Well, hey friends, it's so great to have you back on another edition of the weekday podcast. Pastor Chuck and I love this, and we love being able to offer cups of encouragement every single day. And we've been thinking a lot lately about forgiveness. And so as we think about forgiveness today, I want to talk about the thing that causes a lot of tension, that trips a lot of us up, especially people that want to follow the teachings of Jesus. Here's the question that we get a lot in some form or fashion. If I forgive someone, do I have to let them back in my life? If I forgive someone, do I have to let them back in my life? And so I want to say this on the front end. Forgiveness and boundaries are not actually opposites. Most people pit them as opposites, but they're not. Forgiveness and boundaries are actually partners. When you think about it this way, forgiveness is about the heart and boundaries are about health. And so the idea is that you can release someone from the debt that they owe you, but it doesn't mean that you have to give them the keys to your emotional front door. You can forgive and say, I still need space. There's lots of examples of this, but Jesus modeled this in John 2. It says that he didn't entrust himself to certain people because he knew what was in their hearts. That's actually a boundary. Jesus loved everyone, but he didn't let everyone in super close. So maybe someone hurt you and now you feel torn. Or maybe you've heard, if you've really forgiven, you'll reconcile. But that's not always wise and it's not always even possible. Forgiveness is saying, you don't owe me anymore. Boundary says, and I won't allow you to hurt me again. Both can be true at the same time. So if you're thinking about it in a very practical way, one is to ask this question, what's the most loving distance I can hold from this person right now? Not just loving to them, but to you, to your family, and to your peace? That's a great question. A second idea is to create a boundary statement. I forgive them, but I don't trust them. I release the debt, but I'm choosing to heal at a safe distance. That's okay. And then number three, say it out loud if it helps. Forgiveness opens the door to peace and boundaries, keeps it from being stolen. Let me say that again. Forgiveness opens the door to peace, but boundaries keeps it from being stolen. And so if someone tells you forgiveness means keeping toxic people close, they're actually confusing grace with passivity. Boundaries are actually biblical. And when forgiveness and boundaries work together, your heart can stay soft without making your life an open wound. And so today, maybe you want to pray this part of the prayer with me to say, jesus, thank you for being a God of mercy and wisdom. Thank you for teaching us to forgive with open hands, but also to walk in wisdom. God, would you give us courage today to create boundaries that protect the healing that you've begun? And it's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thanks so much for being with us on the weekday podcast. If you don't mind, would you comment on it? Would you share it? Would you post on social media? We'd love to encourage even more people. Have a great day.
