Hello Siestas! I pray you are well and blessed.
My name is Amy. I grew up in Texas and New Mexico. I’m blessed to have been raised in a loving home where I grew up as a Pastor’s kid. While I am no longer living in either of those states, I still claim Texas as my ‘Home Sweet Home.’ I love to read, cook, organize everything, and writing. Just recently I took up knitting!
I chose a scripture that while I know it – I don’t live it. For that reason I don’t have it memorized like I should. It carries so much promise I knew I needed to share it with you.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
I could write about my insecurities and fears all day. In fact, I have re-written this post four times now. Why? I have a fear of what other people will think of me – of how I will sound when people read it. The funny thing is that I want to be a writer. My heart and passion are in encouraging others, listening to their stories, and teaching God’s Word.
It has taken me a few years to find out this is what I really want to do with my life. My education is not in English or Communication, but I have figured out that it doesn’t matter. As my pastor says, “God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”
For years I have allowed my insecurities and fears to control me. I allowed the enemy to use them to hold me back from God’s call on my life. It has crept into my life in many areas: with my weight (a struggle that has lasted over fifteen years now), in finding a spouse, with other relationships, with job opportunities, with life goals I’ve wanted to achieve, and so much more.
Coming into this year I knew I had to change focus. My problem wasn’t that I didn’t know the issues I needed to deal with, or even the solutions to those issues, it was in the action to take the steps to achieve them. We’ve all been there at one time or another, right? Take my weight issue, for example: I’ve known for years I’ve needed to admit it, work on it, and conquer it. My problem wasn’t admitting I needed to lose weight. I had admitted that to family, friends and even myself. My problem wasn’t in knowing what to do – I had read everything, been to a dietitian, nutritionist, a few trainers, and tried many diets. My problem was simply doing it.
I have a wonderful younger brother. He has grown into an amazing man of God. He is my best friend and the best person in my life when it comes to being honest. He isn’t afraid of hurting my feelings. He loves me enough to speak truth. He talked to me the other night about this very issue of weight. His words, while truthful and hard-hitting, held so much grace. While I was carrying on about feeling alone with no one around to help me, he said “Amy, in the physical sense you are alone. You are alone because you are the only one who can physically do this. I can’t step into your body and make you – it’s up to you. But in the spiritual sense, you should know better. You are so strong. Physically you are strong. Spiritually you are strong. But you’re also strong mentally. If there is anyone I know who can do this it is you. You really are a warrior. You just have these jabs the enemy keeps hitting you with. You are in this for yourself!”
I need to hear those words. My eyes watered when he called me a warrior. I don’t know that I’ve ever been called that before. It made me realize that I’ve allowed my insecurities and fears to control me for too long – not just in my weight, but in many areas in my life. To hear someone I admire so dearly call me a warrior! I associate warrior with words like boldness, courage, dedication, steadfast, determined, unstoppable. To see my brother’s confidence in me helped me to understand that is how Christ sees me – like a warrior! I needed this to kick me into high gear.
Now I’m determined. I won’t allow fear or insecurity to hold me back from what God is calling me to do. It doesn’t matter what the issue, I can conquer it. I am a daughter of the Most High God. Dear Siesta, you are too!
I want to encourage you that whatever issues you are facing this year, remember that Jesus adores you and calls you His daughter. His Word says that we can confidently walk forward in life wearing strength and dignity as our fashion statement. We can walk into our future knowing that we are warriors for Christ. We don’t have to know the future to face it with confidence. The Word says we laugh without fear of the future! We don’t have to fear what is to come, our future mistakes, our insecurities and how they will play out.
We just do our part and take a step. Our confidence comes in knowing he is taking us one step at a time as Psalms 37:23 says: “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” NLT
My prayer for us, Siestas, is that we take Him at His Word. He delights in the details of our lives, He knows what is to come, and we can confidently take the step, the action, and move forward, without fear.
Hello, my name is Lori. I live in Medford Oregon.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
John 15:9 NIV
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)
Suzanne Bailey, Harrisville,RI
“Bless those who persecute you;
bless and do not curse them.”
Romans 12:14 ESV (part of a series)
South Portland, Maine
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
James 5:19-20 NIV
Becky Jo
Chesterfield MI
I am still confident of this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, Wait for the Lord; Be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord.
Psalm 27:13-14
Yvonne Gearing – Kingman, AZ
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
Krista H Winchester, VA
Psalm 34:1-3 HSCB
I will praise the Lord at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
I will boast in the Lord;
the humble will hear and be glad.
