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.
Leah Kuor, Salem, OR
Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Kristen Fowler, Marble, NC
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere.
James 3:17 ESV
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17
Leslie Warnick
Oakland MD
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
translation is ESV
Teresa, Walla Walla, James 1:5 NLT “If you need wisdom–if you want to know what God wants you to do–ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.”
Ezekiel 34:11-12
For this is what the sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.
Sandy Hartley, Clatskanie OR
Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. JUB
Julie Ratcliff,”“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 NIV
Diane, Wichita, KS
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.Ephesians 4:29
Kayley Hibbert — Quincy, IL
We have all these great people us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. Hebrews 12:1 ERV
great people AROUND us**
Delores Perley, El Cajon, CA
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6 (NLT)
Kathy, Bryant AR:
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
Psalm 18:17. NIV
Christina Fort Worth
3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3 HCSB)
Vonnie Baker
Marble Hill MO
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 KJV
Kelly Snodgrass
Rogersville, TN
Ephesians 6:16 ESV
In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Brigette Brock
Morehead, Ky
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the gory that will be revealed in U.S.
Romans 8:18
NIV
Shannon, Columbia, SC
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”
-Psalm 150:6 (NIV)
Denise Ciofani. Lexington, NC. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,” Philippians 2:9 NIV
Andrea, Pottstown
Isaiah 64:4 NLT
For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!
Jen – Albany, OR
I said, “Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you.” -Hosea 10:12 NLT
Karlys, La Place, LA
Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing The LORD.
Colossians 3: 22 ESV
Joy -Georgetown, TX – 2 Peter 1:9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. NIV
Elsie – Scottsbluff NE
Isa 45:5 ESV
I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know Me
Brenda
Lindon, Utah
EPHESIANS 5:20
Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lynn, Lake Villa, IL
Ephesians 2:22 NLT
Through Him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by His Spirit.
Janet, Holmes Beach, FL
If you make the Most High your dwelling –
even the LORD, who is my refuge –
then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come ear your tent.
Psalm 91:9,10 NIV
Michelle V, Hewitt, TX
He planned all of this so that we who had already focused our hope on Christ would praise him and give him glory.
Ephesians 1:12 GW
Heather, Hempstead, TX
Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
– Isaiah 33:2 (NIV)
Cheryl in Fairhope, AL – “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” Psalm 37:23 NLT
Becky Douglas, Houston, TX
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Leah Eller, San Antonio, TX – “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 ESV
Regina Coleman, Salado, TX
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Luke 6:38 (NIV)
Psalm 139:23-24(HCSB)
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me;
lead me in the everlasting way.
Cara from Houston, Texas
Romans 11:20 (Mounce)
That s true. They were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be proud, but stand in awe.
Cara, Oswego, IL. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:8
Robin, Knoxville
Ps 94:18 NIV
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.”
christina moore, Plano, Texas~
“To whom then will you liken God,
or what likeness compare with Him?”
Isaiah 40:18, ESV
Sheri, Georgetown, TX
But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. Psalm 86:15 (NASB)
Susan Canham, Bismarck ND
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.
-Romans 12:2 NIV
Robin, Leo, IN “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” James 4:4 NIV
Allison Crook
Albuquerque, NM
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1 (NASB)
Deborah Flora Sawyer, KS
The Lord said to him, Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
Exodus 4:11 NIV
Ann, DC
Romans 12:19, NRSV
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Romans 12 is good reading for all at this time.
Jules Lane
Foothills of the Rocky Mtns, CO
Almost done with Psalm 103…
“Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.” ~Psalm 103:21
Ooops – that’s KJV 🙂
Do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgement and discretion. Proverbs 3:21b
Laura in Bedford, TX
My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Isaiah 32:18 (NIV)
Kristinia, Metairie. LA
When you pass through waters, I will be with you and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you, when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flames shall not consume you.
Isaiah 43:2
Kari Turner
Charlottesville, VA
“always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:20 NIV
Shauna K., River Falls, WI.
Luke 6:31 (NIV): “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”