Boundaries define who you are and who you are not.

Boundaries often provide unhealthy individuals guidelines for change.

So how do we evaluate progress in setting boundaries?

Here are 17 questions you can ask yourself. In some of these areas you may find you are strong, and in some areas you may need to work toward developing and strengthening for protecting your physical, emotional and spiritual health.

1. Am I able to say no to an unhealthy request?
2. Am I able to understand that my happiness does not depend on other people?
3. Do I find myself continually involved with people who end up hurting me?
4. Can I choose individuals whom I can trust?
5. Do I consider my opinion to be as important as others?
6. Do people take or use things of mine without my permission?
7. Can I ask other people for what I want or need, or do I fear making these request?
8. Do I go along with other individuals, rather than voicing my desires?
9. Do I feel proud of being an individual with unique qualities?
10. Do I really believe I was created in God’s image?
11. Have I found the balance between helping others and meeting my own needs?
12. Am I able to determine what I think and what I believe?
13. Am I able to make effective decisions?
14. Am I able to get out of a relationship that continues to hurt me?
15. Am I able to stay out of other people’s problems?
16. Can I separate my own feelings and thoughts from others?
17. Do I grasp that I am not responsible for other people’s behaviors and feelings?

Developing healthy boundaries may be a new venture for you and is likely to be a challenge. The checklist we just covered hopefully will help you become aware of some areas in your life in which you need to establish or strengthen boundaries that are needed in your life.

Don’t become discouraged–you can develop skills that will help you honor and protect what belongs to God. Developing these skills will have a huge impact on your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

So I say to each of you, God bless you as you continue toward improving your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Scripture offers safety –you are safe in the cleft of the rock which is God.

The Psalmist uses the imagery of protection in the word rock, in fact it is referred to 24 times.

”The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliver: My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge—He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2, MSG

References

Cloud, H. &  Townsend, J. (1995). Safe People: How to find relationship that are good for you
    and avoid those that aren’t. Michigan: Zondervan.
Hawkins, D.,(2007). Dealing with the crazy makers in your life; Setting boundaries on unhealthy relationships. Oregon:  Harvest House Publishers.
Holman Christian Standard Bible. Nashville: Holman Bible Publisher, 2004. Print
The Message. Colorado: NavPress, 2006. Print