Review: Good Boundaries and Goodbyes
Reviewed by Jennifer Gingras
Summary
In Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, Lysa TerKeurst tackles one of the most difficult and necessary aspects of healthy relationships: knowing when to set limits and when to walk away. Blending biblical wisdom, personal vulnerability, and practical tools, TerKeurst helps readers see boundaries not as walls to shut people out, but as gates that protect what matters most.
The book is part memoir, part guidebook. TerKeurst shares her own experiences of heartbreak, betrayal, and difficult endings, which makes the advice feel authentic and hard-earned. She addresses the guilt and fear many people feel when enforcing boundaries, especially in faith-based communities where “loving well” is sometimes misinterpreted as “never saying no.”
What stands out most is her compassionate yet firm approach. She reassures readers that setting healthy boundaries is not unloving; it’s often the most loving thing you can do for yourself and others. With practical steps, biblical references, and relatable stories, the author equips readers to identify unhealthy dynamics, protect their emotional and spiritual health, and say goodbye when necessary.
My Verdict
Honest, hope-filled, and deeply practical, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes is a guide for anyone who needs permission—and courage—to protect their heart while still loving others well.
Quotes
“Good boundaries help you preserve the love within you so you can keep pouring it out, not drain you to the point where you have nothing left.”
“A boundary is not an attempt to control someone else. It’s an attempt to keep yourself safe and healthy.”
“Sometimes the most God-honoring thing you can do is walk away.”
“Healthy boundaries are not built from bitterness, but from a deep desire to keep love pure.”
“You can love people and still choose to limit your access to their dysfunction.”
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