Strength and Vulnerability

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Towards the end of 2024, I knew that these two words would be my focus Words for 2025. I don’t remember having two words before, but these two made sense for the season that God is walking me through. Learning to rely on God’s strength in my weakness. Also learning to be emotionally vulnerable, which I have generally seen as a weakness. Yet, I have told clients before that Jesus was humble and vulnerable, and yet I also know He is strong. I even admire when I see others who are open, honest, transparent and controlled in sharing their feelings and emotions.

As I have started the year, my devotionals and readings, this has felt confirmed the words and I have drawn out of Scriptures these words where previously I may have overlooked people’s vulnerability or God’s strength in the passage. I feel like, as scary as it might be I am headed in the right direction. I also realize in looking back at past entries, that God has been bringing me to this point for a while. Maybe I am finally in a place where I am ready to submit to the process.

As part of my commitment to the process I have joined a confessional community. I learned about these in a training with Dr. Curt Thompson over the fall. The idea both intrigued me and frightened me at the same time. I could see the benefit and God’s design in what these communities are designed to allow to take place. He uses the term “to been seen, soothed, safe and secure.” In both my spiritual practice and my clinical training, I know these are things that help regulate us. I also recognize that I have a tendency to regulate through avoidance or in the past through consumption of food. I can see God working to move me out of these practices.

I am excited about what God is going to do in the next six months as I have committed to this community of complete strangers from around the continent. I have already started praying for the process and the people, especially those in my community, as I prayed for God to help me to be prepared for this process. I know it is only in His strength that I will be able to walk through these practices that are so completely foreign for me to participate in. I am used to holding space for other’s stories and feelings, I am not used to having someone hold space for mine. When I have shared my story in the past it has been for the benefit of someone or an agency, not for someone to hold space for my feelings. I don’t even feel like when I have had therapy that the people held space for my feelings, it was more solution focused and maybe some validation.

I know that His strength and my vulnerability will show up in other spaces as I move through the year, but this is one that I have intentionally placed myself in for the process. I believe that it will transform a lot of other areas in my life also.