tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post5916497417846094382..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: Writing BoundariesJeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-50972124338242052262012-04-04T19:52:12.904+10:002012-04-04T19:52:12.904+10:00Hi Narelle,
Sounds to me like encouragement writin...Hi Narelle,<br />Sounds to me like encouragement writing is your God-given niche. And after reading this post, I'm tempted to reconsider an ongoing commitment I've taken upon myself which is making me gloomy whenever it comes around.Paula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-60830315793297089012012-04-04T19:42:04.324+10:002012-04-04T19:42:04.324+10:00Thanks for that timely reminder, Narelle. It's...Thanks for that timely reminder, Narelle. It's something we struggle with when we minister in Thailand each year. Sometimes more than thirty services in a little less than a month, which also includes travelling time to different provinces. It really exhausts us and each year we ask if it could be a little less. But as the time draws nearer many extra meetings come in and we cannot seem to say no. At least we have part of January to recuperate.Perhaps it's because it costs so much to go there, plus gifts to pastors, and hotel costs etc, we feel we need to work hard while we're there.Rita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-62984622450866207812012-04-04T16:32:48.472+10:002012-04-04T16:32:48.472+10:00Hi Narelle, I'm glad you're finding the ri...Hi Narelle, I'm glad you're finding the right balance so you won't burn out :) I also tell people I'll get back to them before taking on a new commitment. I can be too good at saying no when it would be wiser to pray and seek wisdom first. One thing I consider is if I'm uniquely qualified to do something or if there are others who could easily take on the task. We have a God-given desire to love others and meet needs and it can be hard to discern God's will.Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-41948110248152732682012-04-04T15:53:52.084+10:002012-04-04T15:53:52.084+10:00Great post Narelle. And you've raised an excel...Great post Narelle. And you've raised an excellent issue. The last decade or so of my life has brought me many challenges. I realised that the only way of getting through all of them was to have as my greatest priority, my time with God; saying 'Yes' to God and seeking His will for me. And saying 'No' when 'No' should be the answer. Takes time to learn doesn't it? But I do so want the quality of my life to be good. I know God doesn't want us to burn ourselves out. So thanks for highlighting a factor which is vital for all of us who follow Jesus. Far better to keep our light shining rather than have it snuffed out by doing too much.<br />Thanks Narelle,<br />Well done on doing great on that front this year.And thanks for spurring us on as well.<br />AnushaAnusha Atukoralahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859837228901127984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-77157383147691937612012-04-04T09:55:32.835+10:002012-04-04T09:55:32.835+10:00Thanks for your post, Narelle.
It is encouraging ...Thanks for your post, Narelle. <br />It is encouraging to read that I'm not the only one trying to take on less this year and for similar reasons. For me it is part of my attempts to live simply - if I can de-clutter my life then I am not just being simple in regards to possessions but in regards to person. It then allows me to be generous. Funny full circle really.Penny Reevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673959533876970193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-81104413043162597402012-04-04T09:29:40.094+10:002012-04-04T09:29:40.094+10:00Thanks for your encouragement. It is still hard fo...Thanks for your encouragement. It is still hard for me, but I find that by telling people I'll get back to them it stops me from saying yes straight away. I've also observed people around me saying no and realising that I don't like them any less!!Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05055531203646493126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-76004664120478510162012-04-04T09:26:28.932+10:002012-04-04T09:26:28.932+10:00I have struggled for so long with the theological ...I have struggled for so long with the theological side of this Peter. It wasn't until I was crippled with panic, depression and anxiety that I realised serving til I was burnt out was not really what God had in mind for me!Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05055531203646493126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-12233154302016321812012-04-04T08:45:28.550+10:002012-04-04T08:45:28.550+10:00Well done, Narelle! God bless and keep you in that...Well done, Narelle! God bless and keep you in that place of peace at saying no to things that would overload.Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-43565923807675029432012-04-04T08:35:12.368+10:002012-04-04T08:35:12.368+10:00I am thankful I learned to say no a long time ago....I am thankful I learned to say no a long time ago. Before that, I feared rejection, that somehow by saying no, people wouldn't like me anymore. But, I soon discovered that they didn't hate me for saying no. In fact, I think I gained some respect. It's funny the way things work.Amanda Deedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430837640142332983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-14380196248682566272012-04-04T07:56:45.492+10:002012-04-04T07:56:45.492+10:00It took me a long time to learn to say 'no'...It took me a long time to learn to say 'no' too Narelle. Even when I had read the Boundaries book and was facilitating courses in Boundaries for others, I still had to practice my own boundary setting very diligently. I think as Christians we often learn to feel guilty saying no to anything others ask of us. It's a relief to understand the whole issue from a Godly perspective and become good stewards of our time, energy and resources. I'm glad you are feeling that you're doing better in this area. I'ts very freeing.Carol Preston https://www.blogger.com/profile/00306981583283008014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-18324232207055594192012-04-04T06:41:40.495+10:002012-04-04T06:41:40.495+10:00Hi Narelle,
Many christians "do" things ...Hi Narelle,<br />Many christians "do" things for reasons other than God wants them to and I think it is a very spiritually mature person who can sit back and discern why they constantly "do" things especially if you have beeen brought up to believe "people or even God will like me, take notice of me, think I'm great or need me" because of what I do. I pray others read this post and know that doing doesn't equal being loved by God, He loves us anyway.Jennifer Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09284057776201270126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-22996109442408306192012-04-04T06:28:51.683+10:002012-04-04T06:28:51.683+10:00This is such a common problem. In addition to the ...This is such a common problem. In addition to the factors you listed, I think that 'responsibility' has a lot to answer for. It seems to be natural for us to feel somewhat responsible for everything that's going on around us, and therefore it's incumbent on us to fix it. But we're not actually responsible for everything, and even if we were, we couldn't fix it all.<br /><br />This is a tricky one to reconcile theologically. I do believe that God levies great responsibilities on us, but I don't think we're supposed to discharge them to the extent that we can no longer feel 'love, joy, peace', etc.Peter McLennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07446729346706052416noreply@blogger.com