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3 Boundaries You Can Set Today

by | Betrayal Trauma

Boundaries In The Bible

When victims of betrayal and emotional abuse understand and implement effective boundaries, they begin a path to safety and healing.

Anne Blythe, founder of Betrayal Trauma Recovery, shares boundaries from a Christian perspective on the free BTR podcast. Tune in to the BTR podcast and read the full transcript below for more.

Choosing To Identify The Emotional Abuse

Believe it or not, one of the most important boundaries that a woman can set for herself is determining to identify the abuse, no matter how difficult it is.

A lot of women are worried about [identifying the abuse], because they think, ‘If I start focusing on it or I start to define the abuse then it will exist,’ but it exists anyways. The abuse is there whether you recognize it or not. Identifying it won’t make it worse, it will enable you to get to safety, which is awesome.

Anne Blythe, founder of Betrayal Trauma Recovery

Setting an Education And Empowerment Boundary

Be on your guard. You need to be prepared. You need to be educated about this. God doesn’t want us to stick our heads in the sand.

Anne Blythe, founder of Betrayal Trauma Recovery

When women courageously choose to become educated about abuse and trauma, they may open the floodgates for difficult emotions like grief, anger, and fear. However, setting a boundary to commit to learn about abuse and trauma can help victims lay a strong foundation as they begin their healing journey.

Separating Yourself From Abuse: Safety Boundaries

The primary purpose of a safety boundary is to facilitate a life that is as abuse-free as possible.

Victims can give themselves permission to set boundaries that separate them from abusive behaviors.

2 Corinthians 6:17 says, ‘Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…’ There is a clear call for a boundary to be set with someone who is not exhibiting healthy behaviors, ‘Be ye separate.’

Anne Blythe, founder of Betrayal Trauma Recovery

Separating from an abuser can help a victim see more clearly and determine what next steps to take.

What Do Safety Boundaries Look Like?

Setting safety boundaries can be confusing for many victims of emotional abuse and betrayal. Some helpful ideas include the boundaries:

  • “I do not have sex with an abusive partner.”
  • “I choose to be treated with respect – if I am being abused, I will remove myself from that person and live somewhere else.”
  • “I feel unsafe when my partner yells at me. When I begin to feel unsafe, I will leave the room before he has the chance to yell.”

“If you set a boundary and you feel peace and you can breathe, because you feel safe, then you know that boundary is good.”

-Anne Blythe, founder of Betrayal Trauma Recovery

Betrayal Trauma Recovery Supports Victims of Betrayal & Emotional Abuse

At BTR, we affirm that every woman deserves an abuse-free life.

Victims of abuse and betrayal deserve a safe space to process trauma, share their stories, ask questions, and make connections with other victims who get it.

The Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group meets daily in multiple time zones and offers victims the validation, support, and compassion they deserve as they set and maintain boundaries. Join today.

Full Transcript:

Welcome to Betrayal Trauma Recovery, this is Anne.

What I am going to focus on today is boundaries, so that you can see that there are lots of instances where God has told us to set boundaries. I think that will be helpful to you and maybe give you some confidence and also give you the support that you need to set the boundaries that you need to set for safety.

Before we get to that, many of you have joined the Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group, which is awesome. When you join, the day that you join, that means even if it’s today, you can talk to our coaches and other women who are going through similar situations to gain support and hope and a language to describe what’s happening to you. It’s not a bad thing to start defining the abuse.

God Supports Boundaries

Okay, so I’m only going to do the purple parts. Purple is the pen that I use for boundaries. We have an example of boundaries in Matthew 25, talking about the ten virgins and the wise set a boundary.

In verse 9 it says, “But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” Then, in verse 10, it says, “…and the door was shut.” There we have an example of God supporting a boundary.

“Many Times It Seems Hopeless, But It’s Not”

Here we have another one, in verse 30. He’s talking about the unprofitable servant who was not righteous and wouldn’t do what he was supposed to do. It says, “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

That guy did not like that boundary, and he screamed and yelled and threw a big fit, but God did it anyway. You don’t have the power, obviously, to throw somebody into outer darkness, but you do have the power to create boundaries that will work for you. I want to give you that hope. Many times, it seems so hopeless, but it’s not.

No contact is one of those boundaries that I think is really helpful for victims. In Matthew 26 Jesus shows his version of no contact in verse 63. It says, “But Jesus held his peace…” meaning he doesn’t say anything. He just decides to go no contact in that scenario.

No Contact Boundaries In The Scriptures

Another example of Jesus going no contact or just shutting down communication is in Mark 11:33 he says, “….Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Jesus is saying, “You know what, you’re just going to use my words against me so I’m not going to talk to you about this.”

