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    Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life
    Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life
    Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life
    Ebook466 pages7 hours

    Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life

    By Henry Cloud and John Townsend

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    About this ebook

    Join the millions who have learned how to take control of their lives by setting healthy boundaries with their spouses, children, friends, parents, co-workers, and even themselves—in order to live life to the fullest.

    • Do you feel like your life has spiraled out of control?
    • Have you focused so much on being loving and unselfish that you've forgotten your own limits?
    • Do you find yourself taking responsibility for other people's feelings and problems?

     

    In Boundaries, Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend share the lessons they've learned in their years of practicing psychology and studying the patterns and practices that support clear biblical boundaries. You'll learn the ins and outs of setting the boundaries that will transform your daily life.

    This updated and expanded edition of Boundaries, answers the most common questions on the science behind establishing boundaries:

    • Can I set limits and still be a loving person?
    • What are legitimate boundaries?
    • How do I effectively manage my digital life so that it doesn't control me?
    • What if someone is upset or hurt by my boundaries?
    • How do I answer someone who wants my time, love, energy, or money?
    • Why do I feel guilty or afraid when I consider setting boundaries?

     

    Discover the countless ways that Boundaries can change your life for the better today!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherZondervan
    Release dateOct 3, 2017
    ISBN9780310350811
    Author

    Henry Cloud

    Henry Cloud ist ein bekannter Redner und erfahrener Psychologe. Er moderiert eine Radiosendung, die in den USA landesweit ausgestrahlt wird und betreibt eine Praxis in Kalifornien. Seine Erfahrungen aus der Beratung hat er in zahlreiche Bücher eingebracht , u. a. in dem Bestseller "Nein sagen ohne Schuldgefühle".

    Read more from Henry Cloud

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    Reviews for Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition

    4/5

    80 ratings14 reviews

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    • 4/5
      This is a very helpful book. The authors cover a wide variety of different types of boundary issues, so naturally, the reader will find it difficult to relate to some of them. My experience was that I related quite strongly to some and couldn't relate at all to others. Still, it's certainly a very worthwhile book to read if you or someone you know is struggling with a personal boundary issue of some kind - be it spouse, family, friends, work or church. They're all pretty well covered here.
    • 5/5
      Front row placement on my bookshelves, so I can refer to it often. This book is beautifully written, with scriptural and historical data to explain and clarify sociological expectations and create more functional relations.
    • 3/5
      Good, basic thoughts on setting boundaries in your life.
    • 5/5
      Warning: you may end up seeing more of yourself in this book than you thought you would.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 1/5
      A book for Christians. Alienates everyone else. There may be some insights but using the bible as the primary sources makes it a sermon, not a self-help book with wide appeal.

      9 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I'm surprised to be giving this a full five stars, seeing as Dr. Cloud is an evangelical Christian - and writes like one! - and I'm agnostic/atheist. But it earns the full five stars. What he says about boundaries (and the way to sanity) is something pretty much everyone in the modern world needs to hear in some form. If you can deal with a bit of Christianity without it driving you totally nuts (and, really, it's not all that strong, doesn't sound like a Bible study or anything), then I'd highly recommend this book.

      5 people found this helpful

    • 1/5
      I agree with the concepts put forward in this book, though I found it almost impossible to read from a literature point of view. I assume that Cloud and Townsend have tried to write it so that it can be read and understood by anyone, which leaves it extremely bland, repetitive and poorly written. Rather than expand well on the topic or go into greater depth, they have repeated their concepts over and again, applying the same formula to multitudes of case studies. This book could be condensed to about 20 pages, if people can't get the same thought process out of that they aren't going to. It was a good idea, but very poorly executed, they may have done better to employ a ghost writer.

