How can I learn to become vulnerable with others in a healthy way? - Vulnerability - TouchPoints

Psalm 31:9-16Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. . . . I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within. I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors—even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the other way. I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot. I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life. But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly. Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me.

Psalm 19:12-14How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

We can start by being vulnerable and deliberately transparent with God when we pray. There’s a difference between knowing that God knows us inside-out and speaking with God about our deepest needs and questions.

1 John 1:9If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

We can be safely vulnerable with God about our sins and failures, for he is absolutely trustworthy and he will offer unconditional forgiveness.

Luke 6:27-36“I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. . . .”

As we understand more and more of God’s great love for us, despite our mistakes, we will want to pass on that same love to others. Loving others always makes us vulnerable, but it is the best way for us to live.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

A great privilege of believers is to share the vulnerability of offering comfort and understanding to one another. If you see vulnerability as a negative thing, you will always have trouble sharing with others. If you see it as the way to deeper and healthier relationships, you will learn to develop it.

James 5:16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

The church is to be a place where vulnerability is a great builder of fellowship. Mutual confession of sins is not the source of forgiveness (which comes from God), but it does provide an effective assurance of forgiveness.

Matthew 4:1-11Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came . . .

We must find strength in fellowship with God, for Satan usually attacks when we are most vulnerable.