Known: Finding Freedom in Vulnerability

In this episode, Claire Leong joins the podcast to discuss our call to embrace the power of biblical vulnerability. God created us to live in authentic connection with Him and with others. When we don't feel known, we can feel very isolated, misunderstood, and insecure. There is so much empowerment in vulnerability and this episode will shed some fresh light on it! About the SpeakerClaire Leong may have been born in the Midwest, but growing up on the west coast has made her a California girl at heart. Growing up in Northern California, Claire established her love for academics, theater, and God – she became a Christian when she was 15 years old. She moved south and earned her Theater degree at UCLA, married her incredible husband Ben, and they now have their two girls, Melody and Hazel. She currently works in the IT department for National University System, and spends her off hours having fun with her family, crocheting, and serving God with her voice and her talents. Through various life challenges, Claire has come to appreciate our need for connection with others, and how Satan can use isolation to keep us from seeing and believing in God’s word.Episode Notes1 John 1:5-9 - Living in the light gives us authentic connection to God and others and brings healing. Confession of sin: we have to confess to find healing! Wrestling to be approved vs "known" We feel so separated when we have things we're hiding- because we are! Hiding brings insecurity. Sometimes we feel like people won't understand our brokenness, so we stop sharing the dark places of our hearts- this isn't how God intended us to live! He wants us to live free and live known. Admitting our junk & sin doesn't make us less worthy of God's love. His grace isn't based on us, it's just placed on us- so there's no need to stay hidden. Social media is one of the biggest deceivers of connection. We find meaningful connection in the hardest of times. But we have to choose to bring ourselves out of isolation. Practical: Have planned time in your schedule where you connect with people and have opportunities to talk on a deep level.God wants to know us and for us to be known by others. We are purified by Jesus, we just have to own our brokenness and let others in. We need to take initiative to invite others into our lives, struggles, and hurts. Vulnerability is intentional emotional exposure. There's a lot of empowerment in vulnerability. Lead by example if others don't do this with you- it gives them permission to be more open with you and ultimately God. We need to be patient and gracious with those we share our hearts with- it's more about being known and honoring God than about their response. Galatians 6:4 "Let everyone be devoted to fulfill the work God has given them to do with excellence, and their joy will be in doing what’s right and being themselves, and not in being affirmed by others." (TPT) Challenges:1. Think about something that you're really afraid to tell someone. Own it. And then find someone trustworthy you can talk to about it. 2. If you are not already set up on a recurring date with someone to connect, then add that into your schedule. Find time to be in each other's lives: to be open, honest, and feel connection. Support the showThank you so much for supporting the show. Check out our website or follow us Instagram!