      3 people found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Many good insights. I can understand those who say it was life-changing. It was recommended to me with the caveat that I'd have to not be distracted by the many Christian and biblical references. I find that's good advice. Don't avoid reading it just because you're not from a religious background; that can just be considered window dressing. The book offers a lot of help to those who are burned out or stressed by daily demands or difficult people.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Excellent read. It was recommended to me by someone who encouraged me and prayed with me. It changed the way I dealt with people, and my way of perceiving in general. If there is one book I'd recommend without reserve, it'd be this one.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This is a book that I have to read many times over, the concept of letting go of the bad to let in the good resonated more than anything. Yes the book is repetitive, but the more you read something, the more you will understand and retain. Each person carries their own daily load, but we all share our burdens.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I would give this book 10 stars if I could... life changing.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Found this book very helpful. Easy to read and grasp the principles. Essential advice for survival in marriage and parenting and friendships

      1 person found this helpful

    • 2/5
      There is some very useful stuff in this book, but I do not believe the authors distinguish enough between keeping those boundries up about the bad while loosening up about the good. They SAY that, but in their examples they do not encourage that.To explain, let me use the story at the end of the book, which is a woman's day when she has her boundaries functioning "properly." The discipline she teaches her childing is good, but as for the rest of it, what love does she show? Does she help bear the burdens of those around her, as we are instructed to do in Galatians 6?Obviously not. In fact, she dumps her work onto her assistant so she can skip out early, makes herself a pest to her husband until he conforms to her wishes, and hangs up on a friend who had called her for help.Before boundaries, she was a wreck, it is true. Yet is the solution to being stressed an abandonment of Christian responsibility, or is it to lean on God for more patience?I would rather be tearing my hair out in service than to assert myself in what I would consider an unchristian way. The authors have laid out a method by which you can make everyone around you do your bidding. And yet the first shall be last in the end. Let me be a servant!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      A helpful book in understanding how to define and set healthy boundaries for the Christian life.

    Book preview

    Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition - Henry Cloud

    I’ve been recommending Boundaries to friends, team members and radio listeners for more than twenty years. In fact, hardly a day goes by when I don’t use something that I learned from this book. The principles are timeless, and the updates in this version make Boundaries even more relevant to readers and their relationships.

    DAVE RAMSEY, BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND NATIONALLY SYNDICATED RADIO SHOW HOST

    Now updated and expanded, this classic book is more timely and relevant than ever for today’s always on, always there culture. If technology and social media are intruding on your life and relationships, learn from the boundaries experts how to protect yourself and the people you love. This life-changing book is still the go-to guide for healthy relationships, personal growth, and true freedom in Christ.

    ANDY STANLEY, PASTOR, AUTHOR, COMMUNICATOR, AND FOUNDER OF NORTH POINT MINISTRIES

    Of every book that I’ve read, Boundaries is the one I recommend most often. All of us can overcommit, become doormats, or find ourselves in codependent and dysfunctional relationships. Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend’s one-of-a-kind book helps guide the reader through a change in mindset that eventually leads to a change in actions. If you know you have some unhealthy patterns in friendships, at work, in your schedule, with technology or your family, this book will help you establish the boundaries you need to create the life you are supposed to live.

    CRAIG GROESCHEL, PASTOR OF LIFE. CHURCH AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

    Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend continue to break the boundaries of incredible revelation in their new and revised edition of Boundaries. As the senior pastor of a large church, this message has not only changed my life, but the lives of my staff and congregation. If you want to learn how to have healthier relationships, you need to read this book!

    ROBERT MORRIS, FOUNDING SENIOR PASTOR, GATEWAY CHURCH, DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TEXAS; BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE BLESSED LIFE, THE GOD I NEVER KNEW, TRULY FREE, AND FREQUENCY

    Also by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

    Boundaries

    Boundaries Workbook

    Boundaries audio

    Boundaries video curriculum

    Boundaries in Dating

    Boundaries in Dating Workbook

    Boundaries in Dating audio

    Boundaries in Dating curriculum

    Boundaries in Marriage

    Boundaries in Marriage Workbook

    Boundaries in Marriage audio

    Boundaries in Marriage curriculum

    Boundaries with Kids

    Boundaries with Kids Workbook

    Boundaries with Kids audio

    Boundaries with Kids curriculum

    How to Have That Difficult Conversation

    How People Grow

    How People Grow Workbook

    How People Grow audio

    Making Small Groups Work

    Making Small Groups Work audio

    Our Mothers, Ourselves

    Raising Great Kids

    Raising Great Kids for Parents of Preschoolers curriculum

    Raising Great Kids Workbook for Parents of Preschoolers

    Raising Great Kids Workbook for Parents of School-Age Children

    Raising Great Kids Workbook for Parents of Teenagers

    Raising Great Kids Audio Pages® Safe People

    Safe People Workbook

    12 Christian Beliefs That Can Drive You Crazy

    Resources by Dr. John Townsend

    Hiding from Love

    Boundaries with Teens

    The Entitlement Cure

    Beyond Boundaries

    Resources by Dr. Henry Cloud

    Changes That Heal

    Changes That Heal Workbook

    Changes That Heal audio

    ZONDERVAN

    Boundaries

    Copyright © 1992, 2017 by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

    Requests for information should be addressed to:

    Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

    Zondervan titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email Special Markets@Zondervan.com.

