VULNERABILTY: SHARING MY LIFE
Develop Healthy Relationships – THE GOD WAY
“Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it.”
Romans 12:9a (MSG)
Being vulnerable means “being seen” for who and what you are, “being open” about your pain and brokenness – Sharing my life.
BENEFIT OF VULNERABILITY: SHARING MY LIFE
Vulnerability exposes REALITY — Creates relationships
Brings GROWTH — Deepens LOVE
Encourages TRUST — Makes us more ATTRACTIVE
Builds confidence — Teaches us comfort with uncertainty
Heals WOUNDS — It helps OTHERS
“… The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share [that] same comfort with others in trouble.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (CEV)
HOW TO BE VULNERABLE: SHARING MY LIFE
1. CHOOSE TO BE HONEST ABOUT YOURSELF
Paul: “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature, I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway … Oh, what a miserable person I am!” Romans 7:18-19; 24 (NLT)
TO HELP OTHERS I MUST BE HONEST ABOUT…
• MY FEELNGS
“… We have spoken frankly to you; we have opened our hearts wide.” 2 Corinthians 6:11 (GNT)
• MY FAULTS
“Each of us must bear [the] faults and burdens of his own. For none of us is perfect!” Galatians 6:5 (TLB)
• MY FAILURES
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)
• MY FRUSTRATIONS
“… I have the desire to do what is [right], but I cannot carry it out… I keep on doing [the evil I don’t want to do].” Romans 7:18b-19 (NIV)
• MY FEARS
“I do admit that I have fears that when I come you’ll disappoint me and I’ll disappoint you, and in frustration with each other everything will fall to pieces…” Corinthians 12:20 (MSG)
2. CHOOSE WHO YOU WANT TO SHARE YOUR LIFE WITH
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
“Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16
3. CHOOSE TO COMMIT YOURSELF TO OTHERS
“Two are better than one, [talking about people] because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
“A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends even though he forsakes the fear of the almighty.” Job 6:14
4. CHOOSE TO FORGIVE!
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)