Managing our vulnerabilities is a concept that mitigates our insecurities. In this sense, insecurities refer to the different areas in our mind where we may lack the confidence we desire to fully show up for ourselves.
The first step is putting the Creator first and self-awareness.
We must acknowledge the fact that we may not be where we want to be mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally; however, it is not the end of the world. And every day, we can make progress to securing ourselves fully as we continue to evolve.
Our life journeys vary upon experience and the time we have spent on Earth. So our individual growth rates will vary. Secondly, we must accept this and be patient with ourselves as we continue to grow as human beings.
Hebrews 5:12-14 (KJV)
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 5:12-14 (NIV)
12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
We must identify and recognize our own vulnerabilities. This is very important because if we leave our vulnerabilities unacknowledged, they can be exploited and mutate into an insecurity.
We have to nurture our own vulnerabilities as Yah nurtures us. Just as a mother would nurture her crying baby, we have to do the same with ourselves. Our insecurities and vulnerabilities would be the crying baby and our effort to secure, nurture, and love ourselves would be the mother.
Society’s purpose isn’t to take care of us. It is a place designed to give us a simulation of what is deemed as an ideal life. And we may not all agree with it. So, our standards may not align with society’s, therefore, making us vulnerable or susceptible to its criticism.
We have to be mentally prepared to overtake the pressure that comes with living in this world. We may not be able to win every battle against what life and this world throws at us. That’s why it’s important that we manage our vulnerabilities so we can be the best version of ourselves at all times. So, if even we were to lose a battle, we would still have our dignity. That’s all that matters at the end of any war. Wars were designed to break and infiltrate. If we keep our health afloat, especially our mental and faith, we can overcome anything.
We have to motivate ourselves to develop self-empowerment so that we can have the strength to maintain ourselves and overcome obstacles.
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
People may not always be in our corner to motivate and uplift us. We have to put Yah first and also be our biggest support.We have to be our biggest motivators.
It is also imperative that we surround ourselves with like-minded individuals if possible, so we have people to commune with.
Sometimes just repeating to ourselves internally that, "we can do it" is not enough.
We have to outwardly express this to ourselves as if we were someone else or a crowd. We have to be out biggest fan.
People come and go. It’s not good for us to have that same mentality to ourselves.
It’s detrimental to our mental health. We have to show ourselves support by showing up for ourselves every occasion necessary.
For instance, let’s say we want to begin going to the gym. No one is going to work out for us, we have to work out for ourselves. Let’s say we want to begin cooking, having other people cook for us or eating fast food will not help us reach our goal, so we have to show up for our self by taking the initiative and time out to cook for our self. The reward would be that our cooking improves over time and possibly, every time.
Managing our vulnerabilities helps us develop into better versions of our ourselves because we would be maintaining our entire autonomy and not just the parts that we are good at or love to be present in.
Managing our vulnerabilities will eventually become us being secure in ourselves as we are acknowledging that they exist, being patient with ourselves, and learning how to nurture and heal them as much as we can while continuing to maintain our autonomy.
Indicators of compromise can be indicators of our vulnerabilities that we didn’t know existed.
Some indicators of compromise could be people leaving us out in the cold after putting your energy into people, places, or things or, people not showing us the same support that we show to them. These are possible indicators because they indicate exposure to a source with a lack of security in the outcome of not getting the same actions in return.
Be mindful of any indicators of compromise so that you won’t put yourself in harm's way and feel or be left insecure.
If you ever feel this way or happen to do so after self-reflecting, it is time to change who you surround yourself with and habits that you partake in. Transforming those areas of your life will help you better manage your vulnerabilities.
Keep an eye out for your personal key risk indicators of breaches regarding your own well-being! They will protect you from making yourself vulnerable to social engineering attacks or even yourself, that is why self-awareness is mandatory.
If you ever notice any indicators of social engineering used towards you, you can use it as counterintelligence so that you can protect yourself by applying the knowledge you have on how to be secure in yourself and not cave into the engineering.
Remain self-aware as much as you can. Your self awareness is what will keep you afloat. Ask Yah for guidance and you will be able to protect yourself with your highest capabilities.
Love, peace, and happiness
Stay Witty!
- Jimmia Williams
I love how you bring out concepts I wouldn’t regularly consider but remain so prevalent in my life. Shoutout to you
Having YAH first is key to managing vulnerabilities and insecurities. Really powerful article.