Hey y’all. I feel that the biggest takeaway so far for September is to ensure that we are pouring back into ourselves as much as we are investing and pouring into others. Sometimes I find myself overextending to everyone around me, but when it comes time to invest in myself and my health, I tend to fall short. Whether it is making sure I am eating properly, drinking water daily, going to the gym, or taking long walks in nature, I can easily put my own needs on the back burner and begin to view them as though they are of low importance. Many people do the same thing, putting the needs of others above their own and neglecting themselves in the process. We pour into our families, kids, friends, and even our jobs. Over time, this shifts from a force of habit into an active lifestyle, conditioning us to believe that constant self-neglect is normal. If we are not careful, this can cause us to play God in the lives of others. We begin to believe that if we do not show up every time someone calls or appears to be in need, we are somehow failing them. Yet, this hinders them from truly experiencing the fullness of God and can become a crutch to their spiritual growth and maturity, as we are called to trust and depend on God. God is Jehovah Jireh for them as much as He is for you.

“He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name.”

Psalms 23:2-3 TPT

I am not saying we should stop helping others, but we must discern and do what God is truly calling us to do. Sometimes, what appears to be service is actually a distraction. We pour out our resources, time, and energy into things or people that God never instructed us to take on. The enemy cannot remove the call God has over your life, but he can get you to waste time. Every ounce of time, energy, and resource we give outside of God’s direction can keep us from moving toward the goals and assignments He has for us. There is beauty in generosity, but there is also wisdom in boundaries.

May we learn to be still, trusting that in rest, we are restored.