I think it is both. When I am vulnerable with those I trust like God, my husband, my best friend, mom and etc. I can share those vulnerabilities with them without fear of being judged, ridiculed or even having them used against me. That in turn gives me strength because it’s not always easy to share your weaknesses. Especially if you the strong one like me. However, I have also learned over the years that you must be careful with whom you share those vulnerabilities with. You can be at a huge risk of having those things used against you or even being taken advantage of. So, through trial and error I have learned to use wisdom in this area.
Vulnerability is a weakness, to add on top is not a choice. It is falling on a being a victim situation. A vulnerable person needs to seek or identified for help. Example, children who are orphans needs assistance in one way or another. They are weakling. They are vulnerable to certain situations like hunger etc. also being vulnerable is risky. A vulnerable person can be a victim of manipulation from others who may take advantage of his vulnerability.
So I think there are definitely different definitions or beliefs of what we believe being vulnerable means and especially across cultures. So I believe it is both a risk and strength. I agree there are times when peoples vulnerabilities cause them to be taken advantage of and that is sad but that doesn’t make them weak. Some people are just cruel. However, it can also be a strength. At times when I am vulnerable with my husband it means I am sharing with him my weaknesses, fears, failures, worries etc and even sharing ways he can pray for me. To me it’s a personal level of intimacy and it works both ways because he shares in the same way with me. When we are vulnerable with one another we are saying we trust one another with sensitive stuff. But I have also been in bad relationships where being vulnerable got me taken advantage of. So you have to use wisdom for sure.