Vulnerability and transparency are two characteristics we all need in our lives.  Vulnerability challenges us to grow.  Growth makes me a better me.  Becoming the best me I can possibly be should always be our goal.  If the end result of vulnerability is me being at my best, then why is it so difficult to be vulnerable?  It's been difficult in my life because people often make you pay for what you're being vulnerable about.  You go to someone in a vulnerable moment, tell them what's going on and they disclose everything you said to someone else.  Or months later it's brought back up to hold it over your head.  Obviously it’s tough to be vulnerable when you’re talking to someone who makes you pay for it, but that doesn't make it any less beneficial for you.  Always seek out people who will allow you to be real with them without making you pay for it.  Make sure you're not talking with people who will give you all the answers you want.  No "yes men".  You want to seek out people who will give you honesty covered in love and grace.  People who truly want to see you become better.  At the end of the day whoever we get vulnerable with, we have to always remember and understand vulnerability is not, AT ALL, about the people we get vulnerable with, but it's solely about us.

     Healing is found in vulnerability.  James 5:16 says, “confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored.”  It's similar to building stronger muscles in your body.  To build stronger muscles you have to lift enough weight or do enough repetitions to damage the muscle you already have.  When that muscle heals itself, it heals bigger and stronger than it was before the damage.  Vulnerability is no different.  It feels damaging and painful in the moment, but you're actually “damaging” yourself, so you can heal stronger than you were before.  When I learned to be vulnerable and honest it allowed me to take steps that brought me closer to becoming the best me possible.  Vulnerability will always push you to become a better version of yourself.  If I’m not honest and real about whatever is going on I cannot begin to gain the healing and strength I need to grow from it.  I have learned that growth is directly connected to my willingness to be honest and real about where I really am.

     Vulnerability is often viewed as weakness.  But I believe admitting when you're wrong, that you struggle, or that you have a hard time sometimes, is not weak, it actually shows a level of strength.  It takes a strong person to open up about things they haven't done and don't do well.  Not to mention that God says in His word that His power is perfected in our weaknesses!  You want to be stronger, be vulnerable about your weakness.  I had a truly vulnerable moment recently with my wife and since I had that conversation, I have gained strength, I have gotten better, but most of all, I have a compelling desire to be better.  My vulnerability, or acknowledging my weakness, has given me a new hunger and passion for becoming better.  I have gained a willingness to be damaged in order to become stronger and I am growing from it.  I encourage you today, seek out someone you can talk straight with.  Someone that will be real and honest with you about your situation and love you through it.  Be as transparent and vulnerable as you possibly can and I promise you'll be better because of it!