Proclaim Yahweh’s greatness with me;
let us exalt His name together.
Chris
Canton, NC
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Karen A. Minot ND “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12: 1-2
Your words are beautiful and just what i needed to read. Thank you for your courage.
Keri Lee Robbins, Las Vegas, NV “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.”
Psalms 68:5-6 NKJV
Debbie Fitzpatrick, Bossier City, LA
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:24, ESV
Michelle Baylerian, Greenville, WI
Who forgives all your inequity, who heals all your diseases Psalm 103:3 ESV
Brenda Ammons from Byhalia, MS John 15:9 Amplified “I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you].”
Lisa Landis
Castro Valley, CA
“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the LORD.”
Psalm 68:4 NIV
Fresno, CA
But You are the same, and Your years have no end.
The children of your servants will continue
and their descendants will be established before You.
Psalm 102:27-28 (NKJV)
For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lords will is. And do not get drunk with wine which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit,speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to The Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Eph 5: 17-21, NIV
Elizabeth Mitchell- living in Haverhill, England- “The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV
Janet S.
Bemus Point, NY
Malachi 4:2 (NASB)
But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.
And in French:
Malachie 3:20 (SG21)
Mais pour vous qui craignez mon nom le soleil de justice se levera, et la guerison sera dans ses rayons. Vous sortirez en bondissant comme les veaux d’une etable…
Angelica (Angel) Chilton, Hillsboro, Texas
“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” 1 John 4:20 (NIV)
Anne Stinnette, Koror, Palau. “Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called the Uncircumcision” but the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands -” Eph. 2:11 NASB
Thank You soo much for writing this- You reminded me that I am a warrior. I too have stuggled with my weight and connected it to my identity. God wants me to be clothed with strength and dignity which come from Him. Keep writing Amy your Words are a blessing and come from the heart of God!!
What a wonderful post and message that applies to so many who have fears, doubts and insecurities. You have inspired me today to the the bold warrior that the Lord wants me to be.
Cathy – Birmingham, Al
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
God is in control!
Sue Middeldorf – Troy, Michigan – “the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:26 (NIV)
Beth, Andover, MN: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” Deut. 7:9 (NIV)
Lori Johnson Auburn, MA John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Vivienne B, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.
Jeremiah 33:3 (NLT)
Sandy F from Bowie, MD
“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.”
Psalms 27:4 KJV
Jodi, Perth Western Australia
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
James 3:17 NASB
Dear Amy,
I have a degree in Comminications and I write professionally…this was beautiful:-) Thank you for sharing and inspiring us. God will continue to lead you and bring you up as He has promised just allow Him to do so. Blessings to you sweet thing.
Jill Miller; Akron, IN “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV
Tina, Columbus Ohio
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19 & 20 NIV
Terri Assael – State College, PA
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
Psalm 16:6 ESV
Dearest Amy
Thank you. Be of good cheer. Jesus said.
You write well.
Mrs Sue Hardey Caldwell, a friend of Living Proof Ministry
Michele Gibbons
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:6-8a NIV
Thank you, little Miss Warrior! I really needed this today. I truly appreciate this!
Connie Tyler Tx. “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Lora Faircloth, Fayetteville, NC
Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Philippians 2:14 NIV
Dawn Atwood, Colleyville, TX
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25, NIV
Candy from St Louis
“He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)”
Ephesians 4:10 NIV
Blessings Amy – great share for SSMT! I am on a Toronto LPL focus…”My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord” Isaiah 55:8
Susan, Houston, Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Eph.5:15-16 ESV
Cassia, Spring, TX
“I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
Jeremiah 29:10-11 MSG Version
Thank you for your post. We “ARE” conquerors in Christ Jesus!! I too am battling issues in my life. It’s women like you who take the time to give encouraging words through scripture, that helps me to move forward. God bless you, as you pursue your calling. It is most evident that you “ARE” a writer. 🙂
Peggyann ~ Crestview, Florida
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31(NKJV)
Always remember Jesus Loves You
Amy, all I can say is, AMEN, AMEN, AMEN, AMEN, AMEN! YOU GO, GIRL!!!!!
Thank you for this brave, wonderful post! I felt like you were talking right to me. Your brother is so right…you CAN make changes with Christ by your side! And you are blessed to learn these Truths when you are young, instead of 30 years from now.
Much love, and I will be praying for you!
Blessings,
Melody
Sue from Wolfeboro, NH;
“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15
Donna Alsop, Bakersfield, CA
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:13-15 (NIV)