Read the first 5 chapters, skip to Chapter 9 if you’re in crisis, then go back to the middle chapters for deeper healing.
By prioritizing our own needs, setting clear boundaries, and learning to say goodbye when necessary, we can create space for healthier, more positive relationships to enter our lives. We can also develop a stronger sense of self-worth and self-respect, and feel more free and empowered to make choices that align with our values and desires. Good Boundaries and Goodbyes PDF
She carefully distinguishes between biblical commands (e.g., forgive as you’ve been forgiven) and cultural Christian “rules” (e.g., never set a hard boundary). She explores passages like Proverbs 4:23 (“Above all else, guard your heart”) to argue that boundaries are an act of stewardship, not selfishness. Read the first 5 chapters, skip to Chapter
Good boundaries refer to the physical, emotional, and mental limits that individuals set to protect themselves from harm, stress, and unhealthy relationships. Having good boundaries is crucial for: She carefully distinguishes between biblical commands (e
Unhealthy boundaries can manifest in several ways, including:
In fact, having good boundaries can actually make it easier to say goodbye when necessary. When we have clear boundaries, we are able to see when a relationship or situation is no longer serving us, and we can take steps to end it in a healthy and respectful way.
While her divorce is the anchor, readers in different situations (abusive parents, toxic friends, manipulative adult children) may find fewer direct examples. She occasionally generalizes her experience as universal.