10 Ways to Know if Others are Taking Advantage of You
Honestly, this can be a sensitive question… because for many of us, the answer isn’t simple.
Sometimes we’ve been taught to overgive.
Sometimes we’ve been conditioned to keep the peace.
And sometimes we’ve been in relationships where speaking up didn’t feel safe… or didn’t seem to make a difference.
So if you’re feeling drained, overlooked, or taken for granted, please hear this first:
The moment you become aware of what you’ve been tolerating…
you also step into the power to change it.
Not because everything is your fault.
But because your voice, your boundaries, and your well-being matter to God.
And learning how to honor that?
That’s where freedom begins.
Here are 10 signs you may be overextending yourself or losing your voice in relationships:
1. You find yourself saying yes when your heart is saying no
You agree… even when it doesn’t sit right within you.
2. You feel responsible for other people’s emotions or reactions
You carry the weight of keeping everyone else okay.
3. You’ve been taught that saying yes is the “right” or “Christian” thing to do
So you override your own needs in the name of being loving or selfless.
4. You avoid conflict—even when something truly matters to you
Because speaking up feels uncomfortable… or even unsafe.
5. You tend to over-explain yourself, hoping to be understood
You feel like you have to justify your decisions to earn the right to make them.
6. You feel guilty when you set limits
Even healthy boundaries can feel like you’re doing something wrong.
7. You rarely stop to consider what you actually need
Your focus is almost always outward—on others.
8. You’ve normalized being stretched too thin
It feels familiar to be tired, overcommitted, or emotionally drained.
9. You assume others’ needs are more important than your own
Not because they are—but because that’s what you’ve practiced.
10. You feel resentful… but don’t always know why
Resentment is often a signal that something inside you has been overlooked for too long.
Here's what I want you to know:
Not everything you’re experiencing is your responsibility…
but your healing is within your reach.
And learning to honor your limits doesn’t make you selfish—
it makes you honest.
And this part matters deeply…
If you’re in a relationship where your “no” is ignored, you're dismissed, or punished,
this isn’t just about boundaries.
That may point to a deeper pattern of control or emotional harm.
And in those situations, the answer isn’t to try harder…
it’s to get clarity, support, and wisdom for your next step.
You don’t have to keep losing yourself to keep the peace.
There is a better way.
Ready to stop losing yourself in relationships?
If this post hit close to home, you don’t have to keep guessing your way through this.
There is a clear, healthy way to set boundaries—without guilt, over-explaining, or fear of conflict.
That’s exactly what I teach inside Love U Again.
This step-by-step boundaries curriculum will help you:
Stop second-guessing yourself Set clear, confident boundaries Break patterns of over-giving and over-tolerating Find peace without trying to fix him
You can be loving… without losing yourself.
Christy this hit right on today. Feeling guilty because I couldn’t do something I thought I ought to do but knew I didn’t have the time or energy to do that plus what I needed to do for my family and for my body. It was just something that would have been nice to participate in. I chose to stay put and tend to my family life but still felt guilty. No more thanks to your wise words. You are continually a blessing. “mom Judy”
No guilt! Yeah! Glad your “daughter” could give her “mama” wisdom:)
Like most of the what-nots that pile up in my email, I wanted to delete this article, without even reading it. However, after reading the heading of it, I decided to save it for later…some down time. Well when do I ever get that down-time when I am always at someone else’s disposal. This article really hit home. As simple as it sounds, saying no has been the most difficult concept for me to grasp. I often feel that I owe it to that person whatever/whenever they ask me to do; I would make myself available for others at the drop of a hat; I constantly felt the need to be needed by others. But…..as you so eloquently put it…I owe it to myself to say no. Not to be rude but I can’t take on EVERYTHING that EVERYONE asks me to do EVERYTIME!!!!! So now I’m just flowing the issues of my heart as a result of the frustrations from continuously saying yes to peoples’ demands, requests, questions.
The root of this problem is the internal need to be perfect, to have it all together, with all my problems solved, every question answered, and every request granted. This must stop…. and I must relinquish over to the Savior. Because I am going to go crazy and be of no help to not even myself if I continue another season of this behavior. Please pray my strength and guilt-free spirit as I muster up the courage to send this text message to someone that I said yes to but really meant to say no.
