Thursday, August 20, 2026
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand† of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:6-9
What To Do If You Are In A Vulnerable Season Of Life
Jesus meets people in their deepest moments of discouragement, loneliness, hopelessness and doubt. He gives comfort and security when everything seems uncertain. He trades life for death, beauty for ashes, restoration for ruins. We may not see these things happen before our eyes, but they can happen in our hearts.
A couple of weeks ago we saw Jesus bring the son of a vulnerable woman back to life. She was a widow and her only son just died. Jesus reversed death and gave life, much like he does for you and me. Is there anyone more vulnerable than someone dead in sin, lost and facing eternal separation from God? Satan dancing all around them, rejoicing and preying on them in their vulnerability. There is nothing more vulnerable than a soul lost for eternity, but Jesus had compassion on us, gave his life as a sacrifice so we could be forgiven and have eternal life with God. He reversed death and gave us life.
Even in today’s modern society, an older woman alone is still vulnerable in some situations. That may not be a popular opinion, but it is truth. Even just living alone for anyone - male or female -makes you feel vulnerable. It makes you think twice before climbing a ladder. Being alone in this world is still a vulnerable position.
When we are in vulnerable seasons, and we are not connected to the Lord – the Vine – we can end up latching on to the wrong things looking for that connection that only he can give. We may feel desperate, alone, scared, hopeless, and we will take anything that takes that feeling away. It is so important to stay connected to the true Vine because, as the verse above says, Satan is on the prowl, and he preys on the vulnerable. He is the wolf in sheep’s clothing that looks like a safe place, a comforting place, or a place where we feel seen and loved but it is a trap.
What do we do when we are in a vulnerable season of life?
Abide. Cling to Jesus. Draw from the Vine. Vulnerability can cause confusion, doubt, fear and panic. We need to lean into the Savior we know and remain in him. Dwell in him. Don’t run from thing to thing looking for safety, peace, distraction, or security because we will not find it when we look anywhere other than Jesus.
Abide in me, and I in you… We are tethered to Jesus. He abides in us as we abide in him. It is simple really. It just requires us to be still and remain in him. The problem is that when we are vulnerable we try to do whatever we can to get rid of that feeling and we end up doing things that leave us even more vulnerable. Stop looking in all the wrong places and running to all the wrong things. Lean into Jesus and just stay, remain, abide in him and let his presence in you wash over you with a peace that transcends all circumstances and seasons.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:4-11
