HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 346
page A344
Victory See Enemies; Future; Salvation; Spiritual Warfare
Vision See Leadership; Planning; Priorities; Purpose
Vulnerability See also Communication; Convictions; Doubt; Failure;
Strengths & Weaknesses
What if others knew who we really were? Is there anyone who we can or should reveal
our deepest fears, hurts, or doubts to? The Bible teaches that every human being has a
need for intimate relationships, but it also teaches that we are to choose carefully who
we reveal our hearts to. True vulnerability occurs in only the most intimate relationships
because it requires us to reveal the dark things we had hoped would never come out in
the open. We often resist being vulnerable to God about our sins, especially the ones
we don’t want to give up, but vulnerability requires full disclosure, not hiding or covering
up. Yet it is only through being vulnerable that we find true healing, restoration, renewal,
and forgiveness. When we admit and confess our sin, seek forgiveness, and commit
ourselves to taking the high road, our relationship with God and others is restored and
a great weight is lifted from us. While we cannot become intimately vulnerable with
everyone, we can trust God and should be able to trust a few others to handle our
deepest feelings with care.
V
It’s very difficult for me to share my feelings with others; how can I learn to
become vulnerable in the right way?
HelpFinder
• PSA L M 3 1 :9 -1 0 | Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. . . . Sin has drained my
strength; I am wasting away from within.
You can start by being vulnerable with God when you pray.
• 1 J O H N 1 :9 | But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Be vulnerable to God about your sins and failures, for he is absolutely trustworthy, and he
will offer unconditional forgiveness.
• L U K E 6 :2 7 | “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies!”
As you understand God’s great love for you, despite your mistakes, you will want to pass
on this same love to others. Loving others always makes you vulnerable, but it is the best
way to live.
• J A ME S 5 :1 6 | Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other. (See note on page 1125.)
The church is to be a place where vulnerability is a great builder of fellowship.
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 1 :7 | We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also
share in the comfort God gives us. (See note on Comfort on page 1047.)
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.
• R U T H 3 :7 -1 0 | Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. . . . “The Lord
bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now
than you did before.”
It often requires vulnerability to do the right thing, even when it may seem awkward.
• MAT T H E W 4 :2 -3 | 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 attacks where and when we are
most vulnerable.
Are there ways in which I should be vulnerable?
• G E NE S I S 2 :2 5 | Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.