Healing Red Line Relationships Through Journaling

Recently, I overheard someone saying, "You have to be a lid for every pot," which is a Croatian/Serbian expression. It refers to a person who feels the need to answer every question or control every situation. Such individuals often overstep boundaries. If you've recently met someone like this and find them irritating, or if you recognize yourself as a "lid for every pot," today's blog post is for you. 

Overstepping boundaries appears to be a longstanding issue, affecting both believers and non-believers. Such actions lead to various disruptions in families, churches, and workplaces… 

As you read today’s blog post, do challenging relationships come to mind? It's likely that some red lines were crossed in the past, leaving wounds that can sometimes have devastating impacts on relationships and the ability to live and work in peace and harmony.. 

Today, I invite you to consider the possibility of embarking on a prayerful journey to restore relationships where red lines were previously crossed. Remember, true restoration is a grace from God and requires a willingness to change as part of the process. 

As we can only affect our own capacity for change, this is where we will begin our restoration process today. We will begin by asking ourselves: How can I overcome my character limitations, specifically the urge to control things that are not my responsibility? 

In a letter to the followers of Christ in Rome, Apostle Paul addresses the issue of overstepping boundaries and provides this guidance: “If you preach, focus solely on delivering God’s Message; if you assist others, simply help without taking control; if you teach, remain dedicated to your teaching; if you offer encouraging advice, ensure you don’t become domineering; if you are in charge, avoid manipulation; if you are called to support those in distress, stay alert and respond promptly; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t become frustrated or disheartened by them. Keep a smile on your face.” Romans 12:6-8 MSG

Today, as you reflect on "red line relationships" in your life, you can express to the Holy Spirit your desire to see these relationships restored. To show your willingness to begin a journey of change and healing, consider starting a new journal to work through the challenges these relationships may present. Commit to continually bringing unresolved issues into a space of prayerful journaling until the process is complete and you receive an answer to your prayers, in whatever form it may come.

Commit to pushing through this difficult challenge and make sure you learn and grow from it. On the other side of the crossed red lines is a journey of hope, restoration, and healing.

Poem 1 from a collection “The Book of Poems”

I feel like a drunken man

Looking around with a foggy view

I look at my bottle and wonder what to do.

In a sobering moment 

I turn my face toward the good Father

And I ask: “What should I do?”

He points to the lid, 

He wants me to see what is inside. 

I see only darkness, where decaying smells reside.

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