Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”
Shabbat Shalom Mishpochah And Chaverim,
Due to the COVID -19, this Friday was my last day at work until further notice. This happened three months early this year in March. Before we got the news about us closing again. I had an unpleasant encounter with one of the patients at our program. I noticed how he had taken a liking to me and started to find a reason to come into my group room. One day between groups, he came into my group room and addressed me as beautiful while invading my personal space. My reaction was just to remove myself, so I left him sitting there alone. That Friday, I avoided him but did not say anything to anyone yet. I waited to see if this behavior would continue. Towards the end of the day on Friday, as he was leaving, he says by "babe." At that moment, I told myself I have to address this because if I returned after the closure, he would think this behavior is acceptable. So, I spoke with my clinical supervisor, and she agreed and that another male therapist is there with me when I talk with him. The patient was supposed to come on Tuesday for his last day, and he did not show up. They reported that he did not feel well. He has never been absent since coming to our program, and the day I had the nerve to confront him, he does not show up.
HaShem whispered in my ear and reminded me how I cannot wait to confront situations when it happens. All my life, I struggled with confrontation. I have grown over the years, but this situation has shown me that there is still some growing to do. I was angry with myself for not saying something when I had the opportunity to do so. "When we have the opportunity to set things straight we cannot procrastinate” I had to do some self-evaluation to determine why I waited to say something. I have been praying for boldness, asking HaShem to give me the wisdom to know when and what to speak. Reflecting back on this now, this was a test to see if my boldness is developing. I'm the type of person who always cares about people's feelings and how they will think of me. However, as Believers in Yeshua, we cannot please men and HaShem simultaneously. We are encouraged throughout the scriptures to be bold and courageous and speak the truth in love. When I think about Yeshua's life and how he had to confront the disciples when he already knew they were going to betray him.
Thinking about my situation, one particular scripture comes to mind, and that is Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." As a professional, it was my duty to inform him of his fault to let him know that this behavior was inappropriate and address me as my name.
In closing, setting boundaries and confronting when it's needed is vital for us to have as believers. Sometimes people think because we are friendly, kind, loving, generous and G-D fearing, we are supposed to let people take advantage of us, speak out of terms, and overstep their boundaries. No, for us to continue to give freely as HaShem has given to us, we have to set healthy boundaries. A long time ago, the Lord told me that "your gift will become your downfall" if I don't have balance and set healthy boundaries. Proverbs 11:1 "A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight."
Yeshua himself had boundaries. He did not heal everyone, and His ministry lasted around 3 and a half years on this earth, and He fulfilled his purpose. We can't witness to everyone, feed, shelter, clothe, donate money, and etc. But we can do what HaShem give our hands to do. So, I encouraged you to practiced Proverbs 4:23 "23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life". Don't be led by your heart be led by the Ruach Ha-Kodesh when you to provide works of charity. 2 Corinthians 9:7 "7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for G-d loveth a cheerful giver.
Shabbat Shalom
Your Achoti/Sister
This is right on time. God always sends you a word when you least expected it.