Overreach!

 Overreach! This is the latest video from Dawnian Productions (now on YouTube). This video came from the idea that many people are willing to pay a high price on being promised that they will be 'kept safe'. One sees this dynamic in the family, marriages, friendships, business and government. One seems to hear the expression, 'keeping you safe' everywhere these days. In marriages, a husband (mostly) promises his wife, safety and security in the relationship (this usually starts with 'love bombing'). Then over time, the husband exhibits controlling behaviour over his wife. This can sometimes lead to domestic violence. In business, the employees are promised incentives (their job is safe) if they achieve a certain milestone. This milestone is exceeded and the business downsizes and many people lose their jobs. It happens in friendships as well. Jealousy is often the root cause of this controlling behaviour with the promise of exclusivity, special privileges, a close bond...the incentive for the other person to alter their behaviour. This is also seen with governments. They promise to 'keep us all safe' if we follow a mandated behaviour, process or agenda. As the video says, 'keeping us safe' is often a euphemism for control and this is evident in all of these examples, and is identified as Overreach (hence the video title).

What does one do about this? How does one keep their God-given autonomy, respect one's own (and other people's) boundaries and act with integrity, truth and compassion? The first step is to speak the truth with courage, a spirit of independence and a respectful attitude to appropriate authority. Sometimes an advocate or a close circle of friends can be useful when dealing with controlling and boundary-breaking behaviours. This is when debriefing, advocacy and support is needed.

Finally, trust your life to God. As the Bible says (2 Timothy 1:7), God gave us a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and self control (sound mind / self-discipline).

Be blessed.