Owning your stuff is healthy. So, just what does that mean? It means you take responsibility for YOU. Each of us needs to own the following:

Feelings. Your feelings are yours. Even though other people do things that you have feelings about, you still have to take responsibility for your emotion and how you manage it.

Behavior. Your actions are 100 percent yours to own. You are responsible for how you respond to people, no matter what they do to you. You cannot blame your reactions on them.

Values. Your values affect how you live and the choices you make. You do not have to compromise your values for anyone. If you do, it is yours to own.

Beliefs. Your beliefs underlie your worldview and determine how you feel, act, and think about many things. Other people and institutions influence your beliefs, but they are ultimately yours to own.

Thoughts. Your thoughts determine how you feel about many things. You need to own your thoughts and take them captive because they affect how you feel and act.

Talents. God has given each of us talents (gifts, time, money, opportunities, relationships) and will hold us accountable for how we use them. Your talents are yours to use in a way you will feel good about.

It is very important to understand that just as we are in charge of these for ourselves, others are accountable for these things in themselves. Own your own stuff and let others own their stuff too.

By Karla Downing
 

Relationship Devotional Prayer

 
God,
 
Help me to own my “stuff” and let others own their “stuff” too.
 

Relationship Devotional Challenge

• Live in a way that shows you own your stuff.
• Live in a way that lets others own their stuff too.

Scripture Meditation

 
Galatians 6:4-5

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load” (NIV).