    Epub Edition August 2017 ISBN 9780310350811

    ISBN 978-0-310-35023-1 (hardcover)

    ISBN 978-0-310-35180-1 (softcover)

    ISBN 978-0-310-35109-2 (audio)

    ISBN 978-0-310-35081-1 (ebook)

    All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®

    Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version. Public domain.

    Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org).

    Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

    Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    Any internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

    No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

    Since the case studies in this book are composites from Dr. Henry Cloud’s and Dr. John Townsend’s practices, we have not attempted to identify which author is counseling which client in all cases. All names and circumstances, however, have been fictionalized to protect privacy.

    Published in association with Yates & Yates, www.yates2.com.

    Interior design: Beth Shagene

    Printed in the United States of America

    Information about External Hyperlinks in this ebook

    Please note that footnotes in this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites as part of bibliographic citations. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication.

    To Henry and Louise Cloud

    and

    John and Rebecca Townsend,

    whose training in boundaries

    made a difference in our lives

    Contents

    Cover

    Title Page

    Copyright

    Acknowledgments

    Part One: What Are Boundaries?

      1.  A Day in a Boundaryless Life

      2.  What Does a Boundary Look Like?

      3.  Boundary Problems

      4.  How Boundaries Are Developed

      5.  Ten Laws of Boundaries

      6.  Common Boundary Myths

    Part Two: Boundary Conflicts

      7.  Boundaries and Your Family

      8.  Boundaries and Your Friends

      9.  Boundaries and Your Spouse

    10.  Boundaries and Your Children

    11.  Boundaries and Work

    12.  Boundaries and the Digital Age

    13.  Boundaries and Yourself

    14.  Boundaries and God

    Part Three: Developing Healthy Boundaries

    15.  Resistance to Boundaries

    16.  How to Measure Success with Boundaries

    17.  A Day in a Life with Boundaries

    Notes

    Index

    Acknowledgments

    For the 1992 Edition

    Scott Bolinder and Bruce Ryskamp caught the vision for this book from the very beginning. They arranged for a retreat on Lake Michigan, where we passed this vision on to other Zondervan staff members.

    Sandy Vander Zicht directed the editorial process and, with Lori Walburg, fine-tuned the manuscript into a book that is more graceful, more precise, and easier to read and understand. Dan Runyon cut the book down to a manageable size.

    Dave Anderson translated this book into a video curriculum.

    Sealy Yates encouraged and supported us throughout the whole process, from contract to finished book.

    For the 2017 Edition

    David Morris, publisher at Zondervan, had the vision for an updated version of the book, and championed its development.

    Sandy Vander Zicht again directed the editorial process, and Christine Anderson skillfully helped us improve the content flow.

    Finally, twenty-five years after the book’s original publication, we are grateful to the many, many individuals we met along the way through conferences, radio and television programs, emails and letters, phone calls, and social media, who told us how Boundaries had impacted their lives. Thank you for taking the time to share your stories and for encouraging us in this next edition of the book.

    Part One

    What Are Boundaries?

    Chapter 1

    A Day in a Boundaryless Life

    6:00 a.m.

    The alarm jangled. Bleary-eyed from too little sleep, Sherrie shut off the noisy intruder, turned on the bedside lamp, and sat up in bed. Looking blankly at the wall, she tried to get her bearings.

    Why am I dreading this day? Lord, didn’t you promise me a life of joy?

    Then, as the cobwebs left her mind, Sherrie remembered the reason for her dread: the four-thirty meeting with Todd’s third-grade teacher. The phone call returned to her memory: Sherrie, this is Jean Russell. I wonder if we could meet about Todd’s performance and his . . . behavior.

