One of the breakout sessions "workshop sessions" at the women's retreat I attended this month was on "spiritual boundaries". I sure needed it. So many times I fight though both mental and spiritual exhaustion, because I still need to learn how to set healthy spiritual boundaries. One of the quotes that stuck out to me the most, during the session, was "be a fence, not an open gate", so I wanted to build on that to share and learn.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” — Proverbs 4:23
A fence has a purpose. It marks a boundary. It protects what is inside and keeps certain things from freely coming in. But a good fence also has a gate—and the gate isn’t meant to stay wide open.
Spiritually, we need both.
God calls us to love people, forgive people, pray for people, and show grace. But loving someone does not mean giving them unlimited access to our heart, mind, time, and peace.
You can love someone from across a fence.
A spiritual boundary says, “I love you, but I cannot allow this behavior into my life.” It says, “I forgive you, but that doesn’t mean I have to keep opening the gate to something that continually brings confusion, hurt, temptation, or spiritual harm.”
Even a gate has hinges for a reason. It opens when it should and closes when it needs to.
Jesus loved everyone, but He did not give everyone the same access to Him. There were times He ministered to the crowds, times He withdrew, and times He allowed only a few people close.
Don’t feel guilty for putting up a fence where God is telling you to establish a boundary. Boundaries aren't always walls of rejection; sometimes they are fences of protection.
Ask God for wisdom about who and what you allow through the gate.
You can have a tender heart and still have strong boundaries. You can love deeply without giving everything unlimited access.
Guard your heart. Keep your fence strong. And let God help you decide when the gate should open—and when it needs to stay closed. ❤️
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