EP. 203 Breaking Free from Codependency: A Biblical Perspective on Burdens, Boundaries, and Trusting God W/Counseling & Soul Care Director Chris Minott

In this episode of Speak the Truth, Michael interviews Chris Minott, Director of Soul Care and Biblical Counseling at Summit Church in Fort Myers, Florida, about codependency within ongoing discussions of trauma. Minott explains codependency’s cultural origin in the late 1970s around addiction-affected relationships and defines it as overly responsible, controlling, identity-seeking behavior that continues even when the addict recovers. She frames codependency biblically as relational idolatry and fear of man, drawing on Ed Welch’s When People Are Big and God Is Small, and describes manifestations such as people-pleasing, caretaking, rescuing, and helpless-victim patterns. Using Galatians 6:1–5, she distinguishes burden-bearing from carrying one’s own load, offers tools to clarify responsibility versus concern and entrusting concerns to God, emphasizes God’s attributes, and points to Jesus’ example (including Lazarus) for compassionate, truth-filled love.

00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup
00:49 Meet Chris Minott
03:37 What Codependency Means
04:44 Cultural Roots and Heart Issues
09:39 Common Codependency Patterns
14:03 Burden Bearing vs Enabling
16:16 Tools for Healthy Boundaries
23:07 Jesus as the Model
25:07 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

Episode Mentions
Counseling Codependency Handout - Chris Minott