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.
Linda, Kalamazoo, MI
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
~ Psalm 145:13
Vicki H. Knott, Greenwood, SC
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)
Gretchen, Gahanna, Ohio– Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist them, standing firm in the faith because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5: 8-9 NIV
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Cindy Cannon, Brighton, IL
Be patient, then brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. James 5:7 (NIV)
Ann from Odessa, FL
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
Brandi Mincey, Hope Mills, NC
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
1 John 4:4
(NLT)
Kristin Kellett, Tulsa, OK. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
Regina Orr, Floydada, Texas
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. Instead, we have One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet He never sinned. So let us keep on coming boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”~ Hebrews 4:15-16 ISV
Denise Korsmo Amarillo, TX “Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.” Psalms 66:14 KJV
Debbie, Fort Thomas, KY
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
Cara Reyes
Dickinson Texas
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.”
Jeremiah 29:11 ASV
Ashley G.
Royal Oak, MI
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB
Kelsey Chance, Shawnee, KS
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.”
James 3:17 NET
“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:3 (NIV)
Tara- Rockwall, Texas
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25
JulieB
Sharpsburg, Ga.
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” Ephesians 6:19 NIV
So then niether the one who plants or the one who waters is anything, but God that causes growth. 1 Corinthians 3:7
Kristi B.
Houston, Tx
“Shout for joy to the LORD all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:1-2
Catherine Lesley, Waterdown, Ontario
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 (TNIV)
Susan Chung, Long Island, NY
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14
Tonya in Apex, NC
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or clanging symbol.
1 Corinthians 13:1 (NASB)
Diane, Hemet, CA
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 NIV
Sheila Johnson, Beckley, WV
The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
“Create in me a new heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
College Station, Texas
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
Krista Fehr, Chickamauga, GA
Psalm 103:11-12 ESV
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west,so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Phoenix, AZ. Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the Shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1. NIV
Scarlett N., Savannah,GA:
“Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)
Linda Wright, Sugar Land, Texas
“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV)
Kim S., Ridgeland, MS —
“If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
Proverbs 3:24 (ESV)
Charlotte, NC
“Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist hime and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 HCSB
Trinna, Bossier City, LA, “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 (ESV)
Cambridge, mn
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV
Kathy
Woodstock, GA
Psalm 19:14 NKJV
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
Diane from Chesapeake, Va
John 16:33 (NLT)
” I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Missy S, Charlotte, NC
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (ESV)
Cara Gabrielse, Parker, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7, NLT
Pattie Jager, Holland, MI
Psalm 119:143 (NLT)
As pressure and stress bear down on me,
I find joy in your commands.
Jenny Manis, Granbury, TX, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7 NKJV
I sought the LORD and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 NASB
“For surely, O Lord, You bless the righteous;
You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.”
-Psalm 5:12 (NIV)
Downtown Tonya Brown from Watauga, Texas:
“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”
Jeremiah 17:14 NIV
My daughter has unexplained seizures and had another one this morning. Would welcome any sort of prayer for healing for Taylor. She is about to be 16. Thank you and God bless.
Amalia Smith
Lumberton Tx
1 Thessalonians 4:12. N.I.V.
So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Hailey Boone, Wilmington, NC. The sower sows the word. Mark 4:14 (NASB).
Cindi Latson, Madison, MS
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Isaiah 61:1-2a (ESV)
Roswell, GA
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Ephesians 6:15-16 NKJV
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Paulette P. Mays
Elmer, La
Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
Tori D. Mays
Elmer, La
Margie Snyder, Groveland FL
Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Connie Johnson, Pittsboro, NC
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,Psalm 103:4 (NIV)