    Todd couldn’t keep still and listen to his teachers. He didn’t even listen to Sherrie and Walt. Todd was such a strong-willed child, and she didn’t want to quench his spirit. Wasn’t that more important?

    Well, no time to worry about all that, Sherrie said to herself, raising her thirty-five-year-old body off the bed and padding to the shower. I’ve got enough troubles to keep me busy all day.

    Under the shower, Sherrie’s mind moved out of first gear. She began mentally ticking off the day’s schedule. Todd, nine, and Amy, six, would have been a handful even if she wasn’t a working parent.

    Let’s see . . . fix breakfast, pack two lunches, and finish sewing Amy’s costume for the school play. That will be a trick—finishing sewing the costume before the car pool picks her up at 7:45 a.m.

    Sherrie thought regretfully about last night. She’d planned to work on Amy’s costume then, using her talents to make a special day for her little girl. But her mother had dropped over unexpectedly. Good manners dictated that she play hostess, and another evening was shot. The memories of her attempts to salvage the time weren’t pretty.

    Trying to be diplomatic, Sherrie artfully told her mother, You can’t imagine how much I enjoy your surprise visits, Mom! But I was wondering, would you mind if I work on Amy’s costume while we talk? Sherrie cringed inwardly, correctly anticipating her mother’s response.

    Sherrie, you know I’d be the last to intrude on your time with your family. Sherrie’s mother, widowed for twelve years, had elevated her widowhood to the status of martyrdom. I mean, since your father died, it’s been such an empty time. I still miss our family. How could I deprive you of that for yourself?

    I’ll bet I find out how, Sherrie thought to herself.

    That’s why I can understand why you don’t bring Walt and the children to see me much anymore. How could I be entertaining? I’m just a lonely old lady who gave her entire life to her children. Who would want to spend any time with me?

    No, Mom, no, no, no! Sherrie quickly joined the emotional minuet she and her mom had been dancing for decades. That’s not what I meant at all! I mean, it’s so special having you over. Goodness knows, with our schedule, we’d like to visit more, but we just haven’t been able to. That’s why I’m so glad you took the initiative! Lord, don’t strike me dead for this little lie, she prayed silently.

    In fact, I can do the costume any old time, Sherrie said. Forgive me for this lie, too. Now, why don’t I make us some coffee?

    Her mother sighed. All right, if you insist. But I’d just hate to think I’m intruding.

    The visit lasted well into the night. By the time her mother left, Sherrie felt absolutely crazy, but she justified it to herself. At least I’ve helped make her lonely day a little brighter. Then a pesky voice piped up. If you helped so much, why was she still talking about her loneliness when she left? Trying to ignore the thought, Sherrie went to bed.

    6:45 a.m.

    Sherrie returned to the present. No use crying over spilt time, I guess, she mumbled to herself as she struggled to close the zipper of her black linen skirt. Her favorite suit had become, as many others had, too tight. Middle-age spread so soon? she thought. This week, I really have to go on a diet and start exercising.

    The next hour was, as usual, a disaster. The kids whined about getting out of bed, and Walt complained, Why is it so hard to get the kids to the table on time?

    7:45 a.m.

    Miraculously, the kids made it to their rides, Walt left for work, and Sherrie went out and locked the front door after her. Taking a deep breath, she prayed silently, Lord, I’m not looking forward to this day. Give me something to hope for. In her car, she finished applying her makeup at traffic stops. Thank the Lord for long red lights.

    8:45 a.m.

    Rushing into McAllister Enterprises where she worked as a human resources director, Sherrie glanced at her watch. Only a few minutes late. Maybe by now her colleagues understood that being late was a way of life for her and did not expect her to be on time.

    She was wrong. They’d started the weekly executive meeting without her. Sherrie tried to tiptoe in without being noticed, but every eye was on her as she struggled into her seat. Glancing around, she gave a fleeting smile and muttered something about that crazy traffic.

    11:59 a.m.

    The rest of Sherrie’s morning proceeded fairly well. A gifted advocate and problem solver, Sherrie was loved by the staff she served and a valuable asset to McAllister. The only hitch came just before lunch.

    Her desk phone rang. Sherrie Phillips.

