28 Aug W3 | Vulnerability

Posted at 09:21h in October, Topics 2024 by

REFERENCE BIBLE VERSES

2 Corinthians 9: ESV | My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

James 4:6 ESV | But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

OBJECTIVE

To know that it is important to open up and be vulnerable in order for us to heal and grow in a community. 

CONTENT

WHY IS IT HARD TO BE VULNERABLE?

  • Many of us often put up a front – or unconsciously feel that as we follow Jesus, our life and character needs to be perfect. Meanwhile, we know that is not the truth. None of us is perfect and that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Ecc 7:20, Romans 3:23). We all carry our own burdens and wounds.
  • Yet when we are going through afflictions we feel like it is not normal and find it hard to share with others. We may feel too vulnerable being that exposed and open to others' judgments. Thinking of various ways people might misunderstand and judge us. We assume that we look stronger and more spiritual if we don’t let people in.
  • When we isolate ourselves and bottle up our pain we unknowingly intensify our own pain, cutting off an important means of God’s grace and rescue: His people.

THE NEED TO BE VULNERABLE

  • This temptation to isolate, to pull away from community, assuming no one can help, is common in suffering. One of the cruelest things Satan does in our suffering is persuading us that we don’t need to be rescued from sin, but rather to be understood, revered, and left alone. So how do we fight this temptation to pride — to believing that no one understands us and therefore no one can help us?
  • Vulnerability helps us to not be prideful, acknowledging to ourselves and others that we are not perfect and we do need help. Sharing the yoke with God and our brothers and sisters in Christ.
  • Being vulnerable allows us to share our pain with others, even though some may not be able to relate, but to others stories of our pain and struggles may resonate deeply with them. It might be what they are waiting to hear for a long time, but one that everyone is waiting for the next person to start sharing first. Why not be that first person and help be the light that strengthens one another, to crawl out of that darkness together with other followers of Christ.
  • At times there may not be immediate solutions to our problems, but trust that it is very relieving to know that we can open up and share this burden. That our loved ones are willing to walk together with us in this journey, even when they are aware of the ugly things about ourselves. That God graciously entrusts people to be vessels of His love for us.
  • How do we receive the grace of community? We need to let people in. More than that, we need to invite people in, offering grace when they are awkward and unsure, expecting they won’t meet all our needs, and assuming they may misunderstand us. Our brothers and sisters may not have had the same experiences as we have, but we trust that Jesus will minister encouragement to us through them in some unique and meaningful way.

HEALING IN VULNERABILITY

  • My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 9: ESV
  • When we lay out our weaknesses and be vulnerable, we give way for God’s power to be made perfect. As in the midst of weakness, we know that it is not by our own strength but only by God’s grace that we are enabled. To boast of our weaknesses knowing that is where God’s power in our lives is shown the most.
  • We know that God alone provides for our needs and perfectly understands us. He walks with us through the darkest valley (Psalm 23:4), sees all our tossings and tears (Psalm 56:9), and knows everything we think and say (Psalm 139:1–4). We can trust Him as we move toward the community He has called us to.
  • Allowing the Holy Spirit to heal us as we grow and help each other to face our pain heads on and to overcome it together.

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  • When are you most fearful of being vulnerable? What is stopping you from opening up?
  • What qualities of a person make you feel safe to open up to them?

REFERENCES