In my last post I started a discussion on how to decide whether you should "hold a rope" for someone else. What I'm talking about is learning how to set boundaries in your life so you don't take responsibility for more than you should or enable someone else's irresponsible behavior. Track back to read the other posts. I'm offering a number of questions to help people set boundaries. Here are three more:

Question One: Whose Responsibility Is It?

Imagine a world where everyone carried their own weight. Maybe that’s heaven! But some people make it their lifelong career to give away their responsibility. They pushed it off on their mom and siblings, then their classmates, their girlfriend/boyfriend, and co-workers.  Through the years they develop the slick ability to never own anything while those around them constantly caught what they let drop. It’s a good deal for them!

I don’t know about you, but I have enough responsibility in my life. I can’t afford to take on what’s not mine. So I never automatically assume responsibility when someone hands me “a rope".” You shouldn’t either. When someone gives you their rope don’t be afraid to ask questions about whether or not this is their responsibility.  If it's theirs say, “No thanks. This is your responsibility.”

You might say, “But what if they let everything drop and it breaks?”  It’s amazing what consequences teach people. The reason people don’t take responsibility is that someone has always been there to block the natural consequences to their irresponsibility. So, yes… it hurts to see the consequences but the problem is not yours to solve and the consequences aren’t your fault. Don’t take that on.

Question Two: Am I the only person who can help?

When someone presents me with a valid need I don’t assume that I’m the best person to solve the problem.  It really helps that I have a strong faith in God and not in MY ability to rescue people. There are millions of people on this planet.  God doesn’t need ME.

In some cases, I might be uniquely suited to solve a problem. But odds are, I’m not the only person who can help. There has to be more pressing reasons for me to pick up a rope than just being handed a rope.  I might offer to hold a rope temporarily while I determine if I’m the right person or until I can find someone else.

Question Three: What Will You Stop Doing?

Some people feel like they are a bad person or bad Christian if they don’t help. But you have to factor in the full impact of picking up a rope.  I may help you, but by helping you I might have to stop helping someone else. Is that fair?  Maybe.  

Most people don’t STOP helping one person when they START helping another. They typically just pick up another rope, which means they fail to help anyone well and burn themselves out in the process.

My wife is very good at challenging me about my schedule. I'll casually say, "Oh, by the way, I'm going to start teaching a class every Tuesday." Her classic response is, "That's great honey. What are you going to drop from your schedule to make this possible?"  It's taken me a few years (read decades) to learn, but with a full schedule I HAVE to stop something in order to start something else. No excuses.

Because I accept very few ropes, I’m available to fulfill MY daily responsibilities as well as having enough margin to respond to the crises that arise throughout the week where I'm truly needed. People appreciate that availability.

Set Boundaries with God's Help

Boundaries take wisdom and courage, two things God is happy to give you if you ask. Consider using these questions in your prayers to God to help clarify what you should do.

I still have a few more things to say about boundaries in coming posts. Keep reading!

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