Becoming Like Jesus: CommunitySample

The Power of Vulnerability, Part 1

Pray …

Heavenly Father, thank You that with You there’s no need for shame and hiding. You love me so completely, and it’s amazing to think about Your grace. Fill my mind with thoughts of You today. Give me desires that honor You. Turn my heart toward You. I love You, and I want to love You more. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Consider …

One of the greatest barriers to the kind of relationships we were made for is our past pain. Those wounds leave scars that can cause us to relate to people in janky ways.

Maybe for you, when circumstances around you are chaotic, you get clingy because you just don’t want another person to walk away.

Or perhaps, you do the opposite. At the first sign of trouble, you cut and run because you will do anything to avoid being wounded again.

So today, let’s bust another myth:

Myth #5: I will always be this way.

Most of us don’t even realize how often our everyday actions and decisions are being driven by past wounds. And when we finally start to realize just how dysfunctional what we’ve been doing is, we typically respond in one of two ways—we make excuses and act defensive, or we shame ourselves and accept defeat. Neither of those responses form us into the kind of people we were meant to be. And both of those responses heap even more strain on our existing relationships.

That’s why, today, we are going to slow down and talk about how to heal. Yesterday, we saw how much Jesus loves and wants to heal us. Now, let’s get practical.

First, we have to deal with our ego and pride. Far too often, we would rather be wounded and appear strong than seek healing and appear weak. So what do we do?

Step 1: Get brutally honest with God.

Pastor Craig Groeschel often says, “You are only as strong as you are honest.” Why? Because making excuses and accepting defeat doesn’t lead to healing. It just stunts our growth and leaves us miserable. The healing process begins when we admit that we need help.

Let’s break down this miraculous story:

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” …

Bartimaeus is a blind man begging on the side of the road. When he hears that Jesus is nearby, he begins shouting out for mercy. He is so honest and loud about his need that the crowd around Jesus tries to shut him up. But he just shouts louder. So, Jesus calls Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus leaps to his feet, and as he does, he throws his cloak—and whatever little bit of pride and ego he has left—aside. Then, Jesus asks a simple question.

… “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

Bartimaeus doesn’t shy away. He doesn’t hold back. He answers the question in faith.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

And Jesus responds with mercy.

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:46-52 NIV

When you feel like you have no one to help you, turn to Jesus. When you feel like you’ve been left out or left behind, understand that’s exactly where Jesus has come to look for you. Acknowledge that you need Him and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whenever you do, God isn’t just waiting to meet you halfway with His grace, mercy, kindness, and healing power—He’s already moving toward you. In fact, the place of your greatest need is exactly where He shows up to meet you, because:

Our weakness is actually the resting place for God’s strength.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV

Practice …

In a journal, your notes app, or the discussion portion of this Bible Plan, write down your answers to these questions:

What do you want God to do for you? What is holding you back from asking Him for help?

Stop making excuses, and don’t accept defeat. Cry out to Him today. Tell Him you need Him.

Listen …

Find a quiet place where you can continue to spend time with God. Maybe you have a favorite chair, a certain spot in your backyard, or a particularly cozy closet. Wherever you need to go to limit distractions, do it.

Set a timer for 5-10 minutes.

Ask God to speak to you.

When you get distracted in your mind, and you will, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, use it as a chance to practice coming back to Jesus by praying this prayer:

Lord Jesus, have mercy on me. Heavenly Father, speak to me. Holy Spirit, breathe on me.

When the timer ends, thank God for the time you spent together and go into your day looking for opportunities to love Him and love others.