Character Defect Co-dependency

Sunday January 12, 2025

Contentment in life does not come from trying to control someone so they will meet our needs, or by trying to please someone so they will like us and help us feel secure.

We are living co-dependently when we are looking to others to affirm and maintain our value, however, others have only limited ability or understanding in how to best provide for our needs.  The same limitation applies to us when we are dealing with others and their needs.  God’s plan for us to have secure and satisfying relationships begins with each person identifying with who God says we are – nothing more and nothing less.  

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)

We need to let go of the impossible expectations we put on ourselves and others.  People cannot love us enough or touch us deeply enough to satisfy the deep-rooted longings in our heart.  Only God can satisfy those longings.  

We have our own desires and dreams, and we need to let others have theirs.  We will make our mistakes and others will make theirs.  We need to forgive ourselves for our own mistakes and forgive others for their mistakes that impacted us.  With God’s help, we can determine to learn from them.  

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)

Fullness of life and 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 opinion of others, we will begin to experience security, peace and freedom. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I am forever grateful that I am loved and accepted by You.  Forgive me for being co-dependent with another rather than fully trusting in You.  I ask You to teach me how to live in a way that honours who You are and others for who they are.  Amen

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