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.
Brentwood, TN
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better.
Ephesians 1:17
Stephanie Marchbanks from Ennis, TX.
I have learned Isaiah 53 this year, and now am moving on to Isaiah 52: 13-15, which some believe goes with it. This time, verse 15 (ESV):
15 so shall he sprinkle many nations;
kings shall shut their mouths because of him;
for that which has not been told them they see,
and that which they have not heard they understand.
Connie, Chariton, Iowa Psalm 25:4 ESV Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Psalm 25;4
Susan Jasper, TN
James 1:2 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Ashley
Alexandria, La
“The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Psalms 37:23
San Jose, CA Lamentations 3:23 ESV ‘they are new eveery morning; great is Your faithfulness.’
Salem, VA
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1 ESV
Sandy E.; Kansas City, Missouri; ” The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
Michelle K, New Baltimore, MI…
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13
Beth Hurst, Ypsilanti, MI
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 NIV
Angie Wilt, Kansas City, Missouri. Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT
Phyllis
Gilmer, Texas
NIV Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Tina Shelton – Richmond, TX
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV
Susannah Hotchkiss from Cypress, TX
Col 1:15-17 NASB
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Stacie Kilgore, Lee’s Summit
Romans 6:6-7
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. (KJV)
Diane Hotchkiss from Cypress, TX
Hebrews 6:19 NIV
19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Linda W. from Tomball, TX
“Let Your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in You.” Psalm 33:22
Colleen Duebber. Cincinnati, Ohio.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NIV.
Ephesians 3:17-19
“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” ESV
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
“Thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
Joshua 1:18
Above all, be strong.
Karen Coppley Clemmons NC
Romans 8:1-2
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, For the law of the Spirit of Life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Elizabeth Hughes, Berrien springs, MI, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm119:105ESV).
Janet, Midlothian, Texas
Therefore, the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who long for him.
Isaiah 30:18 NASB
Debra, Baraboo, WI
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 ESV
Traphill, NC. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our LORD. Romans 8:38-39 KJV
Brandi Hunter. Memphis, TN.
Rejoice always;
1 Thessalonians 5:16 NASB
Phoebe Cunningham, Tucson, AZ
“In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,” Ephesians 1:5 ESV
Bobbie Jo
San Angelo TX
“He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak.”
Isaiah 40:29 NCV
When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Daniel 6:10 ESV
Anna from Indiana
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:29 (NIV)
Michelle Moultrie, Birmingham AL, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Bonnie, Alexandria, LA
“The work of righteousness of shall be peace,
and the effect of righteousness,
quietness and assurance forever.”
Isaiah 32:17 MEV
“Praise the LORD, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the LORD.”
Psalms 103:22 NLT
Mary McKinley Scottsboro, AL
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10 KJV
making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16 NIV
Sierra. Fort Thomas, KY. “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Luke 12:32 KJV
Marsha Middleton Lees Summit, MO
in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, Ephesians 2:21 NKJV
Sonia Kibe, Morrilton, Arkansas
“Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.’ ” Isaiah 36:4 NLT
Joy West Monroe, LA
“and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes with the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:15-16 NIV
Jenny
Covington, KY
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Sacramento,CA
Finally, be strong in the Lord
and in his mighty power .
Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Pati, Macomb,MI
Hebrews 13:16 (NASB)
And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Vicksburg, MS
O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
Isaiah 33:2
NIV
Becca, Monterey CA.
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” ~ 1 John 3:18 NIV
Karen, Sturgis, MI. “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17 NIV
You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him and you rejoice with an inexpressible joy. 1Peter 1:8 NLT
emi, white house,tn: “If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” Isaiah 58:9b-10
Jenny Fridge
Richmond, TX
“Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jer. 33:3 NASB
Jamie McClary, Columbus, OH
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NLT