I was drawn to a topic today while meditating. I found the topic on the website https://tinybuddha.com/
The quote that caught my attention was by Jake Woodward:
“Instead of avoiding your pain, work through it. Instead of withholding your tears, let them flow. Instead of closing your heart, open it. Instead of expressing hate, show love. Instead of judging another, appreciate them. Instead of being uptight and serious, be playful. Instead of fearing the unknown, move into it.” --
In the quote Woodward is reflecting how being vulnerable is potentially a path to real strength.
My experience in recovery and in life teaches me that being vulnerable is associated with openness, honesty, and the willingness to be seen as we truly are.
Vulnerable In Recovery
AA emphasizes honesty and openness as vital to recovery, which inherently requires vulnerability. Starting with step 1: “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.”
We are asked to acknowledgment of our weakness and surrender. The surrender an act of vulnerability.
Then we are told that “We are only as sick as our secrets.” (AA saying) and by Holding onto shame and hiding our struggles keeps us trapped. Vulnerability allows healing and connection.
AA encourages reliance on others and on a Higher Power, rejecting self-sufficiency as a false strength.
“The greatest gift we can give ourselves is the permission to be vulnerable and ask for help.”
Building on the AA program there are others supporting the need for vulnerabiltiy.
Examples:
Brené Brown (Researcher on Shame & Vulnerability)
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.”
“Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.”
C.S. Lewis
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.” (The Four Loves)
Søren Kierkegaard
Vulnerability requires risk, but without it, we remain stagnant and disconnected.
“To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.”
Likewise the scriptures and theologens put forward.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Here, Paul acknowledges that vulnerability (weakness) allows God’s power to work through us.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
God is especially close to those who acknowledge their struggles.
James 5:16
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.”
Healing comes through openness and confession, not hiding our struggles.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet in part because pure Christlike love comes with the ability to be vulnerable.” (Conference Address, 2018)
Love and vulnerability go hand in hand, as Christ’s love requires an open heart.
President Russell M. Nelson
“God has a work for each of you to do. But in order to accomplish it, you must be able to hear His voice. And in order to hear His voice, you must be vulnerable enough to seek Him.”
Seeking divine guidance requires humility and openness.
Ether 12:27 (Book of Mormon)
“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness... my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me.”
Acknowledging weakness is a step toward receiving divine grace.
Mosiah 18:8-9
“Willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light.”
A community of believers must be open about struggles to truly support one another.
Final Thoughts
Vulnerability is a paradox—it feels risky, but it is the foundation of strength. AA teaches that admitting powerlessness is the first step to recovery. Scholars highlight vulnerability as the key to connection and growth. The Bible and LDS teachings emphasize that weakness allows God's strength to manifest in our lives. When we embrace vulnerability, we find deeper relationships, greater courage, and a pathway to divine grace.
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