I don’t know about you, but whenever I feel wrongfully treated, there is a temptation in me to want to defend and justify myself. In times where someone believes slander or a lie about me, I have a strong desire to prove them wrong and set the record straight. But the question I struggle with is, “Is this the right response God is wanting me to take or is this my flesh and pride getting in the way?”

It was during one of the most recent pretend conversations that I caught myself hashing out, I experienced a sobering realization enter my mind. As soon as I silently said something inside my head, I realized that what I just thought about a particular person and situation, not only sounded selfish, but was actually also unkind. At that moment, I wondered what these words truly were revealing about my heart?

I am often not good at establishing, or maintaining boundaries. There are times when I feel like boundaries are “selfish” – a way to protect my interests when I “could” or “should” be doing something for someone else.

Almost from the time I could talk, I often got in trouble for what I said. I was very good at saying exactly what I wanted – and if it was mean, and if it was rude, if it’s what I wanted to say, I said it. It was my most effective weapon after being hurt or angered.