God Gave the Heavens Themselves Boundaries......So I should have them too!

I was taught if you are a threat to Satan he will try to attack you!  Notice I said T-R-Y!  I am most certainly on the right track because Satan has me on his radar right now ~ but Praise God!! and Praise God again!! God is in control - all I have to do is listen to Him.  I have had three conversations recently regarding relationship boundaries (i.e., how someone should/shouldn't treat you - what is and isn't acceptable behavior towards another person, etc.)
Today I had a "friend" take a bulldozer through my boundaries.  I had an opportunity to be either extremely angry or extremely hurt.  My "friend" sent me an unsolicited email re: a certain choice I have made.  I have to believe in my heart that she truly thought what she was doing "was best" - however, her email was extremely judgmental of my choice and me personally.  She even made out and out absurd observations about things that are so far from truth they were bizarre.

It took me about 15 minutes of shock and awe before the "bell" in my head rang and I realized ~ "Wait a second - this is only a test!!"  You see the writer of this e-mail hit me in two of my most vulnerable places.  She has no way of knowing that ~ but Satan sure does.  I heard Joyce Meyer speaking about spiritual warfare this weekend and she said something very interesting "Sometimes well meaning Christian people can be used by the enemy.  That does not mean that they are possessed by the Devil or the Devil is controlling them.  But Satan will use our weaknesses."  Unknowingly this woman was being used by the Satan.

Fast ward to this evening. I watched the Potter's House Bible study tonight with Pastor Sheryl Brady (I really like her!!) The main topic of her sermon was The Discipline of Rest. But within that sermon she had a whole section on boundaries. Pastor Brady speaks quickly - and every single thing she says is powerful - so I attempt to take notes which is humorous.  But here is a synopsis of what she said regarding boundaries:

"We are living overwhelmed lives - over committed lives.  We want to please everybody - that will cause you to be spiritually and emotionally overdrawn.  And then Satan can come in and rob you of your hope.  Hope is the oxygen of the soul.  Without hope your soul will die.  Are you doing everything you can for yourself?  It is your job to protect yourself.  Life is full of bullies and pushers - pushers are people who will push you to the edge! It is time to push back.  Satan will tell you you are gonna lose your mind! - but I say, "Satan you are a lie!" Scripture says God has given us love and a sound mind.  (II Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind).

People will push you! You better know your boundaries.  Boundaries are your personal property lines.  Stay in control of you boundaries.  You know who you are when you have boundaries.  You know what you love and what you hate.  You know what makes you comfortable and what makes you uncomfortable.  You know what you will do and you will not do.  Those that are unsure of their boundaries attempt to please everybody - everybody goes home pleased and you are empty.  Pleasers are easily controlled by the emotions of others.  You must learn to say - "If you can not respect my boundaries - you can not be part of my life."  Guard your heart.  God Himself established boundaries - He established how far the oceans could come in, when the moon would shine and when the sun will shine.  The Heavens themselves have boundaries"

GOD GAVE THE HEAVENS THEMSELVES BOUNDARIES!!!

I humbly ask that you pray with me about the most gracious, grace-filled, diplomatic response I can offer my friend.  I recognize she meant well ~ however ~ she made some very serious judgements about my personal character - that would be a boundary breaker. And, sadly, in this case - a friendship breaker.