are not the same. Setting a boundary says: 

• “I love you, but I love me too. I want peace for you, and I want peace for me.”

• Offense says: “You hurt me, so I’m cutting you off out of anger or bitterness.”

One comes from wisdom, the other from wounding. The Bible warns us about the trap of offense: “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.” Proverbs 18:19

Offense builds walls out of pain. Boundaries build gates out of discernment. Boundaries are not about punishing others, they’re about protecting your peace, your purpose, and your health. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”  Proverbs 4:23

If you don’t guard your heart, everything that flows from it, your words, your thoughts, your energy will be affected. Setting boundaries is one way to guard your heart in love.

Peace, Not Bitterness

When you make up your mind to be happy, to live in peace, and to walk in love, without bitterness toward anyone, you are walking in the Spirit, not in offense. Yes, boundaries are being set. Yes, some people are being released. But my heart is clear. My mind is made up. I hold no ill will. I genuinely wish the best for those I’ve had to let go of. I pray they prosper, grow, and heal even as I walk out my own healing. “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 1:2

That’s not offense. That’s love. That’s maturity. That’s boundaries rooted in grace.

Let’s Make It Plain

If you're in a season where God is calling you to set boundaries, know this: you are not wrong. You are not being mean. You are being obedient to the call to steward your life well. Just make sure your heart is pure. Don’t let anger or bitterness guide you, let love and wisdom lead you. “Let all your things be done with charity.”  1 Corinthians 16:14 So, is it offense? Or is it boundaries? Ask your heart. Examine your motives. And let God’s Word be your guide.

Reflection Question:

Have you been afraid to set boundaries because you thought it meant you were walking in offense? What is the Holy Spirit showing you in this season?

A Prayer for Peace, Wisdom, and Healthy Boundaries

Heavenly Father, Thank You for being the God of peace, wisdom, and order. In this season, I acknowledge that You are calling me to walk in a new level of discernment, a season where I must protect my peace, guard my heart, and honor the space You've called me to grow in. Lord, help me to set boundaries with grace. Let my "yes" be yes, and my "no" be no. Teach me that saying "no" is not a rejection of others but an act of obedience to You and stewardship of my own well-being. Remove any root of bitterness, anger, or resentment from my heart. If there is offense hidden within me, reveal it, heal it, and replace it with Your love. I don’t want to move in pride or pain; I want to move in purpose.

Your Word says: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 So today, I choose to keep my heart. I choose peace. I choose healing. I choose freedom from the need to explain or justify what You have clearly spoken to my spirit.

Help me to walk away from what drains me, without walking away from love. Help me to speak the truth in love, and to carry no ill will toward anyone I’ve had to release. I pray they prosper, even as I pursue Your will for my life. “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 1:2

Father, thank You for using wise counsel to guide me, mentors, spiritual leaders, and even medical professional to affirm what You’ve been whispering to my spirit all along. You care about my health physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Let everything, I do in this season be rooted in love, covered in wisdom, and aligned with Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.