Being vulnerable is difficult for most people. Society rewards moral perfection and self-sufficiency, where every human lives for themselves. This has led many to be conditioned to hide their weaknesses, as they strive to present perfect versions of themselves. Vulnerability, on the other hand, is often seen as self-sabotage, since there’s always a risk of negative consequences from such a decision.
Despite this notion, the truth about Christianity is that God meets us deeply at the point of our honesty, not because of our performance or achievements. Christianity is therefore counter-cultural since God does not see as man sees. Christian vulnerability means being real before God and others. It’s not vain weakness.
Why be Vulnerable?
God desires sincerity from his people. The good thing is that there is nothing we can hide from him. The lack of authenticity and honesty about our failures is a result of the Fall in the Garden of Eden. After sinning, Adam and Eve hid rather than reaching out to God for mercy (Genesis 3:10). Every time we struggle with sin, the shame that comes with it drives us to hide in secrecy. Secrecy is a fertile ground for sin to thrive. God is still reaching out to us in our private place of sin. The question he asked Adam and Eve still echoes today, “Jemimah, where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). For clarity, this question is not about physical location but relational proximity.
Vulnerability is not only about sin. We see the Psalmist expressing a wide range of emotions to God: anger, frustration, grief, despair, fear, and more. David writes prayers that are emotionally transparent. He expresses himself to God in a way that may lead some to perceive a lack of faith, especially in this era, when faith is synonymous with positivism. David never held himself back before God (Psalm 51:1-6).
The Example of Christ
Christianity is a faith focused on a crucified Savior, not Stoic philosophy that shuns men’s emotional vulnerability. When Lazarus died, Jesus never hid his emotions. The Bible declares that he wept (John 11:35). In Gethsemane, Jesus told the disciples that his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death and requested them to stay and keep watch with him (Matthew 26:38). Do you have such people who surround you that you can be vulnerable to? Think about the things we fear being vulnerable about and the curated versions of people in society, then consider Christ’s vulnerability. He was God in every way, yet he chose to come to the place of hunger, rejection, fatigue, and betrayal (Philippians 2:5-11). If, despite being God, Jesus could express sorrow, ask for support, and entrust himself to his Father, who are we to exalt ourselves and spite vulnerability?
Edification of the Body of Christ
Vulnerability has a way of building the Christian community. Many Christian communities struggle with facades. It is possible to have many friends, participate in church programs, and yet remain emotionally distant and disconnected from the same community. This is common because being vulnerable in such circles is risky, especially given the lack of sincere brotherhood. In a genuine community, when Christians share of God’s faithfulness even in their own failures, it becomes a source of hope and comfort to others. When church leaders admit their faults and limitations, they model humility in their congregations. Praying for each other rather than projecting perfection creates a culture of grace.
Unfortunately, we often grow up in communities where God is presented as a harsh judge waiting for us to falter and rush in with a whip to punish us. The church is seen as an instrument for passing judgment on behalf of God; failures are often mishandled, and being shamed before others is used to produce true remorse. However, this model only serves to distance many from the church. Paul calls the church of Galatia to carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). However, we cannot carry burdens we do not know. Hence, vulnerability becomes the bridge through which grace flows.
Breaking the Power of Shame
Shame usually whispers that if we become vulnerable, we shall suffer rejection. Hence, silence becomes the way to go. It’s common to feel as though we are the only ones struggling with sin, while others are perfect. Whenever we hear testimonies or see pictures of how well others are doing, it’s tempting to think they have no challenges. Even in church, we are likely to create false impressions of what is happening in our lives. We share only the good parts, assuming we are raising others’ faith, when in reality we are leaving them even more hopeless. The Bible calls us to confess our sins to one another and to pray for one another that we may be healed (James 5:16). When hidden struggles are brought to the light of Christ, shame loses its grip. This comes when false impressions are replaced with authentic relationships and heartfelt conversations. The church is supposed to be a place of restoration, not pretense.
It’s also helpful to appreciate that spiritual growth and maturity are not the absence of struggle. The work of God in us begins where denial and self-sufficiency end. Paul celebrated his weakness because it was in that state that God’s power and grace in his life were evident (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Being vulnerable is an admission that we cannot save ourselves. It is a cry for help and an acknowledgment of our need for a Savior.
Wisdom in Being Vulnerable
It is worth noting that we are not called to be vulnerable with just anyone. Vulnerability does not equate to oversharing or to a lack of boundaries. We have seen lives ruined, jobs lost, and others jailed due to openness in the wrong spaces. Healthy vulnerability begins with where and with whom you feel safe to share. We can all benefit from a safe and trustworthy friend or family member. The heart of man is truly wicked and deceitful, such that only God can handle it (Jeremiah 17:9). Not all people who profess Christ really walk the talk of the gospel. Many wicked characters have hidden themselves in church, a problem that existed in the early church as well (Acts 20:29-30). We must be intentional in seeking accountability partners with whom we can do life. This could begin by joining small groups where transparency is encouraged, and authenticity is evident. The element of discernment must be upheld to guard against vulnerability and recklessness.
In conclusion, Christianity is ultimately about surrendering to the grace of God. We should not isolate ourselves from the help that only God can offer. Opening our hearts invites God to heal and restore us to where he wants us to be.