Some of us are frustrated that we’re in this situation in the first place. “Why do we have to live in a world where this is happening?” But throughout the scriptures, both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, which I also study from, and in general, we know that that’s what this world is all about.

Moving into Luke 10:3, God tells us, “Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.” Meaning be on your guard. You need to be prepared. You need to be educated about this. He doesn’t want us to stick our heads in the sand.

The Parable Of The Unjust Judge

In Luke, there is an awesome parable called The Parable of the Unjust Judge, it is Luke 18. If you haven’t heard my podcast episode about this, please go listen to it. Just search the website for Luke 18 and you will find it. The insight that came to me as I studied it was really good.

I won’t go into that now, but I do want you to listen to that episode because there is a whole episode just about that one parable.

Here’s another example of detaching and not engaging in conversation, in Luke 22:67-68. They ask him, “Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.” He’s saying, “I’m not even talking about this,” and He does not engage in their discussion.

Test Out Boundaries; Try Them On For Size

Now, this one is not regarding boundaries, but I really like it. It’s from John 7:17. It says, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” I think that’s true of boundaries.

When you’re testing something and you want to know if this is true or not, you’re not going to know if it works or if it’s good for you unless you try it. An abuser wants to control everything, and he doesn’t want you to try anything new and he wants to make sure that you don’t do anything that would make him uncomfortable.

When you’re experimenting with boundaries, it’s going to be hard and it might make things a little bit worse for a while because, if he is abusive when you set a boundary, he’s going to become more abusive.

Live Your Boundaries To Understand Why They Are So Essential

At the same time, if you set a boundary and you feel more peace and you can breathe because you feel safe, then you can know that that boundary is good, but you can’t know things if you don’t do them.

Someone who is never honest is never going to know why honesty is important. Someone who does not obey the law of chastity is not going to know why the law of chastity is so awesome. You can’t understand a principle if you don’t live it.

Another verse where Christ disengages, it’s John 8:59, “Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” He doesn’t say, “Don’t throw stones at me,” He’s just out. Then. in John 9:27, He is again disengaging from a conversation, “…I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be my disciples?”

Your Boundaries Can Include Not Arguing With Abusers

Basically, He’s saying, “We’re not going to get in an argument about this because I’ve already told you and you disagreed with me, so we’re done.”

For some reason, I didn’t mark it in my scriptures, but my favorite example of Christ setting a boundary is during the three temptations. The one where Satan tempts Him with throwing himself off a building, and instead of being tempted into an argument, which is what Satan was really tempting him with, he was not tempting Him with throwing himself off a building.

Instead of engaging in the argument, Christ says, “…get thee hence” (Matthew 4:10). He sets a boundary of “I am not going to engage in this conversation with you.” As we know, you cannot argue with Satan. It is a disaster that leads to chaos and pain that never gets resolved.

“Avoid Those People”

Chronologically, in the Bible, after the testaments of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Christ is crucified. Then, we have the apostles, mainly Paul, talking about how to live the Christian life. In the episode before I mentioned that there are a few misogynistic scriptures that Paul wrote that I do not like or find comfort in.

Instead of going into that I would recommend that you read Jesus Feminist. I’m not going to cover those, but I am going to cover the scriptures from Paul that I do find comforting, and I hope that you’ll find them comforting as well.

Where Paul admonishes the righteous to set boundaries for their safety. In Romans 16:17, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Meaning, “Notice who is not obeying the commandments, being honest or being faithful or keeping the law of chastity, and avoid those people.

Boundaries Can Be As Simple As, “Avoid Them”

He does not say, “Understand them and make sure that you don’t shame them. Make sure that you listen to them and that you’re safe enough for them to tell the truth.” That is not what Paul says. He just says, “Avoid them.”

In 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” Verse 16-17 “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk-in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…”

“Be Ye Separate”

There is a clear call for a boundary to be set with someone who is not exhibiting healthy behaviors, “Be ye separate.”

In Ephesians 5:11, Paul says the same thing, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” We know the only way to truly reprove that is to set a boundary because if we start telling them, “Hey, you can’t do this or you can’t do that,” it just gets into an argument and makes things worse, so boundary-setting is the way to do that in an appropriate and effective way.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:6, he says, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly…” Again, a clear call for boundaries, from Paul.

Boundaries Can Help You In ‘Perilous Times’

This one many people are really familiar with, it’s going to list a bunch of the unhealthy behaviors and then it’s going to issue the call for the boundary. It’s 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and it’s talking about the perilous times that will come in the last days.

