Kristi Muszik Vulnerable
Are you capable of being vulnerable with others around you? Are there only a select few with whom you can share your weaknesses?
The other day, I listened to Terri Savelle Foy share how to connect with people around you, and she said it’s by sharing your story — allowing yourself to be vulnerable.
There is a poll from readers and listeners of what they want. And most of them say they want their writers and speakers to be open, transparent, and vulnerable.
Being raised as a pastor kid, I wasn’t allowed to be vulnerable. There was a level of fear of sharing too much information about our family because specific individuals in the church would take any reports they could get their hands on to twist it and gossip.
For a few years, I was in a relationship with someone who was a very private person. They did everything within their control to make sure no information that transpired between us was known to others. Not even with pastors and leaders in our lives who were there to counsel and guide us.
Because of those experiences, I struggle with being vulnerable before those I don’t know.
There are only a select few people where I allow my transparency and vulnerability to be known.
I read somewhere where it said, but I am not quoting it from word to word because I am going by memory. But it said something along these lines. Not to be concerned about your haters, but focus on those who need to hear from you.
Jesus wasn’t concerned about his haters but only for those who wanted to listen to Him.
Do you think we should be the same way?
Do you struggle with showing your vulnerability before others?
Thinking about becoming more vulnerable through my writing has brought up an issue. I have realized that there is a level of fear. I have no problem allowing exposure of myself before my select few friends where trust is developed. But being vulnerable before my readers is another whole issue. There are those I don’t know personally but do love.
In the past, I have struggled with the fear of man. Also, because I want to be at peace with everyone around me, I would fear not having others like me.
Carrying myself as the same person in private as in public is one of my mottoes, and there has been confirmation given to let me know I am doing well in fulfilling that motto. I don’t talk about certain things in my life.
What do you think about people exposing more of themselves before their audience? Even to those who they don’t know personally?
I enjoy it when those I admire and look to pour into my life through their writings and speeches share their stories. Share the trials and victories they experienced. I soak up every moment of them sharing their stories. I learn from those stories.
Do you learn from other people’s stories? Do you enjoy listening to others share their stories?
Years ago, history and family traditions were passed down through stories told. Stories intrude on people and make information stay within them longer than dry facts.
Stories stir up people’s emotions and imaginations, which teaches them things they need to know more profoundly.
There were a couple of times while I was sharing in a bible study among those whom I trust, I got a little more personal, and there were those who were blessed. Seeing a trace of tears coming down their faces as I shared brought fulfillment, knowing our Heavenly Father was touching their heart.
Yes, there is a level of wisdom where certain things in our past need to stay in our history and under the blood of Jesus. But what experiences do we have in our lives that will bring deliverance to someone else life?
Can you think of any experiences in your life that will bring healing in someone else’s life? Has there been an unction from the Holy Spirit to share?
Apostle Paul talks a little about his vulnerability in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
Should we be willing, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, to share where we have been weak and where Jesus has been influential in that weakness?
Will our vulnerability bring healing into someone else’s life?
Let’s decide by the leading of the Holy Spirit to allow ourselves to be more vulnerable, which will bring healing and encouragement to others in need.
The key word is by the leading of the Holy Spirit. He knows when to and when not to share.
