Galatians 6:4 says” Each one should evaluate his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to someone else for each one should carry his own burden.

1. Jesus was very good at setting boundaries with those that were around Him, in spite of the fact that He gave His life to love and help them in every area possible before He was abandoned, disrespected, physically and mentally abused, and hung on a cross to die.

Mark 1:35-38 (in Capernaum-after teaching, and ministry for all day and late into the night)

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed:” Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else-to the nearby villages-so can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

2A. Besides being exhausted, what do a lack of boundaries cause?

2B. Then there’s the question of our intentions when we don’t have boundaries:

Jeremiah 17: 5, 7,8 This is what the Lord says, “ Cursed is the one who trusts in/clings to/relies on man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

But blessed is the man who trusts in/clings to/relies on the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes: its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

3. How do we set boundaries?

Isaiah 51:1 Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were cut and the quarry from which you were hewn.

Mark 3:31-33 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call Him. A crowd was sitting around Him, and they told Him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” “Who are my mother and my brothers?” He asked.

So in answer to the question of boundaries, we need to

1. take some time to evaluate who we are first, and then

2. determine our top five priorities and set our time according to those priorities-putting a boundary around them, and then

3. Inform those around us when they are violating those boundaries WITH LOVE and EMPATHY.