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.
Angela from Nebraska – “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 NIV84
Annette Baal, Stouffville ON Canada
Jude 22
And on some have compassion, making a distinction;
NKJV
Nancy Coffey
Barboursville WV
“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV
Pam Worcester, Glen Elder, Kansas
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
Elgin, Ill.
“Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
John 16:24b NIV
Cheryl – Houston, TX
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Ps. 34:1 (NAS)
Tanya from Lorton, VA,
Micah 6:8 (NIV)
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what
does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly
with your God.
Ally, Houston, TX.
“Indeed, if you keep the royal law prescribed in the scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. But if you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of breaking it all. For He who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. So if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you are a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of freedom. For judgment is without mercy to the one who hasn’t shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
James 2:8-13 HCSB
Karen Bell
Hendersonville, TN
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:114 NIV
Midlothian Tx 76065
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23 NIV
Emily McAnear, Houston TX
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming to the world.”
John 1:9, NIV
Jan Horne
Bossier City, LA
Psalm 46:1 NIV
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 NIV
Susan Turner, Shelby, North Carolina
“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.””
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
Luke 15:4New King James Version (NKJV)
4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
Traci McNally, Evansdale, Iowa
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:14-15 NIV
Vicki, Merriam, KS
Psalm 103:17-18
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments. ESV
Tracey Boynton Kingsburg CA
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Deena, Colleyville, TX
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:30-31 ESV
Ephesians 4:31 ESV
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you,along with all malice.
Donna ,Oklahoma City, Ok
1 Peter 5:6-8 CEB
Therefore, humble yourselves under God’s power so that He may raise you up in the last day. throw all your anxiety onto Him because He cares about you. Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
He is my defender; I will not be defeated.
Psalm 62:6
The ways of God are without fault.
Psalm 18:30
Mark 5:36 (NIV)
Overhearing what they said, Jesus said to Jarius,
“Don’t be afraid, just believe.”
The ways of God are without fault. Ps. 18:30 NIV
Leslie G-Warner Robins, GA
Acts 2:46 NIV
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
Anita, Miami, FL
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
Paula, OKC,OK: “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:18 NIV
Franklin, TN
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2 NIV
Rebecca M., Clifton, NJ. “Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.” Psalm 16:9, ESV.
Michelle, Alberta, Canada
“And that you may love The Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.”
Deuteronomy 30:20
Ronda from Tennessee
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Sharon Crow, Winchester, VA
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.”
Psalm 62:5 (ESV)
Carol Givens McAlisterville, PA
So he said to me, “this is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.
Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)
Sandy – Dodge City, KS
He has shown all you people what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6;8 (TNIV)
Nikki Gack, Park Rapids, MN
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 KJV
Carol Lawrence, Poplar Bluff, MO
Jude verse 22 ESV
And have mercy on those who doubt
Carolyn O., Cypress, TX
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
“For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.” – Psalm 149:4 NIV
Diane, Harker Heights, TX: “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:1-2
Norma Jean, Medford Oregon
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephes. 4:32 NKJV
Sarah Winslow Franklin, TN
Isaiah 9:7a – Of the greatness of His Government and Pease there will be no end.
Karen
Souderton, PA
Ephesians 1:3 NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Chris, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Carla, Pierre, SD
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Molly P., Portland, OR “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.” Revelation 1:7 NIV
Janine – Corona, CA
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. GOD is spirit, and His worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:23-24 (NIV)
Amy Gettysburg, PA
“For the Lord is good, and his love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations”. Psalms 100:5 ASV
Liz Scherer
Fort Worth, TX
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:19 NIV
Angie Hill, Jasper, Alabama
“The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.” Proverbs 10:28 NIV
Giovana Cavarretta, Boca Raton, FL
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Psalm 32:8 NIV
Elaine ~ Powder Springs, GA ~The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. Psalm 34:22