Verse Mapping “Limitless Life”

I have heard about and seen different people example verse mapping so I figured I would give it a try. I must say that it is an amazing technique to use. I found that I got so much more out of the verse after I dissected it. Each word came alive and by inserting my own name it became very personal and spoke to me. It was exactly what I needed to hear. My confidence and the way I see myself is not always how I wish it would be so I took great comfort in this verse and knowing how valuable I am to God. He paid such a high price for me…(His Son) and implanted His life in me through the Spirit. I belong to Him and He loves every aspect of me. But with the Spirit within me why do I still fear?

This week we have been working on the first and second chapter of Limitless Life by Derwin L. Gray. Derwin started out the first chapter with a quote from Nelson Mandela. This quote set a great foundation for the first chapter. It said….

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” -Nelson Mandela

This is something that I had a misconception of. For some reason I perceived fear as something that I should  not do or have within me God is constantly telling us, “Do not fear,” “Do not be afraid,” “Do not be anxious.” So in a way whenever I would feel one of these emotions I would feel guilty. I would feel like I was not trusting God completely. Why am I worrying when God is in control? Why am I so afraid of the unknown and what my future holds when God has it all planned out? Am I going against God by feeling this way?

Then after reading the first chapter and reflecting on the quote by Mandela, which I referenced above, I realized that I am not alone.

Derwin starts off the chapter talking about the commonly known “David and Goliath”story. As I read back through this story in my Bible I saw where Mandela’s quote came into play. David was afraid. He was scared of facing Goliath. All the other men in the army feared him as well. No one wanted to fight the giant in fear that they would loose and be killed. The difference between David and the other men is that David found his strength and courage to overcome fear by trusting God. That is what we need to do more of this in our own lives. There are many people throughout the Bible that serve as an example of this fear of what God was asking them to do. They did not want to take risk in fear of failing and in fear of the unknown. But when they trusted in God and found their courage to take risks through Him, great things came from it.

I have been struggling lately with knowing what my “purpose” is? What is God’s will for me? What risks does He want me to take? I have been driving myself crazy trying to figure out what steps I should be taking to figure this out. Then I realized that it is not my responsibility to figure it out. I just have to have an open humble heart and ask God to come into my heart and direct me. He will lead me where He wants me to go, setting me up in the perfect position to take the opportunities and risks He wants for me. My job is to fully trust Him and take those first steps even though I may be fearful. He WILL be with me every step of the way and will NOT lead me astray.

So with that said… it is so comforting and important for me to remember that I will be fearful of change, the unknown and what is to come. That is normal. The important thing is that I overcome and conquer that fear by having courage. And that courage comes from God.

So take comfort in that my friends. With God you can conquer anything!!