Vulnerability is something we avoid because we see it as a sign of weakness, fear and attack.
Yet we are only true to ourselves when we embrace who we are – strengths and weaknesses included. When you admit your failures and flaws, admit that you are afraid or anxious, and admit that you are battling something in your life and feel under attack – you are revealing an inner strength.
You aren’t born with strength. You have to work the right muscles and use energy from your experiences to develop stamina and strength. It’s something you can build up with time and patience.
Inner strength is a lifelong process of building. Each experience in your life acts like a building block in a Lego Castle. You can use your experiences as a springboard for what is to come. You can use your experiences to plant a firm foundation that will help you stand on your values and beliefs when shaken. You can use your experiences for height to elevate your spirit. You can use your experiences as reinforcements, to reflect and draw on when you need a back-up plan. You can use your experiences as tools that will assist others who need protection. And your experiences may also, without your deliberate intention, weigh you down, limit you, and ultimately shape you.
So why should we be vulnerable?
As Mariane Williamson said:
” Until we have seen someone’s darkness, we don’t really know who they are. Until we have forgiven someone’s darkness, we don’t really know what love is.”
It is people who are real and authentic that we trust and respect. People who freely express themselves. … vulnerability and all.
As WifeMomSuperwoman.com identifies:
“True vulnerability is what connects us to others. It says, I can’t control if you love me then leave me, but I can control allowing you to love the real me.”
Vulnerability is the promotion of imperfection. (Exactly what a perfection-driven society needs more of!)
Vulnerability is being Unguarded. Unmeasured. Unlimited. Unperfected.
Brene Brown has given an incredible TED Talk on vulnerability. She states :
Courage came from the Latin word Cor, meaning “heart”. So living wholeheartedly is the original definition of courage. If we are to live wholeheartedly we need to be true to who we are, and not be afraid to expose our vulnerability, imperfection, and weakness. Your identity is strengthened when you are vulnerable and raw. Be YOU and Be TRUE.
We value ourselves too much to want to share our weaknesses with others… however as Criss Jami states:
“To share your weakness is to make yourself vulnerable; to make yourself vulnerable is to show your strength”
Although, it is important to note here that there are levels of weakness and vulnerability. You still need to be wise and cautious with who you show the depths of your vulnerability to. It might not always be a safe place to share, and others may take advantage of your vulnerability. So don’t feel you need to be vulnerable in every area of your life – learn to show aspects of your vulnerability when fitting.
Brene Brown has found that a combination of imperfection, vulnerability and courage can generate an increase in desirable traits such as joy, creativity, and love. She announces:
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.”
So vulnerability may be a key to developing the character traits we all desire.
Will you embrace, not avoid, vulnerability with me?
Faith Foundation
Do you know Christ? If you know Christ then your identity is found in Christ. And if you know Christ and know that your identity is in Him, then in your weakness, His power is made perfect. His strength will shape you. I pray that if you do know Christ that you will be reminded that the raw parts of yourself are worth exposing as the cross stripped bare the sins and shields of the world. I pray that if you do not know Christ that you will consider what it means to find healing and salvation, to be reborn as a coheir with Christ. God is always a safe refuge for our real, true selves to be exposed.
For Verses on Vulnerability, see the Psalms. In the Psalms there are many beautiful passages where true cries of the heart are recorded. Also see John 12. Mary displays vulnerability when she anoints the feet of Jesus with her perfume. When you are truly vulnerable, and lay yourself before God like Mary, a beautiful fragrance will certainly follow you. Others will be drawn to the aroma of your authentic attitude and your admiration for God!
