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.
Ginger K. ~ Shelby Twp., MI ~ Psalm 77:19 (LB) ~ “Your road led by a pathway through the sea – a pathway no one knew was there.”
Kim, Gaithersburg MD
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:16 NIV)
Lee Ann Kelley, Fairhope AL
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Proverbs 31:26 KJV
Pam says”But the path of the just is like the shining sun,that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18 NKJV
Ramona Gellick
Medina, Ohio
Proverbs 3:24 (ESV)
If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Terry, Odessa, FL
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’”, Deuteronomy 33:27, NIV
Barb Wisconsin. “And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.” Ps 91:6 ESV
Misty Weare, Alliance, NE
Psalm 119:76, ESV
Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my delight.
Irene, White Pigeon MI, My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalms 119: 50 NIV
2 Corp 5:17, NOV
Therefore if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation
The old has gone
The new has come.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Psalm 138:8 ESV
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. Rom 81-2. (ESV)
Karen Cosmano, Vista, CA.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalms 55:22 NIV
Patience Nason, Citrus Heights, CA
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
Hebrews 12:28 NIV
Denise, Gambier Ohio: For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak-willed women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses. 2Timothy 3:6 NASB
Deb from Aledo, IL
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 Joh 1:2 KJV
Michelle from Maine
Bangor, Maine
“Show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.” Jude 22 (NLT)
1 Peter 5:8
kathy white, Modesto, Ca
” I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them,
and give them gladness for sorrow. ” Jeremiah31:13
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (KJV)
Sandy Bowers, Bryan, Ohio
Now these three remain:faith, hope, and love.But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13. (NIV)
Kris Braun, Shakopee, MN
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
Isaiah 40:30 NIV
Karla K
Broomfield, CO
Jesus looked her in the eye. “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
John 11:40 MSG
Bonnie Mink Hendersonville, Tennessee. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. Psalms 89:1 KJV
Marie Franse, Albuquerque, NM: Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…
Titus 3:5 NIV
Susan
Tyler, TX
November 15, 2015 at 11:50 p.m.
“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.”
Psalm 119:89 (NASB)
Jones Creek,Texas
For I know the plans I have for you,
declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Santa Clarita, CA: “For I know the plans I have for you,declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jer 29:1,NIV
Lisa Griffin, Lincoln City, OR:
“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”
Micah 7:7 (ESV)
Lori Boone, Renton WA
Psalm 37:23-24 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. …
Adina
Pittsburgh PA
I hate them with extreme hatred; I consider them an enemy.
Psalm139:22 HCSB
You will keep him in perfect peace,Whose mind is stayed on You,Because he trusts in You. – Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
Tanya, Richland, WA
Ps 26:6
Remember O Lord your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Ps 25:6
Beth from Calgary AB Canada
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.”
1 Timothy 2:5-6 NIV
Desiree Reimer, Calgary, Alberta
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 1 John 4:13 ESV
Sally Bradford, Mayfield, KY Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances… 1Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV
Karen McCormick – Waco, Texas
“Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.”
Psalm 91:5 NLT
Gabriella Houston, Rocklin, CA
From where the sun rises, to where the sun sets, the name of the Lord should be praised. Psalms 113:3. Faith Girlz NIV
Wendy Houston, Rocklin CA
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16. NIV
Calida, Byron, GA – Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)
Anne Chen, Cerritos, CA “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11 NIV
Jennifer Henderson, Raleigh, NC
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121 (ESV)
Tshaka; Belgium; As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.”
Ruth 2:15-16 NIV
Amanda Dales, Rockhampton, Queensland
He will call upon Me, and I will answer him.
I will be with him in trouble
I will deliver him and honour him
With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation
Psalm 91:15-16 NIV
Kimyetta H.
Jonesboro, Ga
Psalm 51:5
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the moment my mother conceived me.
Nathalie Van Hoorebeke, Birmingham, UK
Psalm 27: 3 NLT:
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.
Jill , Clearwater, FL
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers , this should not be.
James 3:10 NIV
Kerri, Woodsboro, MD
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV