Why is vulnerability so scary?

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I want to talk to you about vulnerability. Let’s look at some well known scripture. The King James Version of 2 Corinthians 12 says, “…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…”.

You may have likely heard a dozen different sermons on this scripture. It’s good to know God has grace for us! Right?! But, well… the second part of that is where everyone has a different opinion on things.

What DOES it mean for God’s strength to be made perfect in our weakness?

Let’s look at the same scripture in a bit of context, through the perspective of The Passion Translation (TPT)… 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

⁹ But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. ¹⁰ So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.

So how does this tie back to the topic of vulnerability? It’s that word in there… “weakness”. Ugh. If you are honest with yourself, are you TRULY delighted by weaknesses you see in your life? Ahem. Possibly not. Let’s be real! It can be so uncomfortable to see “growth opportunities” inside ourselves. But why is that?

Have you ever had someone speak into your life and bring up a sensitive topic? You know that feeling where you want to be OVER that private issue you’re “handling” and thought it was a bit more private but your dirty laundry was a bit more obvious than you realized? Ouch. Vulnerability can be scary if you can’t trust the heart motive of the person addressing what needs adjusted in your life.

Now, it must be said… it is downright abuse to use confrontation as a tool to insight change in someones life for the sake of manipulation. Perhaps you’ve experienced people abusing access to your heart which has made vulnerability all the scarier. Healthy confrontation is to come alongside someone in love and support their journey without any personal agenda. I encourage you, add some healing balm to that wound. Get healed up. Set healthy boundaries so only the right people can speak into your life. Moving the conversation along…

I’d wager to say that if vulnerability has been scary with people around us, then… how can it POSSIBLY feel safe to be vulnerable with the big man upstairs?!? I mean, He’s THE guy in charge of all this life we have. What happens if He isn’t okay with what He sees in us?!

If our relationship with God isn’t feeling tight knit and friendship based, then being laid bare where we can tell He is aware we are not “perfect”, can feel scary. Remember what it said? “…for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me...”. Let’s not romanticize this. Deeply feeling the power of God working on our issues isn’t all sunshine and roses. It’s challenging, raw, REAL.

Vulnerability though, is the place where we say yes to God. It’s the place we say yes to freedom from that thing. It’s where we say no to everything having to be perfectly in order. Those curtains you haven’t washed in like, forever? It’s okay. That Bible reading plan you’ve slipped up on? There is grace. When we set aside the scary mistrust of past confrontations gone wrong, there is a place where we say yes to being vulnerable to the only One who has ever loved us without an agenda. God wants to help us live free from that thing which holds us back.

I want to encourage you to cross into the unknown places with God. (It’s one of the safest risks you’ll ever take.) Say yes to being vulnerable with God about that thing in your life which He is waiting for permission to bring His power to. As we say “Yes!” to God… as we choose vulnerability with the best Friend we could ever put our trust in… there He will be, ready to make it so that our “weakness becomes a portal to God’s power“. What a promise which comes from our obedience!

Take action.

Take a moment to tell God what you’d like to trust Him with today.

Let greater vulnerability be your ticket to freedom. Let weakness be something able to be celebrated for the joy and victory that will come through it. Get personal breakthrough so you can be used by God more deeply than you have before.

You can repeat this prayer if you’re not sure what to say…

“God, vulnerability feels scary and I need your help. I am sorry for not making room in ______ area of my life. Please help me feel safer with you than I ever have before. I’m stepping out now in an act of trust and welcome you to access my heart. Come God. Help me grow in this area. Show me what freedom looks like and how to stay vulnerable with you. I give you permission to speak into my life and help me grow. I choose to trust you. You are welcome here.”

Are you saying yes to being more vulnerable with God today? Let me know in the comments!

You are loved,

Rebekah R Jones x