06.05.01 Introducing Boundaries

Introducing Boundaries

Many relationships struggle or fail because boundaries are either not established or violated. Boundaries are the practical expression of inner discipline and the visible structure that protects a person’s dignity, regulates closeness and preserves relational clarity. They guide how two people relate, interact and allow access to each other’s emotional, mental, spiritual and physical space, ensuring that closeness develops responsibly, with order and accountability.

As discussed in Chapter 4, purity and self-control establish inner discipline. In this chapter, we will now move outward to examine how that discipline is expressed through boundaries. I will share how boundaries worked in our courtship. Using the fictitious story of Daphne and Victor and the biblical account of Joseph and Mary, we will explore how to evaluate a prospective partner’s respect for boundaries and consider guidelines for developing healthy boundaries while you wait.