How Good Are You at Being Dependent?

The word co-dependency became popular in the 1980’s and is indicative of someone whose harmful patterns of behavior negatively impact another person. These people may realize how someone causes pain and suffering but fail to identify their own complicity in the conflict.

Dependency, however, plays a vital role for every relationship. It’s indicative of relying on someone to meet specific needs that they alone can meet. This is seen in healthy marital relationships and parent-child relationships. Every friendship will have varying degrees of dependency.

Think of dependency as providing safety and security for family members and also includes trusted friendships. Your supreme dependency should be with the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Listen to Psalm 32:7: “You are my hiding place from every storm of life. You protect me and surround me with deliverance.” This can be your security and confidence as you go forward. 

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If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

~2 Chronicles 7:14 New International Version

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In What Ways Is God Taking Care of You?

Every individual and family will experience a crisis at some level in due time. A crisis may appear totally unexpected, creating surprise, confusion, and sadness. It is possible to diminish the impact of a crisis by realizing there are ways of managing a response when it does come.

God is in the business of helping us when we seek his guidance in every aspect of life. Psalm 32:7 provides these assuring words: “You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” When a crisis occurs, help is available.

Counter weaknesses with your strengths instead of delaying to take action. Permit challenges to be a blessing by realizing change is needed. Take care of your body, for it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. In this season of Thanksgiving, praise God with gratitude for his love, guidance, and provision.                         

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God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you…Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!…Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.

~Psalm 63:1,3,7 New Living Translation

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Hope in Christ – A Hiding Place in Storms

Some people say life is a fight for survival. Ernest Hemingway struggled with depression but lost the fight. His grandfather also lost that battle. Without hope, the future looks dark, but Lamentations 3:24 offers encouragement. "The Lord is all I have so I will put my hope in him. He is good to those who trust him."

Hope nourishes the soul as food energizes and strengthens the body. When God is your source for hope, it is important to wait for him because he always arrives on time and is never late. When hope is your hiding place, the troubles of life cannot defeat you.

When I was a child, my parents would bundle us up and run for the storm cellar when the weather became dangerous. We were hiding from the storm, but that cellar gave hope for protection and safety as the storm raged outside. Hope in Christ Jesus is a secure hiding place from which nothing can separate us. Praise God for that blessing!

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You are my hiding place! You protect me from trouble, and you put songs in my heart because you have saved me.

~Psalm 32:7 Contemporary English Version

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