Vulnerability is one of those words that carries both hope and fear. It’s the key to deep relationships, spiritual growth, and emotional healing, yet it often feels like a risk too great to take. As I reflected on this in my morning devotional, I found myself drawn to 2 Corinthians 3:18:
> “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV)
This verse speaks of transformation, of becoming more like Christ as we gaze upon Him. But one phrase stood out to me—”with unveiled faces.” It implies openness, honesty, and a willingness to be seen as we truly are. Yet, if I’m honest with myself, I often resist this unveiling. Why is it so difficult to be vulnerable?
The Fear of Exposure
Earlier in 2 Corinthians 3, Paul contrasts the old and new covenants. He describes how Moses covered his face with a veil because the Israelites were afraid to see the fading glory of God’s presence upon him (v. 13). This image of veiling represents our tendency to hide—whether out of fear, shame, or a sense of unworthiness.
I find myself doing the same thing. I hesitate to be vulnerable because I don’t want others to see my weaknesses, my struggles, or my failures. There’s a deep-rooted fear that if I let people see the real me, I’ll be rejected or judged. I tell myself that strength means having it all together, but in reality, keeping up that illusion is exhausting.
The Illusion of Control
Paul also speaks about the difference between the letter of the law and the Spirit (v. 6). The law brings condemnation, but the Spirit brings life. I wonder if my resistance to vulnerability comes from an attempt to control how others perceive me. If I stay guarded, I can manage my image. If I keep certain struggles hidden, I can avoid feeling weak.
But 2 Corinthians 3:17 reminds me, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” True freedom comes not in self-protection but in surrender. Vulnerability is not about recklessly exposing ourselves; it’s about trusting God enough to be honest—first with Him and then with others.
Transformation Through Unveiling
The beautiful promise of verse 18 is that as we behold Christ with unveiled faces, we are being transformed. This transformation doesn’t happen behind a mask. It happens in honesty, in surrender, in vulnerability. The more I am willing to come before God as I truly am, the more He shapes me into His image.
So, why is vulnerability so difficult? Because it requires trust. It requires letting go of control. It requires believing that God’s grace is sufficient for me, that my worth is not in my perfection but in Christ’s work within me.
I’m still learning. But today, I choose to take one step closer to unveiling my face—to embracing the freedom that comes from being fully known and fully loved by Him.
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