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.
Amy, you are beautiful! Your brother helped you tear down some walls that many of us have experienced! You are blessed to have your brother! You are a WARRIOR so go forth and teach the word of God! Bless you! “His GRACE will sustain you!”
Eph. 2:22
And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling place in which God lives by His Spirit. ESV
260 E. 49th Ave.
Eugene, OR
“Adulters and adultresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
NKJV James 4:4
Michelle, Warner Robins, GA
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Susan, Wynne
Psalm 4:8 (ESV)
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Kenora, Ontario. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Carolyn Dover, Ohio
“My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear it and rejoice.”
NASB
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Linda Lorring, Reno,NV
For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned from idols to serve the living and true God, I Thessalonians 1:9 (ESV)
Lori, Pueblo West CO – “The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” ~ Matthew 12:37 NLT
Amy – great post! I also struggle with insecurities to a paralyzing degree. Limiting myself in this glorious life God has given me. I just wanted to encourage you in your post. Thank you for your transparency, vulnerability, and honesty. Your brother’s advice was spot on and I pray you fight through your insecurities like the true warrior you are! I am challenging myself to do the same. Continue serving the Lord through your blogging – you are a gifted writer!
Many blessings!
Janet from Odessa, TX
” and the living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
Revelation 1:18 ESV
Amy, you have a wonderful brother! Treasure him… so that when the day comes and your best friend goes to God, you will have many wonderful memories to carry you. (I miss my brother so much).
Kimberly Kleimann, Chico CA
The Lord is merciful and gracious slow to anger, and plenty ousted in mercy.
Psalm 103:8 KJV
Maureen, Pascoag, RI
So faith comes from what is heard, and
what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17
NRSV
Tisha
Pilot Mtn, NC
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
I Corinithians 13:13 NIV
Psalm 27:13-14 AMP
13 [What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!
Carolyn, Orofino, Idaho
Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13 NIV (This is a continuation of memorizing the whole passage about putting on the armor of God. The Voice Bible and ESV are good versions to compare.)
MarlaMae, Kimmell, IN
You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are–no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. ~Matthew 5:5 (msg)
Tonya, Searcy, AR
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong! Be courageous! Do not be afraid of them! For the Lord your God will be with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you.”
(TLB)
Andrea Cox, Howe, TX
2 Corinthians 4:15 NIV
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
marthamartha says:
Isaiah 43:19 ESV
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
martha loyd
houston, tx
Thank you Amy for the reminder. I pray you keep eyes on our precious Abba and not lose heart or sight.
Sue from Midland says
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20 ESV
Sue from Midland says:
Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
Romans 12:2 NLT
Sue from Midland says:
Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2
Sue from Midland says:
Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Romans 8:5
Sue from Midland says:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
II Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Danyelle
Beavercreek, OH
For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
Deuteronomy 30:16 (NIV)
Laurie O, Atlanta, GA
Therefore, let no one pass judgment on you in questions to food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. Colossians 2:16, ESV
Dori Wooldridge Indiana
1 Peter 4:9-10 NIV
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others faithfully administering Gods grace in its various forms.”
Denise Wilkin
The Woodlands, Texas
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4
Jeanette Dahm. Lake Oswego,OR. 1phil 4:6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything , by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving , present your requests to God. NIV
Carolyn Medlin Oceanside Ca
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving
Psalm 69:39 NIV
Sherry from Perry, Georgia
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 2:7,11,17,29;3:6,13,22 (ESV)
Lisa from Rootstown, OH. Psalm 139:5 NIV. You hem me in behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me.
I love your heart! Thank you for the vulnerability that you expressed and yet the strength that you also shared was so encouraging!
Barbara from WI
22. With fierce hatred I hate them,
enemies I count as my own.
Psalm:139:22. NAB
Brenda Russell
Hendersonville TN
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8 NIV
Brenda K. Orlow, Jordan, MN
Proverbs 31:25 NLT “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Jeannine Anderson, Pelican Rapids, MN
All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16 ESV
Melissa; Little Rock AFB, “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
Julie, Alta Loma
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
(Proverbs 31:25 NLT)
Kim Joyner; Poplar Bluff, MO. “You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth.” Psalm 119:151 (NASB)
Beautiful message Siesta! I know you will be victorious!
Barbara Bollman
West Fargo, ND
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1.27 NIV
Nance, Newmarket, ON Canada
“It flowed down the centre of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.”
Rev. 22:2
NLT
Val, Aldergrove, BC Canada
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13 NIV
Berni, Albuquerque, NM
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17 NIV
Mary Beth – Hudsonville, MI
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV