Protecting Boundaries

Jed, Samantha, and Rob work for a nonprofit organization that helps military veterans.  They mostly love what they do, but they struggle immensely with the poor manner in which their organization is run. Their leader flips from one project to the next, often pulling them to work on a new requirement with no advance notice. They feel jerked around by the tyranny of what is most urgent—a reoccurring pattern that is not well thought through. Decisions are sometimes made for them in areas where they are subject matter experts without seeking their input or advice. They feel unheard and underappreciated. They are emotionally and physically exhausted because there are no work boundaries or protected times for them to rest and relax.

​Meditation
Proverbs 21:16—The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
 
We don’t know what the author of the proverb was considering when he mentioned straying from the way of wisdom, but the outcome was not pleasant.  Have you ever heard the phrase, “He worked himself to death?” The Japanese have a word, “karoshi,” which captures this idea of dying from overworking. It is likely not just overworking that kills people but the accompanying stress. To fail to get enough rest and to protect one’s spirit is to stray from the path of wisdom.  It directly threatens resilience and allows Satan room to foment bitterness.

Jed, Samantha, and Rob have a decision to make. They can complain about their conditions but reluctantly accept them, which will only add to their stress.  They can go to their leader who has failed to take care of them and ask for redress.  Hopefully, he will listen.  But if he does not fix what is unbalanced, they ought to tell him that they will set boundaries that ensure at least one day a week of rest and safeguards (unless there is a valid emergency) from last-minute taskers. If he refuses their request, they are working for the wrong organization.  If he agrees (the smart call), they will have gained what they need and feel better about their living conditions.
           
Someone once said, “The only people who get upset about you setting boundaries are the ones who were benefiting from you having none . . . Stop asking why they keep doing it and start asking why you keep allowing it.”  Sometimes well-intentioned leaders miss taking care of their people because they are preoccupied with other pressing issues.  It is our responsibility to speak up for ourselves when this happens. Protecting boundaries helps us live wisely. If we let God guide us when things are unbalanced, we can say with David, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely” (Psalm 16:9).    
 
Inspiration
You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep others warm.—Unknown
 
©2022 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)