By Tatianah Green,
I’ve recently come to the realization that I have an issue with being vulnerable. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you read that? Is it vulnerable in the sense of opening up to those around you, making public speeches, seeing your body in a certain outfit, or disclosing personal and raw feelings to your loved ones including those who we are in relationships with (current and in the future)? It can really mean all of those issues. I can admit then that it’s more than one issue with being vulnerable, it’s several.
What Does It Mean?
Being vulnerable means to be open, exposed, and at risk of more hurt than being guarded. I think there’s a fine line that Christian singles have to walk carefully when it comes to being vulnerable and guarding their hearts. We are told in the word to guard our hearts, not cast our pearls to swine, and basically not affiliate with hints of evil or compromise. We become so guarded that we don’t become vulnerable when we need to. At some point, we slowed down trusting God to show us people and followed our assumptions and prejudgments of others instead. We create a barrier that’s hard for anyone we love/love us to penetrate because of the need to avoid hurt.
It’s natural to not want to be hurt, but it’s guaranteed in this life. Let’s be honest, you and I could be hurt by someone if we are too vulnerable or too guarded. I wonder where the balance is and how can one achieve it so we can draw the right people in our lives and create healthy relationships full of substance, harmony, and honesty.
I thank God for sending me people in my life to challenge me to see myself and issues for what they are, but there’s another issue in vulnerability that was not mentioned. In the perspective of a believer or follower of Jesus, we are made to be in relationship with God. However, at times we (me included) are not even vulnerable with God. Have you ever tried to pray and you ask for forgiveness yet not bring up the sin, afraid of being vulnerable before God? What’s silly about that is ..we try to hide things from God, who knows everything about us anyway!
It’s as if we got in trouble with a parent and didn’t want to admit everything in hopes that the punishment would be less severe. I can admit that I have done that in the past and I’m ridding that bad habit from my life now. Not just because being more vulnerable before God will bring us closer to Him, it will flow better into our other relationships, and love life.
“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 NIV
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