Where Spiritual Warfare Meets Spiritual Growth
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Psalms 112:7
Life has a funny way of bringing us to our knees. If you haven’t experienced a season of total vulnerability yet, consider this a gentle warning: none of us are immune. No matter how strong we think we are, we are all susceptible to the unexpected storms of life.
According to Vocabulary.com, vulnerability is “the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of harm, attacks, or even hurt emotionally, physically, or structurally.”
The other day, I found myself wrestling with intense anxiety. When I took a step back to analyze why, the answer was clear: I couldn’t control the situation. That is exactly where anxiety breeds—in the gap where our control ends.
As Christians, we know that the Lord is our keeper. But I’ve learned that if I pause for even a moment, a moment is all it takes to start drifting.
Vulnerability is inevitable, but how we use it determines our spiritual journey. In our walk with God, vulnerability impacts us in two completely different ways.
1. Holy Vulnerability: The Act of Surrender
The first way to experience vulnerability is by opening ourselves up completely to God. This means saying:
“Lord, I want to be vulnerable to Your will. I want to show You my true self, admit my errors, and embrace Your plans for my life—regardless of what the world says. I want to live for You and let You take over every single aspect of my life.”
This kind of vulnerability requires us to lay down our pride. When we expose our weaknesses to Jesus, it doesn’t lead to destruction. Instead, it leads to massive spiritual growth, deeper intimacy with Christ, and a peace that surpasses understanding.
2. Hazardous Vulnerability: The Gap the Enemy Exploits
On the flip side, vulnerability can impact us in a deeply negative way. It can leave us feeling fearful, anxious, consumed, depressed, and hopeless.
This type of vulnerability happens when we leave a gap in our surrender. It creeps in when we:
- Pause our daily prayer life.
- Neglect spending quiet time with Jesus.
- Stop reading the Word.
- Get completely swallowed up by the chaos of daily life.
When we stop fueling our spirits, we step out from under God’s umbrella of protection. One day, we look up, completely lost, and ask ourselves, “Where did I go wrong?”
It is Not Too Late to Suit Up
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11
If you are reading this today and realizing you have drifted, I have good news for you: it is not too late.
The battle you are facing right now is likely because you paused. You stopped praying, or you stopped sitting at the feet of Jesus. But the solution is simple. Stop being vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy. It is time to suit up in the armor of God and become vulnerable to Jesus instead.
Repent, turn back, and claim the peace you need to carry on. Stop worrying about the things you cannot control. In your total surrender, you will finally gain the exact strength you need to persevere.
