Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend wrote the book Boundaries: When To Say Yes and When To Say No To Take Control Of Your Life back in 1992. It has since sold over 200 million copies and after reading it I can see why.
The book is broken down into three parts. Part one is about “What are Boundaries?” Part two is “Boundary Conflicts”. Part three is about “Developing Healthy Boundaries”. Each section of the book breaks down, clearly defines, and gives examples of what boundaries look like and the common results of living a boundaryless life. The chapters help you to clearly identify where you may have healthy and not-so-healthy boundaries. The concept of boundaries is not a new concept, but rather comes directly from the very nature of God himself.
God defines himself as a distinct, separate being, and he is responsible for himself. He defines and takes responsibility for his personality by telling us what he thinks, fells, plans, allows, will not allow, likes and dislikes. He also defines himself as separate from his creation and from us. He differentiates himself from others. he tells us who he is and who he is not. For example, he says that he is love and that he is not darknesss ( 1 John 4:16; 1:6)
This book has helped me realize where I have had a lack of boundaries and how I can go about changing that in my own life. It’s provided a lot of “ah-ha” moments and I won’t lie, it has hurt a little bit to realize where I could have been better at setting boundaries. I’ll definitely be referencing this book a good bit in the days, weeks, and years to come.
Here’s a little clip to help you learn more about Boundaries from one of the authors Dr. Henry Cloud
If you’d like to learn more go ahead and grab a copy of Boundaries here at this link and dive into
this amazing resource.
Blessings,
Paige