52-Week Devotional for Girls: Prayers for Growth and Inspiration

I’m stressing out—I need some space!

Do you ever feel really drained or just frazzled? Maybe you have a tough math test this week, your siblings are totally annoying while you’re trying to study, and you had a tiff with your bestie. Then to top off all the drama, you still have to do your daily house chores and other homework. It can be a bit overwhelming, right?

This is where boundaries come to the rescue! You might think boundaries are about blocking negative people out of your life or maybe even not befriending someone who doesn’t like the same things as you do. Those are boundaries, sure, but it’s even bigger than that!

The point of setting healthy boundaries is to make sure you have a safe place to look inward and reflect. It’s like putting a protective bubble around your spirit so you can protect your peace and energy. Boundaries allow you to accept that you are only so strong and need time to rest. It’s okay to draw an invisible line around your personal space when you need a rest from a fast-paced world.

The best place you can learn about setting boundaries is by looking at how Jesus lived. He constantly took time alone to pray and be in solitude with God (see Matthew 14:23 and Mark 1:35). By having these boundaries for himself He could recharge and focus on the most important thing—spending time with God.

When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Matthew 6:6 NKJV

Reflect

Figure out a space in or around your home where you can be alone. When life overwhelms, you have your own secret space for praying—maybe under a staircase, a spot near the backyard garden, or even a corner of your bedroom or closet.

Respond

Sit in your private space and ponder: How can I set some positive boundaries in my world? Maybe you can ditch some extracurricular activities or set your bedtime a bit earlier to read or pray before you doze off. Jot down your ideas here:

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God, boundaries are hard! I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by telling them no. Can you help me understand how to set good boundaries?

Ugh! I’m not being treated with kindness.

Bullying can be about name-calling in a school hallway or even getting punched on the playground. These obviously are not ideal scenarios, but in today’s world, bullying also has another arena—the Internet. It has no preference and, unfortunately, anyone can experience it.

When I was in high school, I was bullied by a group of three girls. I remember feeling angry, insecure, and sad to the point that I didn’t even want to go to school just so I could avoid them. I didn’t know what to do at first because I felt embarrassed, but with the support of my parents, I found the courage to speak with my principal and teachers about what was going on. If you feel similarly to how I did, be encouraged to stand tall and confident. Lean on a trusted adult to help you navigate your situation and, most importantly, don’t forget that you are loved.

The reality about bullies is that they are actually the ones who are most insecure about themselves. Ironic, right? Bullies are typically the people who are the loudest and most obnoxious on the outside . . . and are the ones who are truly suffering the most on the inside. Even though they might appear to be confident in who they are, it could actually be the complete opposite—they don’t believe in themselves! Oftentimes, bullies will try to push other people down in hopes that it will make them feel better about themselves. Doesn’t make sense at all, does it?

So what should you do if you or someone you know is getting bullied? First, you should remember that even though bullies are downright mean, they are still human just like you. All they want are reactions out of their victims because they want attention. While your knee-jerk reaction might be to treat them unkindly right back, try embracing a new perspective—one of love! Stand firm in who you are: someone who is strong, empathetic, joyful, and loving. When it comes down to it, sometimes bullies just need a true friend, and that could be you.

If you have a sneaking feeling that you yourself might not be treating people with kindness, I want you to take a moment to pause, think, and ask yourself a few questions:

Why am I being mean to other girls?

How am I benefiting from hurting other people who are just like me?

Am I running from something deeper?

Oftentimes, we might not realize that our behaviors are really just reflections of what we might be dealing with inside. Instead of projecting those emotions onto others, try to spend some time processing what it is you’re really struggling with on the inside. It’s only then that you will be able to find peace and shift your actions to make better choices.

Whether you’re struggling with the urge to treat people unkindly, or you’re seeing unkindness around you, trust in God to guide you to choose love.

Forget about the wrong things people do to you. You must not try to get even. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:18 ICB

Reflect

If you’re feeling bullied by someone, repeat the following statement to yourself. Um, wait . . . back that up! Say this even if you don’t know a bully: "I stand in the truth that I’m loved by God. Nothing anyone thinks about me can change