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I want you to imagine the holiday season. You’re a wife and a mother of busy little ones and you are in the kitchen preparing for a big meal. The kids are playing and continue to run in and out of the kitchen happily and carefree as they laugh.
What do you tell them? If you’re like me, you’d most likely tell them to stop playing in the kitchen. Maybe you’d advise them to go outside or to the family room. Why? It’s important to give them boundaries. Boundaries sometimes have a negative connotation, so today, let’s look at them from a different perspective. Let’s talk about boundaries in the Bible.
What Are Boundaries?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, a boundary is a line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line. Our human nature and culture would have us look at boundaries with disgust in some areas of our lives. For example: not being able to sleep in when you have to get up for work, or knowing that we shouldn’t eat a whole pint of ice cream.
However, boundaries are actually very good. Let’s think back to the scenario earlier. Our kids are running around in the kitchen and we need to set boundaries. These boundaries are for the children’s protection. If we let them run in the kitchen, they can accidentally pull something down, knock something over, or get burned by the oven or stove. We set boundaries to keep them safe.
Boundaries and the Christian Woman
In the same way, we set boundaries for our children, God sets boundaries for us. It’s important that we understand that these boundaries in the Bible are for our protection and benefit. We are His daughters and He loves us and wants to keep us safe and well cared for.
The Bible is a guide that provides instructions and boundaries for us as Christian wives and mothers. It instructs us on how to live, behave, and carry ourselves as women of God. It even says things like
Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
Proverbs 29:17
If we adhere to this boundary in disciplining our children, we will have rest, peace, and delight. If we go rogue and do as we please, we will end up with the exact opposite.
When the Bible instructs us as wives to respect and submit to our husbands, we must understand that this is for our benefit and protection. This is why it’s so important that we teach single women to be intentional and choose wisely before entering into the covenant of marriage. Our husbands are our coverings. They are tasked with the job of protecting and providing for us from a natural perspective (God also protects, provides, etc.)
God has given us our husbands to be our head and leader, thus, if He instructs us to respect and submit to our husbands, we must trust that He knows exactly what He is talking about.
Boundaries are Good
There are many other boundaries set forth in the Word of God. We know that we set boundaries for our children (don’t run around a swimming pool, don’t touch the stove, don’t open the door for strangers) for their benefit and well-being.
We must also trust and know that God, our Father, sets boundaries in His word for us- His children (love unconditionally, forgive seventy times seven, give 10% of your income, train your kids in the Lord, respect your husband, etc.)
So, the next time your flesh may be tempted to feel some type of way about something God is telling you to do, remember that it’s because He loves you. The boundary may seem tough in the moment but know that it’s for your well-being, safety, and benefit. Lay your feelings and logic aside and be obedient. We won’t ever regret doing what God has instructed us to do.
Looking for more encouragement in the faith? Read this blog next! How I Walk By Faith As a Mom