Struggling to Trust Again After Betrayal? 3 Biblical Steps
If betrayal has left you reeling, you’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. Whether you discovered an affair, uncovered years of dishonesty, or just can’t seem to find safety in your marriage anymore, it’s normal to feel like your world has shattered.
This is not just emotional pain. This is trauma. And God does not ask you to walk through it alone—or rush your healing.
This is a space for honest, biblically grounded restoration, not band-aid answers. Below are three trauma-informed, spiritually rooted steps to begin reclaiming your safety, your identity, and your ability to trust again after betrayal.
A Deeper Conversation: Watch the Companion Video
Before we dive in, here’s a video where I shared this message from the heart. If you need a steady voice to sit with you as you process the shock, grief, and confusion—this is for you.
This video was created with real women in mind—those walking through the ache of broken trust and looking for more than surface answers. Watch when you’re ready. 🎥
Stabilization Must Come Before Reconciliation
You are not called to reconcile before you are safe. If your spouse, your counselor, or even your church is pressuring you to forgive and move forward before you’ve had time to stabilize—hear this: God does not demand that.
When betrayal hits, your nervous system is overwhelmed. You may feel numb, hyper-alert, or emotionally exhausted. That is not weakness. That is your body reacting to trauma.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. “ Isaiah 41:10
God isn’t rushing you to fix anything. His nearness is the beginning of healing.
What Stabilization Looks Like:
* Sitting in a quiet place and simply breathing
* Letting yourself not know what to do—and being okay with that
* Reading Scripture like Psalm 42 or Isaiah 43 without forcing meaning
* Creating space where your body can feel safe, even for a moment
* Seeing a trauma-informed Christian therapist who understands betrayal
This is the first work of healing: helping your body and spirit find some sense of grounding again. Stabilization is not passive. It is sacred and proactive.
Let God Rebuild What Was Shattered in You
After betrayal, most Christian women ask: “Should I trust him again?”
But before you answer that, ask: “Can I trust what’s rising in me? Can I trust what the Spirit of God is whispering in the wreckage?”
Betrayal Upsets Your Ability to Trust Your God-given Instincts
You may find yourself questioning everything:
* How did I not see this?
* Was I being naive?
* Can I trust my gut ever again?
These are not signs of failure. They’re the aftershocks of being blindsided. But they are also places where God gently begins His rebuilding work.
“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” – Romans 8:16
He is not condemning you for missing the signs. He is confirming that you still belong to Him—and your voice still matters.
Begin by Asking:
* What lie did betrayal make me believe?
* What have I internalized that isn’t from God?
* What turth does God say about me, apart from this relationship?
This isn’t just about your marriage. This is about your soul being restored after someone else’s sin cracked it open.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10
Healing is not just about marriage repair. It’s about reclaiming your God-given identity.
Trust Is Rebuilt with Consistency, Not Promises to Change or Apologies
Let go of the idea that trust will return in a dramatic, one-time decision.
Trust is re-experienced in your body. Not just in your beliefs. Not just in your spouse’s promises to change or apologies, but in real-time, consistent safety.
If your nervous system is telling you, “This still doesn’t feel safe,”—listen. That’s not unforgiveness. That’s wisdom and a boundary needs to happen. (More on that coming later!)
You’re Allowed to Start with Safe Trust
* Trusting that you can say no and not be punished
* Trusting that God is near while you process anger, grief, or numbness
* Trusting yourself to ask questions, need space, or speak honestly
* Trusting your spouse with small consistent actions before big promises
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” – Isaiah 43:19
You may not feel ready to trust again fully—and that’s not a problem. Trust grows slowly, like roots under the surface.
Each small act of clarity, consistent trustworthy behavior from the betrayer, boundaries or self-respect is a seed planted for trust and emotional safety.
Let trust come back on its own timeline. Don’t force it just because your spouse is pressuring you to “get over it already.”
Stuck in a Thought Spiral? Here's a Next Step
If betrayal has hijacked your mind, you’re not imagining it. Obsessive thoughts, spiraling doubts, and replaying the past are all trauma responses.
I created a gentle, gospel-centered 3-day guide to help you get started on breaking free from the spirals:
Download HERE: Breaking Free From Obsessive Thoughts After Betrayal
3 days of simple, biblical tools to take back your mind—one breath, one prayer, one moment at a time.
Inside, you’ll find:
* Scripture-based grounding practices
* Guided prayers for high-anxiety moments
* A printable reflection page to start your healing work
You are wounded. And God does not shame the wounded—He binds them up and heals them. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
Final Words for the Woman Still Sitting in the Rubble
You may not feel brave right now. You may feel confused, heart-numb, exhausted, and spiritually disoriented.
And God is still with you. He is not waiting for you to be strong.
He is not disappointed by your doubt. He is the God who kneels beside His daughters in the ash and weeps with you. So let yourself breathe. Let yourself grieve.
Let yourself be guided—slowly, gently—back to trust. Not just in your spouse. But in your own soul. In your Savior. In a future that hasn’t been stolen by betrayal.
You don’t have to fix it all today. You just have to stay close to the One who is already holding you together because through Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17). If He can hold the whole Universe together in His hands, He can surely heal you from betrayal.
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(Disclaimer: I am licensed to provide therapy and counseling services in the States of Alabama and Tennessee. This blog post does not replace professional help from a mental health provider and is meant for informational and educational purposes only. The information on this blog does not create a therapist-client relationship and I will not be held liable for any damages or losses caused by using the tips and actions shared on this blog. If your situation calls for medical attention or therapeutic intervention, seek the advice of a Licensed Physician or licensed mental health providers in good standing in your local area. Call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room if you are in a life threatening or emergent situation. Also, this information is not for those in abusive situations or dealing with someone engaged in criminal acts. If that has happened in your situation, call the authorities and create a safety and exit plan. You don’t have to stay in an unsafe or dangerous situation)