Thank you for the encouragement and “light” shed upon the Word of God…For His thoughts are not my thoughts, His ways are not my ways.
Stephanie
All I can say is thank you Jesus! I have been going through alot with my daughter and husband and today it finally hit me that I needed to change as well as our situation here at home. I have been stuffing my emotions for so long that my boundaries are broken down because I see how I have allowed this to continue. For what though? To be made to look like a fool all for the sake of trying to please. This sure is right on time because I needed to hear the truth sprinkled with love. My husband tried to get me to open my eyes but I refused to listen to him so that in itself has caused strife to slither in a wreak havoc in our marriage. Wow this is really a eye opener.
Stuffing emotions is never healthy, but often we’ve done it for so long we don’t even realize it. It’s our normal. I’m glad revelation has come, Charlotte! It’s hard to maintain the resolve to change without new understanding.
Wow Stephanie! Sooo glad this ministered to you! TRUTH sets us free!
And if saying yes when you mean no – only because you know that it didn’t matter what you said, it was gonna happen. Or doing all of this because you know if you don’t, you’ll have a hell of a price to pay… All that is still my fault? I let others take advantage of me?
It’s not your fault, your only human. But you must push yourself to say no!!! If people that take advantage you don’t like it, too bad. The more you say no, the better you feel.
Unfortunately, when we first begin to implement boundaries, they will be resisted. Often fiercely at first. The one who takes advantage is used to getting their way and they will use intimidation and power to prevent the change. The “price to pay” is worth it in the end if we are determined not to back down. Now…this all changes when abuse is involved. If the “price to pay” is abuse, wisdom says to play along until you safely plan your escape. No one deserves abuse. If that is your situation, get counsel to find a place of safety.
You are NOT following Biblical teachings.
“But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet, 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve,” (1 Tim. 2:12-13).
To truth be known,
Yes there are times when a woman is to be quiet as her place is not to teach a man how to be a man or how to study his word or how to praise the Lord with talents, time, and treasure. A Godly man should already have equipped himself with these things but if he is not then yes it’s better for her to be quiet than to correct Him as the Holy Spirit will bring about the conviction and correction to all men in due time. However, nun this blog, Christy is referring to the perpetual surrendering of yourself to someone else’s agenda without considering the bearings it has on you and your relationship with the Lord. To continuously “plant shade trees” for yourself “busies” your time, talents, and treasures , away from the will of God. And creates a barrier that continues to grow the more you place on your agenda with out considering the outcome, results , your time and resources.
Disgusting. Until you stop being mind-slaves to this authoritarian religion, you will not know freedom.
So true we have to stop being slaves to others and their agendas. If we need peace we won’t have it constantly relieving others of their duties.
That scripture is indicated for spiritual matters and. family responsibilities. All women are due respect from all. males, especially if a woman is in a position of. authority. Try to disrespect a female. judge. or. a female police. officer and see how well. you do with that. God did not make women inferior to men or to be their lackies. We. are all equal in the. eyes of God.
Truth Be Unknown
John 20: 16-19
Jesus could have told anyone to tell the desciples he had risen. He chose and came to and told Mary Magdalene who is a woman to tell them.
He chose her to give the greatest news. If Jesus selected a woman instead of the men I dont believe He sees her as less.
God created man and then created a woman with a bigger heart . That does not sound like less to me it sounds like an improvement!
It’s interesting to see how this conversation turned from how to know if others are taking advantage of us to whether or not women can teach:) I’m grateful to see how everyone has responded.
Abuse is never okay! Legalism and twisting the word of God is not okay either. Ask Holy Spirit to help you discern the Word
😉
My reply was to “Truth Be Known”
Thank you for sharing your exodus, in Norman. It really helps to hear solutions to the struggle. Praying since July for health & some kind of job solution. After 30 years as a RN, its a rude jolt, to have to change jobs. Surgery without a cancer dx was such a relief. Gratitude to God & praising His name is how I start every day. But now what? No more 4,000$ a month job. I have become totally dependent on my husband. He never noticed I paid all the bills & house payment every month. But he makes me ask every time, for money to pay the bills now. After 35 years of marriage, the whole balance is out of kilter.