    Sherrie, thank goodness you’re there! I don’t know what I’d have done if you’d been at lunch! There was no mistaking this voice. Sherrie had known Lois Thompson since grade school. Lois was thin-skinned, perpetually anxious, and seemingly always in crisis. Sherrie tried to make herself available to Lois, to be there for her. But Lois never reciprocated. When Sherrie occasionally mentioned her own struggles, Lois either changed the subject back to herself or had some reason to leave.

    Sherrie genuinely loved Lois and was concerned about her problems, but she also resented the imbalance in their friendship. As always, Sherrie felt guilty when she thought about her anger at Lois. As a Christian, she knew the value the Bible placed on loving and helping others. There I go again, she would say to herself. Thinking of myself before others. Please, Lord, let me give to Lois freely and not be so self-centered.

    Sherrie asked, What’s the matter, Lois?

    It’s horrible, just horrible, Lois said. Anne was sent home from school today, Tom was denied his promotion, and my car gave out on the freeway!

    This is what my life’s like every day! Sherrie thought to herself, feeling the resentment rising. However, she merely said, Lois, you poor thing! How are you coping with all of this?

    Lois was happy to answer Sherrie’s question in great detail—so much detail that Sherrie missed half her lunch break consoling her friend. Well, she thought, fast food’s better than no food.

    Sitting at the drive-through waiting for her chicken burger, Sherrie thought about Lois. If all my listening, consoling, and advice had made any difference over the years, maybe it would be worth it. But Lois makes the same mistakes now that she made twenty years ago. Why do I do this to myself?

    4:00 p.m.

    Sherrie’s afternoon passed uneventfully. She was on the way out of the office to the teacher’s meeting when her boss, Jeff Moreland, flagged her down.

    Glad I caught up with you, Sherrie, he said. A successful figure at McAllister Enterprises, Jeff made things happen. Trouble was, Jeff often used other people to make things happen. Sherrie could sense the hundredth verse of the same old song tuning up again. Listen, I’m in a time crunch, he said. I just emailed you a draft of my presentation for next week’s board meeting. All it needs is a little rewriting and editing. And I need to distribute it to the executive team for a preliminary review tomorrow. But I’m sure a quick turn will be no problem for you. He smiled ingratiatingly.

    Sherrie panicked. Jeff’s editing needs were legendary. Sherrie anticipated a minimum of five hours’ work. I gave him all the data he needed for his presentation three weeks ago! she thought furiously. Where does this man get off having me save his face for his deadline?

    Quickly she composed herself. Sure, Jeff. It’s no problem at all. Glad I can help. What time do you need it?

    Nine o’clock would be fine. And . . . thanks, Sherrie. I always think of you first when I’m in a jam. You’re so dependable. Jeff strolled away.

    Dependable . . . faithful . . . reliable, Sherrie thought. I’ve always been described this way by people who wanted something from me. Sounds like a description of a good mule. Suddenly the guilt hit again. There I am, getting resentful again. Lord, help me bloom where I’m planted. But secretly she found herself wishing she could be transplanted to another flowerpot.

    4:30 p.m.

    Jean Russell was a competent teacher, one of many in the profession who understood the complex factors beneath a child’s problem behavior. The meeting with Todd’s teacher began as so many before, minus Walt. Todd’s father hadn’t been able to get off work, so the two women talked alone.

    He’s not a bad child, Sherrie, Mrs. Russell reassured her. Todd is a bright, energetic boy. When he minds, he’s one of the most enjoyable kids in the class.

    Sherrie waited for the ax to fall. Just get to the point, Jean. I have a problem child, don’t I? What’s new? I have a problem life to go with it.

    Sensing Sherrie’s discomfort, the teacher pressed ahead. The problem is that Todd doesn’t respond well to limits. For example, during our task period, when children work on individual assignments, Todd has great difficulty. He gets up from his desk, pesters other kids, and won’t stop talking. When I mention to him that his behavior is inappropriate, he becomes enraged and obstinate.

    Sherrie felt defensive about her only son. Maybe Todd has an attention-deficit problem, or he’s hyperactive?

    Mrs. Russell shook her head. When Todd’s second-grade teacher wondered about that last year, psychological testing ruled that out. Todd stays on task very well when he’s interested in the subject. I’m no therapist, but it seems to me that he’s just not used to responding to rules.

    Now Sherrie’s defensiveness turned from Todd to herself. Are you saying this is some sort of home problem?

