Afraid to Courage ---- Proverbs 31 OBS Blog Hop

This is the first week of our new study, Limitless Life by Derwin Gray, in Proverbs 31 OBS.  This book is about getting free of the labels we place on ourselves and moving forward with God in freedom.  

I don’t know about you but I have been putting labels on myself for a very long time.  

As a child I would say that “I wasn’t smart enough.”  As a teen I would say that “I wasn’t tall enough” or “pretty enough” or “I’ll just fail at that.”  As a young wife I would say that “I wasn’t good enough to be his wife.”  And as a mother I will say that “I don’t mother well enough,” that “I’m just a stay at home mom,” or that “fear can swallow me whole and I’ll just stay in my bubble.”  Really all these labels = FEAR.

Sometimes I’d rather wear the labels than to step out into what God is calling me to do. Because I think that would be easier.  I’ve been doing it for a very long time…it’s what I know.  

I’ll say, “Oh, I could NEVER do that because I’m not smart enough to do that.”  God says, “With Me, Michelle, you can do ANYTHING.  For NOTHING is impossible with Me!”

Fear can choke the life right out of you.  Fear can build up so much that you are grasping to take another breath.

Pride is the problem.  My pride is the reason I am afraid.  

I need to humble myself.  Is. 66:2 says, “This is the one God esteems: he who is humble.”

 

  

Humble myself and breathe easy.  Be humble and there is courage to do the hard things.  Humility leads to healing. “God only stitches new labels in the hearts of those who are humble enough to admit they need new ones.” Derwin Gray, Limitless Life.

  

In his book, Limitless Life, Derwin Gray says, “Never forget this: fear paralyzes us from acting on behalf of God’s glory, but faith mobilizes us to live courageously for God’s glory.”

Again…humility leads to healing.  I have to put this statement on repeat.  

“He humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross”
Phil. 2:8

  

Moving Forward --- Remembering Who I Belong To:

I am complete in Christ. Colossians 2:9-10

I have direct access to the throne of grace. Hebrews 4:14-16

God works for my good in all circumstances. Romans 8:28

I cannot be separated from the love of God. Romans 8:31-39

I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me.
Philippians 1:6

I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7

So yeah…I have this daily practice to move forward in freedom with God.  Keeping my eyes locked on His and silently whispering to myself that I can do all things through Him.  I can step forward in faith and wear the courage label that God has always had stitched onto my heart – because I am complete in Christ, I have direct access to the throne of grace, He loves me, He will finish the good work He has started in me, and I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

  

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