The Hidden Trap

 

I said yes when my soul screamed no,
Wore a smile while my spirit broke.
They called me selfless, kind, and giving—
But I was slowly stop living.

My phone would buzz, my chest would tighten,
Another need for me to brighten.
"Of course," I'd text, "I'm here to help,"
While quietly betraying myself.

I became the fixer, the eternal giver,
The one who made problems just... disappear.
But in saving everyone else from drowning,
I forgot I was the one going down.

Late at night I'd replay each word,
Every conversation overheard.
"Did I hurt them? Was I too harsh?
Should I have tried to heal their scars?"

I carried burdens that weren't mine,
Crossed every boundary, every line.
Love became control in disguise—
I couldn't see through my own lies.

"This is what good Christians do,"
The whisper said, "Give until you're through."
But Jesus never called me to bleed
To prove I'm worthy of His love indeed.

My worth got tangled in their needs,
My identity was planted in people-pleasing seeds.
I was everyone's helper, supporter, friend—
But who would I be when the help ended?

The guilt was constant, heavy, real,
Every "no" is like stealing their meal.
I'd rather burn out than disappoint,
Instead of breaking, miss the point.

But burnout came with bitter fruit—
Resentment is growing at the root.
I loved them, served them, gave my all,
Yet I felt so angry, small.

Then came the whisper, soft and true:
"Beloved child, I'm calling you.
Not to fix or save or mend—
Just to let me be their Friend.

You are loved for who you are,
Not your works from near or far.
My love is free, My grace is wide—
You don't earn it, just abide.

Set boundaries not from lack of care,
But from love that's truly there.
Say 'no' with kindness, 'yes' with joy,
Let Me heal what sin destroyed.

Serve from overflow, not need,
From My love, let your heart feed.
Release what's not for you to bear—
I'm big enough for every prayer.

Your identity's not in what you do,
But in the truth: I'm crazy about you.
You're My daughter, My delight—
In that truth, step into light."

So now I'm learning, day by day,
To love in a different, healthier way.
To care without the need to fix,
To serve without performing tricks.

The guilt still whispers, tries to bind,
But I'm learning to pay it no mind.
My worth is settled, firm, and sure—
In Christ alone, my love secure.

I'm still the helper, still the friend,
But now I know where boundaries end.
I give from joy, not obligation,
Rest without guilt or hesitation.

The hidden trap has lost its hold,
Love's true story can now be told:
It's not control or endless giving—
It's freedom, grace, and truly living.

To those still caught in love's disguise,
Look up, dear friend, and realize:
You're loved beyond what you can do,
God's heart beats wildly just for you.

The trap is real, but so is grace,
In Jesus, find your resting place.
Let go of what was never yours—
He's opening freedom's doors.

You are loved. You are enough. You are free