    Mrs. Russell looked uncomfortable. As I said, I’m not a counselor. I just know that in third grade, most children resist rules. But Todd is off the scale. Any time I tell him to do something he doesn’t want to do, it’s World War III. And since all his intellectual and cognitive testing comes out normal, I was just wondering how things were at home.

    Sherrie no longer tried to hold back the tears. She buried her head in her hands and wept, feeling overwhelmed with everything.

    Eventually, her crying subsided. I’m sorry . . . I guess this just hit on a bad day. Sherrie rummaged in her purse for a tissue. No, no, it’s more than that. Jean, I need to be honest with you. Your problems with him are the same as mine. Walt and I have a real struggle making Todd mind at home. When we’re playing or talking, Todd is the most wonderful son I could imagine. But anytime I have to discipline him, the tantrums are more than I can handle. So I guess I don’t have any solutions for you.

    Jean nodded her head slowly. It really helps me, Sherrie, to know that Todd’s behavior is a problem at home, too. At least now we can put our heads together on a solution.

    5:15 p.m.

    Sherrie felt strangely grateful for the afternoon rush-hour traffic. At least there’s no one tugging on me here, she thought. She used the time to plan around her next crises: kids, dinner, Jeff’s report, . . . and Walt.

    6:30 p.m.

    For the fourth and last time, dinner’s ready! Sherrie hated to scream, but what else worked? The kids and Walt always seemed to shuffle in whenever they felt like it. More often than not, dinner was cold by the time everyone finally showed up.

    Sherrie had no clue what the problem was. She knew it wasn’t the food, because she was a good cook. Besides, once they got to the table, everyone inhaled it in seconds.

    Everyone but Amy. Watching her six-year-old daughter sit silently, picking distractedly at her food, Sherrie again felt uneasy. Amy was such a lovable, sensitive child. Why was she so reserved? Amy had never been outgoing. She preferred to spend her time reading, painting, or just sitting in her bedroom thinking about stuff.

    Honey, what kind of stuff? Sherrie would probe.

    Just stuff, would be the usual reply. Sherrie felt shut out of her daughter’s life. She dreamed of mother-daughter talks, conversations for just us girls, shopping trips. But Amy had a secret place deep inside where no one was ever invited. This unreachable part of her daughter’s heart Sherrie ached to touch.

    7:00 p.m.

    Halfway through dinner, Sherrie’s cell phone rang. I’m just going to let it go to voice mail, she thought. There’s precious little time for us to be together as a family anymore. Then, as if on cue, another familiar thought struck her. It might be someone who needs me.

    As always, Sherrie listened to the second voice in her head and jumped up from the table to answer the phone. Her heart sank when she saw the name on caller ID. Well, I’m already up from the table, she reasoned. I may as well get this over with.

    Hope I’m not disturbing anything, said Phyllis Renfrow, the women’s ministries leader at church.

    Certainly you aren’t disturbing anything, Sherrie lied.

    Sherrie, I’m in deep water, Phyllis said. Margie was going to be our activities coordinator at the retreat, and now she’s canceled. Something about ‘priorities at home.’ Anyway, you can pitch in?

    The retreat. Sherrie had almost forgotten that the annual women’s retreat was this weekend. She had actually been looking forward to leaving the kids and Walt behind and strolling around the beautiful mountainous area for two days, just herself and the Lord. In fact, the possibility of solitude felt better to her than the planned group activities. Taking on Margie’s activities coordinator position would mean giving up her precious alone time. No, it wouldn’t work. Sherrie would just have to say . . .

    Automatically, the second thought pattern intervened. What a privilege to serve God and these women, Sherrie! By giving up a little portion of your life, by letting go of your selfishness, you can make a big difference in some lives. Think it over.

    Sherrie didn’t have to think it over. She’d learned to respond unquestioningly to this familiar voice, just as she responded to her mother’s and Phyllis’s, and maybe God’s, too. Whoever it belonged to, this voice was too strong to be ignored. Habit won out.

    I’ll be happy to help, Sherrie told Phyllis. Just send me whatever Margie’s done, and I’ll get working on it.

    Phyllis sighed, audibly relieved. Sherrie, I know it’s a sacrifice. Myself, I have to do it several times every day. But that’s the abundant Christian life, isn’t it? Being living sacrifices.

