Not Today!
How well have you been doing within the past 3 years with setting boundaries? If you are anything like me, you have set boundaries and have been very successful, which may have led you to discover some new things about yourself. But, if you are also anything like me, you have set boundaries, only to come up short on the expectations of enforcing them. As good as it may sound, it can be challenging to set boundaries and successfully uphold them to the highest of standard. Let’s face it, sometimes our mind knows the right thing to do, but our flesh has that takeover spirit in it, preventing us from the follow through that is much needed. Though setting boundaries can be challenging, God wants us to set boundaries. However, setting boundaries will require self-control, which can be even more challenging!
Queen Esther, found herself having to take a stand very quickly, after becoming queen. She found herself having to face her husband’s closest confidante, exposing his evil plot to kill her people, the Jews, due to his own grimy, takeover spirit. Girl, she was scared, but she knew that if she did not stand for what was right, thousands and thousands of people would be murdered, including herself. So, she fixed her crown, after completing a challenging three day fast, and faced her husband, the king, knowing that she could be murdered on the spot, in hopes to save a nation of innocent people. Now, imagine what kind of bold courage it took for this young WOMAN to operate from. Women of today, let alone thousands of years ago, did not always receive the respect that they deserved. Also, she had to boldly stand up to a high ranking MAN, exposing his plots and schemes. Even today, women have been silenced due to titles of their abuser, fearing persecution in return. Queen Esther had self-control like no other! She tucked away her fear and did what was needed to be done, FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.
We must consider allowing for her story and boldness to inspire us, sis. Setting boundaries will look different for each situation, such as saying no to ongoing abuse, facing an intimidating individual, muting negativity within your personal and family relationships, separating ourselves from what no longer serves us, taking control of our fears, insecurities and even our addictions and traumas. I am not sure where boundaries needs to be set in your life, but I can assure you, God will be your guide, if you allow Him in on the process, because it won’t be easy! YOU WERE CREATED FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. Own it. Do not be a city with no wall, allowing for toxicity to flood your peace. Tap into your Queen Esther spirit, and be BOLD and COURAGEOUS. Stand your ground and tell the enemy……………. NOT TODAY!
“But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.” 1 Corinthians 5:11 NKJV
“If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who do the work, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.” So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. And the king said to Haman, “The money and the people are given to you, to do with them as seems good to you.””
Esther 3:9-11 NKJV
“Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!” So Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.” Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.”
Esther 5:1-5 NKJV
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