HELEN SANDERS
3-7-2025
CO-DEPENDENCY

There is a lot of talk among people about the negative side of being co-dependent. It is defined as “being characterized by excessive emotional or psychological reliance on a partner, typically one who requires support on account of an illness or addiction.”

This type of “co-dependence” is not healthy, but there is a difference kind of “co-dependency” that is actually good.

In Proverbs 3:5-6, it says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart [your inner being] and lean not unto thine own understanding. In ALL THY WAYS acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

The Amplified version reads this way, “Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”

This scripture lets us know that we are to lean completely and depend upon the Lord for EVERYTHING. This is the way we have victory. Leaning on God and being dependent upon God is NOT a natural co-dependency. It is acknowledging that without God, we just cannot make it on our own.

When we trust God and lean on Him for all our needs, it takes the pressure off people to perform and give us the love that we need and instead puts the pressure upon God for those needs to be met. We become equally yoked with Him. He will never lead us wrong and will never “control” us like co-dependency on others can do. He simply wants to guide us by the Holy Spirit, and that keeps us on the straight and narrow.

So, if you are depending on people for all your needs, then you need to surrender that “co-dependency” to God, and let Him take care of you. He is Jehovah-Jireh, which means our provider.

I am not saying we do not help others, or receive help from others, but we know that everything ultimately is provided for us from God. This is a healthy dependency!