    If you say so, thought Sherrie. But she couldn’t help wondering when the abundant part would come in.

    7:45 p.m.

    Dinner finally finished, Sherrie watched Walt position himself in front of the TV for the football game. Todd picked up his Xbox and headphones and disappeared into a video game, while Amy slipped away quietly to her room.

    The dishes stayed on the table. The family hadn’t quite gotten the hang of helping clean up yet. But maybe the kids were still a little young for that. Sherrie cleared the dishes from the table on her own.

    11:30 p.m.

    Years ago, Sherrie could have cleaned up after dinner, gotten the kids to bed on time, and finished editing Jeff’s report with ease. A cup of coffee after dinner and the adrenaline rush that accompanied crises and deadlines galvanized Sherrie into superhuman feats of productivity. She wasn’t called Super Sherrie for nothing!

    But it was becoming noticeably harder these days. Stress didn’t work like it used to. More and more, she was having trouble concentrating, forgetting dates and deadlines, and not even caring a great deal about it all.

    At any rate, by sheer willpower, she had completed most of her tasks. Maybe her edits on Jeff’s report had suffered a little in quality, but she felt too resentful to feel bad. But I did say yes to Jeff, Sherrie thought. It’s not his fault; it’s mine. Why couldn’t I tell him how unfair it was for him to lay this on me?

    No time for that now. She had to get on with her real task for the evening: her talk with Walt.

    Her and Walt’s courtship and early marriage had been pleasant. They were in love and they were good partners. Where she’d been uncertain, Walt had been decisive. Where he’d been pessimistic, she’d been hopeful. When she noticed Walt’s lack of emotional connectedness, she naturally took it upon herself to try and provide the warmth and love the relationship lacked. God has put together a good team, she would tell herself. We both bring different strengths to our marriage. Walt has a lot of wisdom, and I have a lot of love. This would help her get over the lonely times when he couldn’t seem to understand her hurt feelings.

    But over the years, Sherrie noted a shift in the relationship. It started off subtly, then became more pronounced. She could hear it in his sarcastic tone when she had a complaint. She saw it in the lack of respect in his eyes when she tried to tell him about her need for more support from him. She felt it in his increasingly insistent demands for her to do things his way.

    And his temper. Maybe it was job stress, or having kids. Whatever it was, Sherrie never dreamed she’d ever hear the cutting, angry words she heard from the lips of the man she’d married. She didn’t have to cross him much at all to be subjected to the anger—clutter on the counter, a checking overdraft, or forgetting to gas up the car—any of these seemed to be enough.

    It all pointed to one conclusion: the marriage was no longer a team, if it ever had been one. It was a parent-child relationship, with Sherrie on the wrong end.

    At first she thought she was imagining things. There I go again, looking for trouble when I have a great life, she told herself. That would help for a while—until Walt’s next temper attack. Then her hurt and sadness would tell her the truth her mind wasn’t willing to accept.

    Finally realizing that Walt was a controlling person, Sherrie took the blame upon herself. I’d be that way, too, if I had a basket case like me to live with, she’d think. I’m the reason he gets so critical and frustrated.

    These conclusions led Sherrie to a solution she had practiced for years: Loving Walt Out of His Anger. It was strategy that went something like this: First, Sherrie learned to read Walt’s emotions by watching his temper, body language, and tone of voice. She became exquisitely aware of his moods and especially sensitive to things that could set him off: lateness, disagreements, and her own anger. As long as she was quiet and agreeable, things went well. But let her preferences raise their ugly heads and she risked getting her head lopped off.

    Sherrie learned to read Walt well, and quickly. After sensing that she was crossing an emotional line, she would employ Stage Two of Loving Walt: She did an immediate backtrack. Coming around to his viewpoint (but not really), quietly holding her tongue, or even apologizing for being hard to live with all helped.

    Stage Three of Loving Walt was doing special things for him to show that she was sincere. This might mean dressing more attractively or making his favorite meals. Didn’t the Bible talk about being this kind of wife?

    The three steps of Loving Walt worked for a time. But the peace never lasted. The problem with Loving Walt Out of His Anger was that Sherrie was dead tired of trying to soothe Walt out of his tantrums. Thus, he stayed angry longer, and his anger isolated her more from him.