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

“From Such, Turn Away”

The boundary is in verse 5 and he says very directly, “From such turn away.”

He doesn’t say, “Try to understand why they’re doing it.” He doesn’t say, “Go to couple therapy with them.” He doesn’t say, “Make them dinner and do their laundry.” He says, “From such turn away.”

Then he says in verse 8-9 “…so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men.”

Safety Boundaries Are Not Vengeance

Now, a boundary is different than vengeance. What I’m talking about, and what Paul was talking about, is setting a boundary for safety.

This is Hebrews 10:30, “Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.”

We know that punishment or vengeance belongs to God, but setting a boundary is for safety, and that is different and that’s not what we’re talking about. That’s not what Paul is talking about.

Peter also teaches boundaries, in 2 Peter 2:17-18. He says, “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.” That boundary is “Those that were clean escaped from those who lived in error.”

Look For The Word “Boundaries” As You Study

Here is the Apostle of John. In 2 John 1:10, he says, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”

Another boundary, and I am going to end there. There are so many examples of boundaries in the scriptures. If you are Christian and you study the scriptures, I really encourage you to choose a color for boundaries and start looking for them. Also, the word “deliverance,” it comes up over and over again, and how God enables the righteous to have the power of deliverance.

Part of my spiritual practice is to attend the temple, and at the temple, you can make covenants with God and you can also just pray and ask questions and ponder. It’s really a peaceful place to receive answers.

Seek Empowerment However You Need To, To Find Strength To Set Boundaries

I went with some specific questions in mind, and one of them is, “What would you like to tell me about my ex?” Another question was, “I’m super scared and worried about custody.” Then, as I’ve been reading the scriptures, I’ve noticed that many people are commanded to do things that are outside The Ten Commandments.

They are outside of the regular commandments. Like in the Book of Mormon, Lehi is commanded to leave Jerusalem. Then later, once they get to the promised land, Nephi is commanded to separate from Laman & Lemuel.

I was wondering if God had any commandments specifically for me, so I asked, “Do you have a commandment specifically for me?” I’d like to share some of these answers with you. Maybe it would be helpful. I wrote these questions down on a piece of paper and I left enough space to write the answers.

I went into the Celestial Room, which if you’re a member you know what that is and if you’re not it’s just a really peaceful place, and I took this paper and a pen and then I prayed and wrote these things down.

Setting Boundaries Is Godly

Here are the answers that I received:

“What would you like to tell me about my ex?” God said, “Heed him not. He is deceived. Pay him no mind. He is blind. He is gone.”

“I’m super scared and worried about custody.” The answer I received was, “Fear not, all will be well. You have been and will continue to be protected. Be comforted. Be at peace.”

Then I asked about the commandment: “What thing are you commanding me to do?” This one was really interesting because I’m not good at this. I’m not good at the thing He commanded me. He said, “Be still. Be at peace. I am commanding you to be still and be at peace. You will be delivered in due time. He is to you what the Lamanites are to the Nephites.”

Then, He referred to the story in the Book of Mormon that I am telling you about. When Nephi, the righteous one, separated from his brothers Laman & Lemuel. They were named two different groups. The Nephites were the righteous people and the Lamanites were the wicked people. He referred to this in this next part of what He told me.

“You Will Be Delivered”

He said, “He is to you like the Lamanites are to the Nephites. To stir you up in the ways of remembrance. To make you mighty, even unto the power of deliverance.”

Then I started seeing this word “deliver,” “deliver,” “deliver” everywhere in the scriptures. As I was pondering this, the answer that I received and what I wrote down was, “You will be delivered. Keep the commandments and avoid all contact. You already have the power to hold no contact; continue. You are powerful. Your obedience brings power. The Spirit brings power. You have all the power you need. You don’t have any less power than anyone else.”

Whether you use some type of spiritual practice or refer to scriptures, study scriptures, meditate, or pray, I really believe that the situation that we’re in is so much bigger than ourselves and we really, genuinely need help. This has happened with people throughout time.

You Can Begin Setting Boundaries Today

Throughout time people have been in proximity to other people who are harming them, and God can and does show us a pattern for safety throughout the scriptures and through His personal answers.

I want to encourage you, if you are religious to pray and ask God or Your Heavenly Father or whatever you call him, what you can do today to start making your way to safety. Those of you who aren’t religious, just meditate on that. Ponder it. Consider it. Open your heart to what steps you can take to a truly peaceful and happy life.

There is one other answer that I want to share with you. As I prayed, He also commanded me to teach about abuse and boundaries, drastically reduce my kid’s screen time, do the nighttime reading routine consistently, and maintain the no-contact with my ex, which I’ve already talked about.

