Ennobling Sovereignty

Every person owns their own life. The Mature King respects that, even when he thinks someone is making the wrong call. He lets people choose for themselves and holds them accountable for what they choose. That's what real respect looks like.

The Tyrant steps on other people's sovereignty every chance he gets. He tells people what to think, how to feel, what to do. Everyone around him is just an arm or a leg of his own body. The Victim has never found his own sovereignty, so he can't see it in anyone else either. The Mature King stands firmly in his own and fights to protect yours.

Supporting sovereignty requires several commitments:

Respecting boundaries: The King honors the limits others set, even when he wishes they would choose differently. He doesn't push past "no."

Allowing choices: The King lets people make their own decisions. He offers counsel when asked but doesn't impose his will.

Accepting differences: The King tolerates that others have different values, priorities, and ways of living. He doesn't need everyone to be like him.

Refusing rescue: The King doesn't save people from the consequences of their choices. He allows them to learn from experience.

Protecting rights: The King defends others' right to self-determination, even when their choices make him uncomfortable.

Modeling sovereignty: The King demonstrates what healthy sovereignty looks like. He claims his own while respecting others'.

None of this means you have to put up with harm or abuse. The King keeps his own boundaries solid. He'll walk away from a relationship that's hurting him. But he does it while still respecting the other person's right to live however they choose—just not at his expense.

The King who honors other people's sovereignty ends up surrounded by free people who stay because they want to, not because they have to.