Joel Osteen Devotional March 18 2021 – Controllers

Proverbs 29:25, MSG

The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in GOD protects you from that.

Some people always have problems, always want your help, and are always in crisis mode. They expect you to come running, to cheer them up, and keep them encouraged. And if you don’t, they try to make you feel guilty. You love them, but you should put up a boundary to keep them from continually dumping their problems on you. You are not responsible for their happiness or to keep them fixed. You have to protect your peace. You have a limited supply of emotional energy each day. If you’re taking on their problems, you’re not going to have the emotional energy for what you need. You’re not their savior; they already have a Savior. A lot of times instead of helping them, we’re simply enabling their dysfunction. If they get upset when you put up a boundary, they are controllers and manipulators. They like you for what you can do for them, not for who you are. You don’t need friends like that. Make a change, and God will give you true friends.

Father, thank You that You have called me to love and help others, but not to try to fix them or make them happy. Help me to protect my own emotional energy. I declare that I am not responsible for other people s happiness. In Jesus Name, Amen.