Fragility

I know fragility is a common term used in the context of race, but I’m referring to a more general use.

Fragility: feeling fragile, broken, weary.

We often pit fragility against strength, courage, boldness, and even security. We might toss in faith and hope. We see fragility as uncertain and shaky. It’s something we don’t want. We want strength and stability. But it works together. Instead of pitting them against each other, let’s consider them as working together. They give each other context. They don’t cancel each other out. They reveal each other.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

It certainly sounds…certain. But the unshakeable aspect of faith is God. He doesn’t change. He isn’t fragile. Our faith can be at times. Our confidence wavers. Our assurance weakens. And that’s okay. We can question. We can doubt. We can even have fear and anxiety. When we fail to acknowledge we don’t feel certain about some aspects of faith, we will struggle. There is no flexibility, and small cracks eventually develop significant fractures. If we believe the goal of faith is perfection, we lack humility to reflect on ourselves. If we make faith more about ourselves than God, we get distracted. And that is one way of many our faith is weakened and becomes fragile.

Fragile faith does not contradict itself. It is an opportunity to heal and grow when we allow it to be. It’s not a tug-of-war to determine which will win, fragility or faith. When dealt with authentically, it’s an invitation to stand with God and trust him to strengthen the weak spaces. It’s not mustering our own courage but relying on his. It’s not investing in our own security but accessing his. It’s acknowledging our weariness and relying on God for the process toward liveliness and alertness. He is the one who knows what we need and how to inspire us to focus.

If you are in a place of fragility, seek God. If you feel strong in your faith, seek God. He is the one who knows our next steps and missteps. He knows the nourishment, correction, and guidance we need. He is worthy of the confidence and assurance we have in him.