We often think of strength as the ability to stand tall, to hold everything together, and to push through no matter what. From a young age, many of us are taught that showing emotion is a sign of weakness. We are told to smile when we are hurting, to say we are fine when we are not, and to keep moving forward without complaint. But true strength is not about hiding. True strength is found in vulnerability.
Vulnerability is the courage to be honest about our struggles. It is the willingness to say, “I am hurting. I need help.” It is admitting that we cannot do life alone. That kind of honesty requires far more courage than pretending to be fine ever will.
When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we open the door for connection. We give others the chance to step in and support us. We also allow ourselves to lean on faith more fully. Vulnerability is not weakness—it is trust. It is saying, “I cannot carry this on my own, but I believe I do not have to.”
In Through the Pain: A Journey of Healing and Faith, Tina M speaks openly about smiling through pain, about the strength people often assumed she had, and about the reality of tears behind closed doors. Her words remind us that the act of sharing our struggles can be the very thing that saves us. By choosing honesty, she shows us that strength is not about perfection but about persistence, faith, and love.
One of the most powerful truths about vulnerability is that it creates space for healing. For example, when we stop pretending and start admitting our struggles, we not only ease the weight on our own hearts but also give others permission to do the same. Vulnerability breaks this isolation and reminds us that we are all human and carry burdens. It reminds us that together we can find hope, no matter how bad the situation is.
In this context, true strength is not about being untouched by pain. Rather, it is about facing pain honestly and leaning on God and His grace. When we are vulnerable, it allows us to find the courage to keep going anyway.
So, if you have been carrying the pressure to stay strong on your own, maybe today is the day to admit that you need help. Perhaps that is the moment to let faith and others step in to carry you. And if you need encouragement to see how strength and vulnerability can walk hand in hand, Tina M’s Through the Pain: A Journey of Healing and Faith is a book you will want to read. Reading this book will remind you that you are not alone in your struggles and that God is here to save you from pain.