Vulnerability

Vulnerability, a means of healing…

We must learn vulnerability to heal and bring healing to the Body of the Messiah. Too many people, especially in leadership, are walking wounded but remain silent because they feel the need to appear perfect in public. However, throughout Biblical history, every family faced challenges, including murder, suffering, disease, and heartbreak. For example, Aaron’s first sons, who held esteemed positions, ended up being consumed by fire while wearing their priestly garments. The lives of David, Eli, and Jacob’s families were also filled with turmoil.

Today, we witness divorce, messy custody battles, and children struggling with issues such as drug use and pornography. These struggles occur within the community of Believers, often hidden away due to a fear of judgment. Just ask King David, who faced the trauma of his daughter being raped by his son stayed silent at a time when his voice was needed.

Many people wear masks, hiding the chaos of their lives behind closed doors. They fear that expressing their struggles will only invite shame or be dismissed with the attitude of “It’s just the Devil.” The devil has been given too much credit; a simple look in the mirror could reveal the truth (Pick up a copy of Satan Unmasked). HERE

Embracing vulnerability leads to personal growth. It is time to remove the mask and fully embrace who we are and what we are experiencing, but can we find a safe place among our neighbors? Jennifer Caspari Ph.D states,

“Humans have a strong instinct for self-protection, to avoid pain and hurt. However, being vulnerable is part of being human. Being vulnerable requires us to let our guard down and be seen for who we authentically are. This is difficult, and a key part of enhancing self-acceptance and genuine confidence, building relationships, and strengthening quality of life is allowing ourselves to be seen by ourselves and others.” HERE.

Having lived with a disability since my late thirties, I have often been wounded and surprised by the views of Believers regarding sickness, mental illness, and disease. I also find myself in the position where leaders confide in me about their secret health and family issues, fearing ostracism or judgment from others. These leaders are concerned that people will attribute their health problems to not following commandments, poor eating habits, or various other reasons, such as generational curses, demonic strongholds, unforgiveness, fear, trauma, or even being labeled a hypochondriac or someone lacking faith.

Of course, we know that the daughter who was vexed with demons was spared because her mother cried out for her with faith, and the lame man was lowered through the roof by four friends who carried him. We don’t read about their faith.

I could recount stories of illness from the earliest accounts recorded in the Bible to more recent times. My research on this topic began twenty years ago when my mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I could reference every depressed prophet who longed for death or list the many holy men who were beheaded, stoned, crucified, or who suffered greatly in various ways. I could detail how every demon and swine fled at the command of the greatest voice to ever declare, “Go!”—and they went! There was no binding and loosing, decreeing and declaring or misinterpreting scriptures to free a person.

Some of the most liberated individuals I’ve ever encountered were those who were seriously ill or nearing the end of their lives. I have witnessed friends who faced deep pain caused by Believers while dealing with conditions such as ALS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, tumors, spinal issues, autism, heart conditions, and gastrointestinal problems. At times, it is not us but our children who suffer. Many of us have endured these challenges in silence due to the harsh judgments from Job’s friends.

I have witnessed people going off their medications and ending up in the hospital, and even one person faced lockdown because others claimed their pharmaceutical treatments were witchcraft. While some medications may indeed be questionable, doctors have saved many lives. On the other hand, marijuana, a plant known for its healing properties for seizures, is often labeled as demonic, just like other natural herbs.

I’ve been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) twice, only to have the diagnosis removed. Once, after a spinal tap and a full MRI workup, someone told me that I needed deliverance from demons and unforgiveness—that’s why I had MS. About a year later, that same person contacted me, apologized, and humbly confessed, “I now have MS.”

I would never wish such suffering on anyone, but I can honestly say that suffering has been my greatest teacher, and I am not the healer. We often forget that we are not living in the Garden of Eden. The conditions here, such as our water and food sources, have changed significantly, but despite that, He has numbered our days.

I am writing this because I believe it’s time for humility and freedom to be part of our journey, and that begins with being vulnerable. Remember who attended the Great Supper? It wasn’t the wealthy and healthy; it was the lame, blind, crippled, and homeless—those from the hedges, highways, and byways. Could it be that they needed a Savior the most?

“But Jesus replied, “A certain man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’

Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out. Please excuse me.’

Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, so I cannot come.’

The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.

‘Sir,’ the servant replied, ‘what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’

So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will taste my banquet.’”

Luke 14

In Luke the people make excuses due to new spouses, properties, and sports cars, in Matthew those mentioned, don’t give a rats A%#:

“But not caring, they went away, one to his own field and one to his trading.” (Aw, stock market) Matthew 22:5…

Not caring… having no thought or concern… seeking worldly pleasures. I have observed that those who have experienced the greatest suffering in life often tend to be the ones who give to the poor, widows, orphans, and those in need of healing. It’s important to remove the mask and be vulnerable; this is how you can discover who your true friends are, and how to allow others a voice to share their greatest tragedies safely. We must walk in the power to confront darkness, expose lies, and bring everything to light so that all can see and address it.

As Babylon falls—and it is indeed falling as I type this—everyone will come to realize that it was never as grand as it seemed, nor was it better than the marriage supper of the Lamb, who, by the way, longs to share a meal with us and not just once a year.

It’s time to draw near to Him, as He faithfully promises to draw near to us! I’m going to sit with the Lamb for a bit and talk to Him about my day. I hope you will too.

If You want to learn more about sickness, disease, mental health issues, demons, and healing, Spirits Unveiled can be a great resource. You can purchase it here on my shop or in many venues, Kindle, Paperback & Audio, HERE. Also, if you would like a signed copy of my Series, I will send you one book for free.

Blessings,

Tekoa Manning