How Admitting Your Brokenness Ignites a Breakthrough

Have you ever been so confident you were right—only to be embarrassingly wrong?

That was me, on a vacation in Mexico.

In August 2022, my family and I joined friends and relatives for a trip to Mexico. 

One day, we decided to tour Isla Mujeres, a stunning island with gorgeous ocean views. Each family rented a golf cart to explore the island.

After visiting one scenic spot, we were hot, sweaty, and ready to cool off with water and ice cream. 

As we prepared to leave, I sat in the driver’s seat with my oldest daughter, while my wife and youngest daughter sat in the back, facing backward.

I was about to reverse the golf cart when my wife said, "Stop! There's a cone behind you."

With confidence—and a touch of arrogance—I replied, "Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing."

And then, I backed up.

Bump.

I hit the cone—which was covering a rock.

In that moment, I felt foolish. My pride had led me straight into an avoidable mistake.

If we’re not careful, pride can blind us to our flaws and cause us to act foolishly.

The Pitfalls of Pride

I can relate to Peter.

Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers, was proud, overconfident, and impulsive. And near the end of Jesus’ life, Peter’s pride got the best of him.

Matthew 26 records Peter’s famous failure. Here’s how it happened:

After the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives. There, Jesus warned them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me.”

Peter, overconfident as always, declared, “Even if all fall away, I never will!”

But Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

Peter doubled down: “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you!”

My wife, who is Indonesian, has a saying for moments like this: NATO—No Action, Talk Only.

That was Peter.

And as always, when Jesus predicts something, it happens.

Fast forward a few hours.

Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and taken to trial. While the other disciples scatter, Peter follows at a distance and waits in the courtyard.

A servant girl spots him and says, “You were with Jesus of Galilee.”

Peter denies it: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Lie #1.

Feeling uneasy, Peter moves closer to the gate. Another girl says, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

Peter swears: “I don’t know the man!”

In Jewish culture, oaths were sacred. By swearing, Peter not only intensifies his lie—he invokes God’s name to back it up. 

Lie #2.

Finally, a group approaches Peter and says, “Surely you’re one of them; your accent gives you away.”

Peter does the unthinkable. He curses and swears: “I don’t know the man!”

Some scholars suggest Peter may have even cursed Jesus to distance himself from Him.

Lie #3.

Then the rooster crows.

Peter remembers Jesus’ words and breaks down, weeping bitterly.

If we’re not careful, pride can blind us to our flaws and lead us to act foolishly.

The Surprising Power of Vulnerability

Peter hit rock bottom. He was ashamed and overwhelmed with guilt. Not only had he denied Jesus, he had let himself down.

But here’s the good news: Peter’s breaking point became the beginning of his breakthrough.

Peter admitted his brokenness. He wept, repented, and experienced forgiveness. His failure didn’t define him; it refined him. And God restored him to become a bold leader in the early church.

When we’re willing to admit our brokenness, we can ignite a breakthrough in our lives.

Here’s the truth: victories in life require vulnerability.

Brené Brown, in her book Daring Greatly, writes:

“Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the center of meaningful human experiences.”

Vulnerability.

It can sound weak, fragile, and small. Yet, it’s far stronger than we often realize.

Does this mean we should reveal all our secrets to the world? No, it doesn’t. As Brené Brown explains:

"Vulnerability is based on mutuality and requires boundaries and trust. It’s not oversharing, it’s not purging, it’s not indiscriminate disclosure, and it’s not celebrity-style social media information dumps. Vulnerability is about sharing our feelings and our experiences with people who have earned the right to hear them."

Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s courage. It’s about sharing our struggles with people who’ve earned our trust.

When we own our brokenness, we open the door to healing, growth, and strength.

As the Jesus-follower Paul heard from Jesus himself:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Strange, isn’t it? That admitting our weakness can make us stronger.

Brokenness isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning of something beautiful.

So, let’s remember: when we’re willing to embrace vulnerability, we ignite the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for.