Learning to Trust Again: Embracing Vulnerability on My Spiritual Journey

Trust. It’s such a simple word, yet for me, it carries a weight that feels almost unbearable at times. Over the years, I’ve built walls around my heart, brick by brick, to shield myself from the pain of being let down and hurt by the very people I trusted most; friends, family, those who were supposed to love and care for me. Because of this, learning to trust others has been one of the hardest struggles in my spiritual journey. I’ve always found it easier to keep my guard up, to avoid vulnerability, and to carry the load on my own.

But deep down, I know that God didn’t design us to walk through life alone. He places people in our lives to help carry our burdens, to support us, and to lift us when we fall. Yet trusting those people, even the ones God handpicked, has felt almost impossible at times. How do you open up to someone when you’ve been burned so many times before? How do you allow yourself to be vulnerable when your heart has been shattered by the very ones who promised they wouldn’t hurt you?

For so long, I told myself I could do it all on my own, that I didn’t need anyone. But the truth is, that’s not how God designed us. We’re called to be in community, to share our burdens with one another, and to be vulnerable, even when it feels terrifying. Trusting others is part of that. And as difficult as it is, I’ve come to realize that opening up and trusting people is not a weakness but a strength. It’s allowing God to work in us and through others, to heal those deep wounds that can only be healed through relationship.

One of the hardest parts of this journey for me has been learning how to cry in front of others. I know, it may sound silly, but for me, crying in front of people feels like exposing the deepest parts of myself, the parts I’m not sure I want anyone to see. I hate feeling weak or vulnerable, and crying, especially in front of someone else, feels like I’m losing control. I’m supposed to be the strong one, right? But here’s the thing I’ve learned: God never asked me to be strong all the time.

A close friend recently reminded me that putting my pride aside and allowing others to see me in my brokenness is exactly what I need to do to heal. So, if it means ugly crying, then ugly crying it is. I’ve learned that there’s something powerful in being honest about where we are, even if it means showing our tears, our pain, and our brokenness. I’m learning that it’s okay to cry in front of those I trust, and that, in fact, it’s often in those moments that God does some of His best work.

One of the biggest lessons I’m learning on this journey is that holding on to things alone, those struggles and battles we face, isn’t always the best thing. In fact, it’s rarely the best thing. When we keep everything bottled up, it starts to weigh heavy on our hearts, causing anxiety, stress, and even depression. The Bible reminds us in Galatians 6:2 to carry each other’s burdens, because that’s what we are called to do as brothers and sisters in Christ. We weren’t made to carry our burdens alone.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should share everything with everyone or that every issue we have needs to be aired out in public. But I am learning that when it comes to the deep struggles, the battles we face that we can’t seem to conquer alone, there is a time and place for opening up to trusted friends. Those people God has placed in our lives are there for a reason, to walk alongside us and to help carry those burdens when we are too tired or too weak to carry them ourselves.

Again, this has been challenging for me, learning to open up, to let people in, and to trust that God is using them to help me heal. It’s still not easy. In fact, it’s still a daily battle. But I’m learning, little by little, to trust the process, to trust the people God has placed in my life, and ultimately, to trust Him more deeply through it all.

I don’t have it all figured out, and I still struggle with letting go and trusting people. But I’m taking small steps. I’m learning to lean on the friends who have proven themselves trustworthy, the ones I know God placed in my life for this exact season. And as I do, I feel a little lighter. The load doesn’t feel quite as heavy as it used to. And slowly, I’m realizing that trusting others isn’t a weakness, it’s part of the healing process.

So, if you’re like me and trust has been a big issue in your life, I want to encourage you to take that first step. Open up, just a little, to the people God has placed in your life. It’s scary, I know. But I truly believe that healing comes through community, through letting others walk alongside us in our journey. And yes, if that means ugly crying to a trusted friend, then so be it. I’m learning to be okay with that too. Because at the end of the day, God doesn’t want us to carry it all on our own. He’s placed people in our lives to help, and when we trust Him, we’ll find that He’s using those very people to help us heal.

I hope this blog speaks to you if you’ve ever struggled with trust or opening up to others. God didn’t create us to walk through life alone. Trust is hard, I know, but it’s a part of healing. And in those moments when you feel vulnerable or weak, remember that it’s in our weakness that God’s strength shines the brightest.

Father, I come before You with a heart that longs to trust more deeply, both in You and in the people You’ve placed in my life. Lord, I ask for the courage to let down my guard, to open up my heart, and to allow myself to be vulnerable with those who are meant to walk this journey with me. Help me to release the fear of being hurt or let down again and remind me that in You, I am safe. May Your grace flow through me as I learn to trust others and lean on the support of those who love me. Give me the strength to let go of pride and the humility to accept help when I need it. Thank You for placing people in my life to encourage and guide me as I heal. Help me to remember that I am never alone, for You are always with me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.