The Naked Heart of Vulnerability

There are places in our heart that are only revealed when something is striped from us.

A relationship, a title, a physical ability, our beauty, our mind…

We have a choice in how we respond. We can respond with pride – with the cover-up of perfectionism or by giving into depression.

Or we can respond with a naked heart of vulnerability.

Vulnerability takes courage. When we choose vulnerability we determine to live a life in truth instead of pride.

Researcher, Brene’ Brown says, “We are the most in-debt, obese, addicted, and medicated adult cohort in U.S. history…We numb vulnerability.”

I agree with Brene’. However, many people don’t see themselves in any of these three categories. What we need to recognize is that retail therapy, obsession with weight and exercise, comparing ourselves to others, our need for control, perfectionism, and busyness can all fall under the category of “numbing vulnerability”.

If you are attempting to cover up your imperfections, you are not being vulnerable.

Why do we need vulnerability in our lives?

1) It sets our minds on the proper order of humanity. The first commandment is clear – “You should have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). This is not a commandment to confine us but a commandment to set us free. When we realize we are not God, we are free from the responsibility of being God.

2) We learn to see ourselves through God’s eyes instead of our own. God sees us completely different than we see ourselves. He sees us as the people He created us to be – full of potential, love, peace, joy, and confident to succeed in His Power. It is only when we begin to view ourselves through His eyes that we will begin to act accordingly.

3) It opens us up for trusting and intimate relationships.

“…there can be no intimacy—emotional intimacy, spiritual intimacy, physical intimacy—without vulnerability. One of the reasons there is such an intimacy deficit today is because we don’t know how to be vulnerable. It’s about being honest with how we feel, about our fears, about what we need, and, asking for what we need. Vulnerability is a glue that holds intimate relationships together” (Brown, 2014).

Darn to live:

What areas of your life fall under the category of “numbing vulnerabilities”?

What is one step towards vulnerability that you can make today?