That moment just after I’d purged and cleared out all the bad stuff that was keeping me trapped. I’d feel lighter the next day. The burden had been lifted… for a while. But because I knew my pattern, I knew it wasn’t gone forever. My secrets mocked me like a shadow looming in the corner. It was only gone until next time it creeped back in. I felt shame around what I felt I could never share. I felt fear that I’d never be able to get free from this trap that had its grip on me. That cycle had a name, even if I didn't have language for it yet.
The Hero's Weakness
It is a common theme across our literary heroes. Achilles had a weakness in his heel. Superman had Kryptonite. Powerful characters can be brought down, humbled and destroyed through these vulnerabilities.
A character, or person who denies their weakness falls easily. Failing to protect against it being exploited by their enemy, is a serious mistake. But anyone who names their weakness, surrounds themselves with an alliance of friends who help support and protect, becomes far stronger than they ever thought possible.
In my case, I was full of ambitions and big dreams. I had hopes of being great, but I was sabotaging myself by harboring my own weakness. Later, there was a time when I was humbled and brought low because of how weak I’d allowed myself to become. I didn’t know if I would ever again be able to contribute to the work I cared about. I didn’t know if I’d be welcome in the community. It was a hard time. I’m grateful that my story didn’t end there.
The Biblical anchor
My community didn’t push me away. In fact, once I was open to safe people, for the first time they really knew me. The real me. I’d wish for anyone to feel known within the community of believers in this way.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:5-10 (ESV)
This passage of scripture powerfully describe the idea of allowing light to penetrate the secrecy. James 4:7-10 adds to this, by telling us to resist the devil, then cleanse and humble ourselves.
Humbling and exposing our weakness will be uncomfortable, even painful, for a while. But the cleansing process and the value of being an active part of the community of saved believers, activates us to be exalted to carry out the powerful kingdom work we are called to do. That is the true heroic work, no longer hindered by our human failures.
Ask Yourself
Imagine a future version of yourself that is fully known by those who are close to you. Would it feel good to develop confident relationships founded on truth? What would you do? How would you live if you knew that there was no longer a secret life that was going to be found out?
Does the idea of being accepted in a strong, loving way, by people who fully know the real you, something you want? It takes the a lot of courage and will to step into that community. You will also help free others from an ensnared life too.
How would you feel to no longer have a weakness that you fear will be found out? What would it feel like to help someone else drop their fear and move into freedom?
Next
If you are reading this, it isn’t too late to throw off your weakness. Past mistakes can end and be redeemed into your new story as you change direction and begin to help others. If you want to go deeper into what the heroic framework says about transformimg your weakness, including the four questions I use personally, the Weakness Codex is the place to start.