    Her love for her husband was eroding. She had felt that no matter how bad things were, God had joined them and that their love would get them through. But in the past few years, it was more commitment than love. When she was honest, she admitted that many times she could feel nothing at all toward Walt but resentment and fear.

    And that’s what tonight was all about. Things needed to change. Somehow they needed to rekindle the flames of their first love.

    Sherrie walked into the family room. The late-night talk-show host on the television screen had just finished his monologue. Honey, can we talk? she asked tentatively.

    There was no answer. Moving closer, she saw why. Walt had fallen asleep on the couch. Thinking about waking Walt up, she remembered his stinging words the last time she’d been so insensitive. She turned off the television and lights and walked to the empty bedroom.

    11:50 p.m.

    Lying in bed, Sherrie couldn’t tell which was greater, her loneliness or her exhaustion. Deciding it was the first, she picked up her Bible from the bedside table and opened it to the New Testament. Give me something to hope for, Lord. Please, she prayed silently. Her eyes fell to the words of Christ in Matthew 5:3–5: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

    But Lord, I already feel like that! Sherrie protested. I feel poor in spirit. I mourn over my life, my marriage, my children. I try to be gentle, but I just feel run over all the time. Where is your promise? Where is your hope? Where are you?

    Sherrie waited in the darkened room for an answer. None came. The only sound was the quiet pit-pat of tears running off her cheeks and onto the pages of her Bible.

    What’s the Problem?

    Sherrie tries to live her life the right way. She tries to do a good job with her marriage, her children, her job, her relationships, and her Lord. Yet it’s obvious that something isn’t right. Life isn’t working. Sherrie is in deep spiritual and emotional pain.

    We can probably all identify with Sherrie’s dilemma—her isolation, her helplessness, her confusion, her guilt, and above all, her sense that her life is out of control.

    Look closely at Sherrie’s circumstances. Parts of Sherrie’s life may be remarkably similar to your own. Understanding her struggle may shed light on yours. You can immediately see a few answers that don’t work for Sherrie.

    First, trying harder isn’t working. Sherrie expends lots of energy trying to have a successful and meaningful life. She isn’t lazy. Second, being nice out of fear isn’t working. Sherrie’s people-pleasing efforts don’t seem to bring her the intimacy she needs. Third, taking responsibility for others isn’t working. A master of taking care of the feelings and problems of others, Sherrie feels like her life is a miserable failure. Sherrie’s unproductive energy, fearful niceness, and overresponsibility point to the core problem: Sherrie suffers from severe difficulties in taking ownership of her life.

    Back in the garden of Eden, God told Adam and Eve about ownership: ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground’ (Gen. 1:28).

    Made in the image of God, we were created to take responsibility for certain tasks. Part of taking responsibility, or ownership, is knowing what is our job, and what isn’t. Workers who continually take on duties that aren’t theirs will eventually burn out. It takes wisdom to know what we should be doing and what we shouldn’t. We can’t do everything.

    Sherrie has great difficulty in knowing what things are her responsibility and what aren’t. In her desire to do the right thing, or to avoid conflict, she ends up taking on problems that God never intended her to take on: her mother’s chronic loneliness, her boss’s irresponsibility, her friend’s unending crises, her church leader’s guilt-ridden message of self-sacrifice, and her husband’s immaturity.

    And her problems don’t end there. Sherrie’s inability to say no has significantly affected her son’s ability to delay gratification and behave himself in school, and in some way, this inability may be driving her daughter to withdraw.

    Any confusion of responsibility and ownership in our lives is a problem of boundaries. Just as homeowners set physical property lines around their land, we need to set mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual boundaries for our lives to help us distinguish what is our responsibility and what isn’t. As we see in Sherrie’s many struggles, the inability to set appropriate boundaries at appropriate times with the appropriate people can be very destructive.

    And this is one of the most serious problems facing Christians today. Many sincere, dedicated believers struggle with tremendous confusion about when it is biblically appropriate to set limits. When confronted with their lack of boundaries, they raise good questions:

    1.Can I set limits and still be a loving person?

    2.What are legitimate boundaries?

    3.What if someone is upset or hurt by my boundaries?

    4.How do I answer someone who wants my time, love, energy, or money?

    5.Why do I

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