Today I felt Holy Spirit drawing me to hold up certain areas of my life against the light of truth. There are times when my heart, though filled with love, slips into carrying loads that were never mine to bear. This has often looked like stepping into roles out of fear of letting others down rather than out of obedience to God.

Serving From Pressure

I recognise that sometimes I volunteer at Elijah House schools not because I am specifically called in that moment, but because I see the shortage of hands and feel the quiet pressure of, "If I don’t, who will?" While my love for the ministry is genuine, I see how false responsibility can blur the line between Spirit-led service and people-pleasing exhaustion.

Saying Yes Too Often — Boundaries and Love

In the same setting, I also notice my difficulty in saying no. My compassion makes me want to fill the gaps, but sometimes my "yes" costs me rest, peace, or time that was meant for another assignment from the Lord. This is not the overflow of grace, but the burden of false responsibility.

The Weight of False Guilt

Then there is the ache with Elias. When his attitude shifted so suddenly last September, I found myself questioning: Did I do something wrong? Yet there has been no clear word from him, nor a conviction from Holy Spirit. This is where false guilt creeps in, convincing me to wear chains that Jesus never placed on me.

The truth is, I can only walk in integrity, love, and humility. Beyond that, the other person’s response rests with them and with God. I am not required to take responsibility for someone else’s silence or distance.

My Core Values as Anchors

Looking again at my own values reminds me of what God has placed within me:

• Faith and Spirituality as my highest priority.

• Love expressed through compassion and service.

• Integrity, courage, and creativity as gifts to share.

• Growth, balance, and rest as necessary companions.

• Measuring success not by ambition but by impact and healing.

These anchors steady me when false guilt whispers or when false responsibility pulls too heavily on my heart.

A Gentle Framework for Discernment

To guard my heart, I now carry a simple discernment practice:

1. Pause & Pray — “Holy Spirit, is this mine to carry?”

2. Assignment Check — Has God clearly asked me to do this?

3. Ownership Check — Am I taking responsibility for another’s choices or feelings?

4. Motivation Check — Is my yes from love, or from fear and approval-seeking?

5. Fruit Check — Does this bring peace or drain it?

If the answer is no, then I must release what is not mine to carry, and replace it with His peace.

🙌Prayer of Release

Lord, I release what is not mine to hold. Forgive me for carrying false guilt or stepping into roles You never assigned. Teach me to discern quickly, to say yes with joy, and no with peace. May my service flow from Your leading, not from pressure or fear. Help me trust You with the gaps I cannot fill. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.