2595) My upbringing as an old-school Christian taught me to consider others before myself. I think this is a good thing, and yet, sometimes, this thinking of others involves boundaries.

Leviticus 19:18 tells us to not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. (ESV)

When reading a verse like this one, taking the most obvious teaching is easy to conclude, (but not so easy to do). Be a forgiving and loving person to even your enemies.

What I hadn’t really considered is that sometimes, the most loving thing to do for others involves setting boundaries and communicating that their words or behavior do not serve their best interest nor mine.

Just as adults shouldn’t let children eat a bunch of sugar and snacks before a meal, the idea of a specific boundary is when we choose to step in and act on others’ and our own behalf.

Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is to say no.