As a female, I realize that I possess the natural ability to nurture. And as we grow into young ladies and womanhood, not only are we dealing with the natural instinct to take care of others, but we are taught and trained that putting others first is our most dignified honor. We give everything we have to others. As wives, we dedicate ourselves as the help of our husbands. With the word "help" ranging so far and wide in various meaning, we find ourselves extending far beyond what we may be physically or mentally capable of. If we have children, the burden is expanded as we add on the role of protector to our offspring. Suddenly, the entire house in which a woman resides has become a place that she has to maintain by performing domestic tasks as well as being the backbone and support that keeps a husband and children afloat on a daily basis. Day in and day out, nothing seems to function or progress without the sacrifice of the woman's strength, acts of service, and generosity. And this analysis is just in reference to her household. Imagine if she is an employee, a community service worker, or a caretaker for elderly parents. This woman is now overloaded with responsibilities that extend past her immediate domain. She is now plagued with deadlines from work while trying to be faithful to ministry and see after loved ones. I ran down this litany of responsibilities to show just how thin a woman can stretch herself all in the name of nurturing simply because she has been trained to believe that she is not virtuous if she cannot handle it all.
If you have found yourself in a mental rut because you have adopted the false narrative that says you have to be everything to everybody, I have one word to share. BOUNDARIES! No matter what you have been trained or told about what it means to be a woman, just know that anything that puts you or your body under physical, emotional, or mental duress is not God's will for your life. Who God sets free is free and to live a life of stress is not freedom. It is imprisonment.
As I continue in this series, "Take Care of You", I plan to unpack several things that we as women often overlook as it relates to taking care of ourselves. One of the first things you must do after determining what is good for you is protecting your sanity. With so many things and people demanding our attention, the best way to fight the chaos awaiting to invade our peace is setting healthy boundaries.
In Luke 4, we see how Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting and preparing Himself for ministry. He was getting ready to do the work He was sent to do and consecrated Himself so that He would be adequately prepared to handle God's people. Oftentimes, we feel the same way about those we love and are called to. We go above and beyond to ensure they are loved and nurtured by us. We literally drain and overexert ourselves all in the name of virtuosity. This year, as you handle others, it is imperative that you teach others how to handle you!
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