I’m trying a Girl Friday job now, organizing, transport, & helping people in my community. 4 clients so far on a weekly basis, but I struggle with my self worth. My husband verbally abuses me on the weekends, when he drinks. Its been getting worse, so I try to work in the yard & stay out of his way. I pray for both of us daily & try to be a good wife, but he hates me. I tried talking to him , but he thinks I’m just lazy. I am unable to do 12 hour shifts , due to physical problems. Doctors offices & home health hire LPN’s mostly. Maybe I worry too much. I have gained weight & am just down at present. Trying to start my own business is not easy, but I pray daily for the way to become clear. You are an inspiration, thanks for your message & encouragement. In Christ, susan
Oh, Susan, so sorry for what you are going through. No one deserves verbal abuse. Often that is the hardest to identify because we have no bruises to prove we’ve been hurt. I lived with verbal abuse for 10 years, so I’m not saying this as a text book response, but as someone who God redeemed in the midst of difficulty. Sometimes God delivers us out of abuse and sometimes God delivers us in the midst of abuse. Stay close to Him and He will sustain you either way. His grace is sufficient!
This was definitely what I needed to read, I meet a guy on line as a friend it all started nice to be able to talk to him then he started asking for money as a good Christian I wanted to give freely then when I sayed no I can’t do it anymore “he put the guilt trip on, o you gave so much no point in stopping !is my life, so I gave in over and over its hard to say no I wasn’t taking care of me or my family, it wasn’t fare for my family to suffer, I was yelling at my family for what was happening to me I just couldn’t say no. After reading this I know now I just need to stop conversation with him and block him completely from my life he just want stop asking even when I say no in a firm voice.
So glad the article helped!
I have such a difficult time saying no to a few specific people and even when i say yes I know they aren’t even grateful and that hurts my heart I’m still trying to get this ‘no’ word into my vocabulary but I know that through God all things are possible and I pray every day for him who strengthens me!
If certain people are difficult to say no to, try to practice in smaller ways to strengthen your confidence. Ask the Lord to give you daily opportunities to say no, like to telemarketers, perfume kiosks at the mall or favors from friends. If you never say no, your ability to say no to “specific people” will never happen.
I recently have been having the hardest time with my adopted daughter and her biological family. Really I have been going through hell with them for 20 years since she was born and put in my custody. After hurricane Ida I allowed my daughter and her sisters live in my house.. My daughter asked can she move in . I said yes without thinking.. She moved sisters and cousins in. Without communicating with me. Long story short. I put myself in a vulnerable position. Now I want them out so bad I’m tired of calling the police they want to fight me in my house. But I thank God for this because I am now seeing .myself., and I don’t like who I see. I choose to forgive . I read that book Control last night. I bought your book on Amazon Free looks good on me. I’m listening to it. You are a blessing Christy. I’m praying that your helping me clean my heart and renewc my mind. I desire to be free from addiction , free from people and start taking care of me. I want to stop being afraid of failure once and for all.
This is powerful and sadly not taught. We have millions of women who have suffered abuse in the name of being godly, submissive and obedient. It has perpetuated generational curses and created co-dependency as a “norm”. God bless you beyond imagination for declaring the difference between peace-keeping and peace-making.
That turned it around in my mind. I was only able to have good boundaries for students of mine… but not family, co-workers, friends or past marriages. I have been working on myself since 09-2018. Your book has put more pieces together than anything else. I have made strides but still had no inner confidence or compass. Now I see the foundation of scripture supporting boundaries. And the “how” for those of us raised by narcissistic parents. We simply had no template . The Christian background was used to only further enslaved us. Because this teaching was completely absent. Thank you. For the water of life in these truths.
Wow
This article very powerful
I always said yes when i meant no
And because of that i stuck in a toxic relationship that did harm to me broked my heart filled my heart with unforgiviness and bitterness and affected my mood till i suffered from clinical depression.
I’m now by the grace walked from that relationship, because it did hurt my sould and was disrespectful and deceitful and filled with manipulation .
And i decided to go for a healing process by the grace of christ and his healing touch
Please pray for me
Fahed. Gos bless you !!!
Not many make the connection between bitterness and depression, but that awareness will jumpstart your healing and recovery. May God heal every hurt and transform you into a powerhouse of grace.