CO-DEPENDENCY

Co-dependence is an addictive relationship.  People who are co-dependent form relationships that are normally one-sided, emotionally destructive, and often abusive.  A co-dependent person bases their personal value on who they identify themselves to be within the relationship.  They often interact with the other person in a way that is harmful to their own well-being. 

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.  (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

Contentment in life does not come from controlling or trying to please someone, or from hoping they will meet our needs so that we may feel secure.  Another person cannot love us enough or touch us deeply enough to satisfy the longing in our hearts.  Only God can satisfy those longings.  In a relationship one person has only a limited responsibility for the other person’s happiness.  We have our desires and dreams, and we need to allow others to have theirs. We make our mistakes and others make theirs.  We need to forgive ourselves and others for past mistakes and determine to learn from them. 

Fullness of life and real freedom from co-dependency can only be found when we are first rooted in a relationship with our Heavenly Father.  God made us in His image, and we have great value in His sight.  When we base our worth and identity around this truth, rather than on the opinions of others, we begin to experience peace, freedom, and security. 

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.   God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  (Ephesians 1:4-5 NLT)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I ask You to show me how to live in a way that honours You and honours others.  Help me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and to love others as myself.  Fill me with Your love and give me the knowledge and wisdom to follow Your way in all my relationships.  Amen