Lesson 4: Vulnerability is not a weakness

Today's lesson goes well with yesterday's lesson. Many people have made comments to me lately that imply that their view of vulnerability is that it is a form of weakness, that letting someone else get close enough to see who you really are means that you aren't strong enough to do life on your own. Well, good news people! We were never meant to do any of this stuff alone!

God created us to have relationships. Our first and most important relationship should be the one we have with Him. We are designed to need Him and our life fulfills it's biggest purpose when we fully rely on Him. He also designed us to have relationships with the other people He has chosen to place in our lives, whether they are family, friends that may as well be family, a pastor or mentor, or in necessary situations, a professional counselor.

When we choose to share our lives with other people, it not only makes us stronger, but it empowers and encourages others, too. We become stronger when we rely on other people, not weaker, because two are not as easily overcome, and three are not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). If you tend to be one who is wary about trusting someone close to you because of fear of judgment or that they may not feel the same about you after they know your dirt, I would encourage you to take the step of being vulnerabe with them. You don't have to divulge all your life's secrets, but even taking the time to share a simple feeling with someone else can bring the two of you closer and give you something to identify with between the two of you. You'll be amazed at how God can use your friendship to strengthen both of you and also be a light to others around you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!