Vulnerability Is Beneficial

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

‘But He said to me, “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 might rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’

I don’t know about you, but I seem to spend a lot of my time, saying ‘if only I had thicker skin, this would hurt less.’ For a while, I managed to convince myself that I should change my personality to protect my feelings and even questioned whether I invest too much in people, which makes me vulnerable. Countless hours have been spent (wasted) trying to develop self-protection techniques; but then I did what I should have done at the start and took it to God. I felt God reassure me that what I saw as my vulnerability is actually my strength. It is by being open with others that I can connect at a deeper level.

Viola Davis* says, ‘They tell you to develop a thick skin, so things don’t get to you. What they don’t tell you is that your thick skin will keep everything from getting out, too: Love Intimacy Vulnerability. I don’t want that. Thick skin doesn’t work anymore. I want to be transparent and translucent.’

This Bible passage directs us to be vulnerable and open. To not put up giant protective walls which instead of keeping us safe, keep others out. Of course, this is not God calling us to be walked over or taken advantage of, but he is asking us to risk being hurt by loving wholeheartedly and trusting in his perfect love to guide and protect us.

Prayer – Lord, help us be vulnerable and guided by you in who we should build relationships with. Where people in the past have hurt us, help restore all that is broken, and help us forgive those who have inflicted damage so that we can move forward in wholeness.

* https://renebrown.com/blog/2018/05/09/courage-power-pain-interview-viola-davis/#close-popup