Wellness Wednesday – “The Power of Vulnerability in Spiritual Growth”
As we continue our journey through the GPS Spiritual Inventory and further explore the second component of spiritual wellness: Personal—your level of self-differentiation. This week, we focus on the third crucial marker of self-differentiation: vulnerability.
For many, vulnerability seems like a risk not worth taking. The world can be harsh, unforgiving, and quick to judge. Why expose ourselves to more potential pain? The answer lies in Christ’s example. Jesus’ ultimate act of vulnerability on the cross did not shield Him from suffering, nor did it spare us from it. Instead, it became the source of healing and reconciliation for the world. Our own vulnerability allows Christ’s life to flow through us, bringing wholeness to those around us.
The more we embrace God’s love and forgiveness, the more we can be open before Him and others. Self-differentiated people who have firmly attached their identity to God are no longer shackled by the fear of judgment from others. If the ultimate Judge has pardoned us, what more is there to fear? Vulnerability, then, is not a sign of weakness but of trust in God’s unwavering love.
Paul exemplifies this in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, where he openly shares his struggle with a “thorn in the flesh.” He pleads with God to remove it, but God responds, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul does not hide his struggle; he embraces it, knowing that through his weakness, Christ’s strength is made visible. Likewise, when we acknowledge our own struggles, we create space for God’s power to work through us.
Yet, many of us spend our lives projecting an image of strength, concealing what we perceive as unlovable. This effort is exhausting. True freedom comes when we accept ourselves as God does—completely and unconditionally. When we stop hiding, we redirect our energy toward meaningful relationships and fulfilling pursuits rather than maintaining a false persona.
Shame is a powerful force that disrupts our spiritual health. As Brene Brown defines it, “Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.” Shame isolates, deceives, and compels us to seek acceptance through conformity rather than authenticity. Adam and Eve’s instinct to hide after their sin was not merely about guilt but about shame—the fear of being fully seen and rejected by God.
The truth is, people may love the image you portray, but if shame defines your life, your truest self will remain love-starved. Healing begins with vulnerability—before God and in safe relationships with others. Shame was created relationally, and it must be healed relationally. When we share our struggles with someone who responds with compassion instead of judgment, shame loses its grip, making room for love and acceptance.
Of course, vulnerability must be exercised with wisdom. A self-differentiated person understands when to be open, when to hold back, and when to remain guarded. Yet, refusing to be vulnerable altogether results in insecurity, manifesting in three ways:
- Pretending – Hiding behind a false persona to gain approval.
- Defending – Becoming defensive to avoid showing weakness.
- Offending – Lashing out to mask inner fears and wounds.
All three stem from the same root problem: fear of rejection. The solution is vulnerability—being open enough to receive the love, forgiveness, and healing we need.
God’s love is not meant to stop with us. As He comforts us, we extend comfort to others: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Vulnerability not only brings personal healing but enables us to be wounded healers, as Henri Nouwen describes: “The main question is not ‘How can we hide our wounds?’ so we don’t have to be embarrassed. The question is, ‘How can we put our woundedness into the service of others?’”
Take the Next Step
Are you ready to deepen your trust in God and invest in your spiritual health? The GPS Spiritual Inventory is a powerful tool to help you reflect on your relationship with God and identify areas for growth. Click the link below to take the assessment and begin your journey toward greater spiritual health. Use the code “tguse” to take the inventory free of charge. Afterward, contact me to schedule a complimentary coaching session to debrief your results.
Take the GPS Spiritual Inventory
Let’s make 2025 a year of spiritual growth and transformation as we learn to trust in God’s unfailing love and draw closer to Him each day.
