It is in the most vulnerable times that we often make deep resolves for ourselves – the resolve to appreciate those around us more; the resolve to talk with God more; the resolve to be a little more gentle with our children, our spouses, or even a stranger; the resolve to not take life for granted; the resolve to spread more love and peace; the resolve to do “better”- whatever “better” looks like; or whatsoever your resolve may be.
Vulnerability involves exposure, and it is in those vulnerable times that “who we are” is exposed and revealed.
Let's be honest. Most people do not like others seeing who they really are.
Vulnerability involves “putting yourself out there” and opening up the deep places of your heart.
Vulnerability involves allowing others into a place that we often tend to reserve for very few, if any.
Vulnerability means having those “hard” conversations. Allowing for opportunities to share and to build those connections and forge those relationships.
Vulnerability means that you may have to say:
I don’t have it all together.
I need help.
I need prayer.
I need love.
Being vulnerable is recognizing where you are. It is understanding that you may need the help of others. It is receiving arms that have been extended in compassion toward you. It is sharing your concerns and fears. It is allowing yourself to receive peace from someone else when you don’t have peace yourself.
Vulnerability also means accepting that you’re worthy of the love and care that others want to offer.
When you find yourself resisting, closely consider why. Are you resisting out of a necessary place of protection, or are you resisting out of pride?
I get it! We fear vulnerability because of criticism, character defamation, slander, rejection, and other attacks that vulnerability can make you susceptible to.
However, if you fear being vulnerable because of pride, pride is your enemy. It is the same enemy that aims to keep you from receiving what you need to receive in any season of your life.
To refuse vulnerability is to shut out the compassion of others toward us and for us to close off our compassion toward others.
Yes, it would be unwise to not guard your heart at all. Above all else, guard your heart; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23) – everything you do flows from your heart, and it determines the course of your life. So, guard it with care.
By the same token, prayerfully consider finding one person that you trust and practice being vulnerable with that person – a leader, a mentor, a prayer partner...BUT not just anyone.
Remember that Jesus Himself was touched with the feeling of our infirmity. "For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin." -Hebrews 4:15
God sees and knows every vulnerability.
You will be exhilarated at the liberty and healing that being vulnerable in a safe place during a critical time can bring.