Boundaries: When To Say Yes, How to Say NoHaving clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives: Physical boundaries help us determine who may touch us and under what circumstances -- Mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts and opinions -- Emotional boundaries help us to deal with our own emotions and disengage from the harmful, manipulative emotions of others -- Spiritual boundaries help us to distinguish God's will from our own and give us renewed awe for our Creator -- Often, Christians focus so much on being loving and unselfish that they forget their own limits and limitations. When confronted with their lack of boundaries, they ask: - Can I set limits and still be a loving person? - What are legitimate boundaries? - What if someone is upset or hurt by my boundaries? - How do I answer someone who wants my time, love, energy, or money? - Aren't boundaries selfish? - Why do I feel guilty or afraid when I consider setting boundaries? Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend offer biblically-based answers to these and other tough questions, showing us how to set healthy boundaries with our parents, spouses, children, friends, co-workers, and even ourselves. |
Contents
A Day in a Boundaryless Life | |
What Does a Boundary Look Like? | |
Boundary Problems | |
How Boundaries Are Developed | |
Ten Laws of Boundaries | |
Common Boundary Myths | |
BOUNDARY CONFLICTS | |
Boundaries and Your Family | |
Boundaries and Work | |
Boundaries and Your Self | |
Boundaries and | |
DEVELOPING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES | |
Resistance to Boundaries | |
How to Measure Success with Boundaries | |
A Day in a Life with Boundaries | |
Acknowledgments | |
Boundaries and Your Friends | |
Boundaries and Your Spouse | |
Boundaries and Your Children | |
About the Authors | |
Resources by Henry Cloud and John Townsend | |
Common terms and phrases
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