The Nervous System Trap: Codependency vs. High-Functioning Anxiety (and How to Rest in Christ)

Do you feel responsible for everyone else’s emotions—or like everything will fall apart if you stop holding it all together? 👉 You may be struggling with codependency, high-functioning anxiety, or both—but they are not the same, and understanding the difference can change your relationships, your nervous system, and your walk with Christ.

In this video, we break down the key differences between codependency and high-functioning anxiety using psychology, neuroscience, and Biblical truth. While both often develop early in life and keep the nervous system stuck in overdrive, they are driven by different fears, beliefs, and patterns of control.

👉 In this teaching, you’ll learn:
✅ What codependency really is (and what it is not)
✅ What high-functioning anxiety looks like beneath success and productivity
✅ How both patterns keep the body in fight-or-flight
✅ The core beliefs driving each struggle
✅ Why both distort God’s design for rest and relationship
✅ Practical, faith-based steps toward healing and renewal

We cannot put people—or productivity—into a God-shaped hole. Codependency tempts us to find worth through relationships, while high-functioning anxiety tempts us to find worth through performance. Neither brings peace.

👉 Healing begins with surrender, boundaries, Sabbath rest, and the renewing of the mind.
👉 You do not have to earn your value—your identity is already secure in Christ.

📖 “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2

This channel is dedicated to Christians who want to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually—through the lens of clinical science grounded in a Biblical worldview.

I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional clinical counselor, professor of psychology, author, and speaker with nearly 30 years of experience.

On this channel you’ll find practical, down-to-earth videos on:
~Psychology and behavioral neuroscience made simple
~Mental health tips grounded in Scripture
~Faith-based guidance for navigating real-life challenges

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