I’ve been trying to follow those answers I received and trying to improve my life little by little. It does take time. It does take effort.

BTR Is Here With You Through The Good And Bad

I think the main point of Betrayal Trauma Recovery is that we know it’s really bad. We get it. We have been there. We understand. Just take one step at a time out of the fog and, eventually you’ll turn around and look back and you’ll realize you’re out of the fog and it’s so much better.

It’s not fun to be in this terrible situation and have someone say to you, “It’s going to be okay,” and “Everything’s going to be fine.” We know it’s not okay. We know that things are really bad.

What I would like to offer is hope in the “one step at a time out of the fog” method. I genuinely love you and I’m so thankful and honored that you listen to this podcast. It blows my mind, all the people who reach out and tell me their stories.

I would love to hear your insights and your stories, and things that you have learned along this path that could benefit other women who are in this situation. Please leave a comment below. Also, your ratings and reviews on iTunes and other podcasting apps, help isolated women find us.

Support The BTR Podcast

I also appreciate all of you who share on Facebook or tag us on Instagram to share this message with other women who need to hear it and who need a message of peace or hope and to know that safety is possible and that they deserve it.

In editing, I noticed that I said that you have to try things in order to know that they’re good. I don’t think you have to try drugs to know that they are bad. There are certain things that we generally know are bad, like you don’t have to use pornography to know it’s bad. Just take all of that with a grain of salt.

Sometimes, in editing, I realize there are things I don’t quite say the right way. I appreciate your patience and I appreciate you knowing that every single word I say doesn’t always come out the exact right way. Thanks for your patience.

Until next week, stay safe out there.

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10 Comments

  1. Francesca

    I am extremely grateful for this podcast today! You continue to help me see things – especially that I was living in such a psychological and financial abusive marriage. I have been practicing no contact, but now I must really block him.
    Thank you for providing scriptures today about boundaries so that I can really pray on this, and ask for God’s help.
    Thank you. xo

    Reply
    • Anne Blythe

      I’m so glad you found it helpful! So many women don’t know that boundaries are supported by scripture:)! It’s exciting (but sad that we need them, obviously:).

      Reply
  2. Sadie McKnight

    I loved this podcast! I know Anne said she was afraid quoting scriptures may be boring for us but I felt like I had to say that’s not true at all! In my trauma I have felt also betrayed by God and it has really shaken my faith tremendously. I appreciate Anne sharing how God has been showing up in her life through all of this as it gives me hope and encouragement to keep seeking God. Thanks so much for sharing these scriptures and your journey Anne! It is so helpful! Please keep it coming!!!?

    Reply
    • Anne Blythe

      I’m so glad you found it helpful! I will from time to time:). I appreciate your support.

      Reply
  3. Corie

    Thank you so much for this podcast! I marked every scripture. As I read the circumstances around many of these scriptures I could find a parallel in my relationship. My entire marriage I was made to feel by my husband and his parents that I was far from being a Christ-like person because I was not being “understanding or forgiving”. I was criticized and attacked by all of them when I tried to set boundaries and was told I had no right to do so simply because I was “his wife.” That I was being prideful, which was “far worse than anything my husband could ever do.” This helped me see that I wasn’t doing anything wrong in trying to protect myself and my children but in fact I was actually being like Christ all along. It was so validating!

    Reply
    • Anne Blythe

      I’m so glad you found it helpful. God is a God of boundaries:). He wants us to be safe from harm. And another word for sin is harm:).

      Reply
  4. Bev

    I found that the separation gave me a chance to actually see the abuse. It’s been 3 years of separation and even though we have been married for almost 32 years his porn has caught up with him. He thinks I no longer turn him on because I don’t look like the Instagram women he thinks he’s having virtual affairs with and they tell him he looks very young. We have 4 children who we are putting through college/university so divorce isn’t a financial option at this time. To make sure we have all our money his checks go into my account and I pay everything (he’s been involved in financial scams too). It’s just really hard to appear positive in front of our kids. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Anne Blythe

      I think honesty is always the best policy, but that’s just me. I have a hard time appearing positive when I’m sad, so I just say, I’m really sad. I’m so sorry about what you’re going through. Our coaches have excellent suggestions.

      Reply
  5. M

    A friend shared your podcast about “What does restitution look like”. I loved how you shared that part of the struggle with infidelity was the lack of that person being held accountable for their actions. They seem to get away with that act and these days, people just accept it and move on. For the first time since my divorce I heard something that made me understand why I was struggling to let go of that. No accountability.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Anne Blythe

      I’m so glad it was helpful to you! Godspeed your healing journey:).

      Reply

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