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.
Shannon Pate
Little Rock, Arkansas
Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Rita – Alva, Florida
“When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”
John 15:8 – NLT
Kim Peterson from Vista, CA
James 2:20-24 NIV (part 2)
You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
Teresa, Orange City. 1 Peter 5:9 (NET) Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering.
Mary, Frisco TX Mark 10:27New International Version (NIV)
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) –
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Joan, Dousman, WI
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworty-think about such things.
Phil 4:8 NIV
To Amy, the Siesta blogger, ask God to remove your desires for unhealthy food and replace them with a mindset and desire to eat healthy food. Ask Him to direct you to likeminded people who can help you on this journey. Victory will come through Him.
Lori- Mountain View, WY
“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
Shannon Vasquez, Littleton, CO
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? ~Matthew 16:26, NLT
Lucille Goins, New Bloomfield Mo.
Colossians 3:17 NKJV
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Carrie Gill, Tyler, TX. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ” Phil. 2:3-4. NIV
Kelly Parker, Shreveport, La
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25. ESV
Danielle, Evansville IN
Romans 10:9 (NIV) That if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Muriel in Ontario James 1:26 NIV
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless
2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old is gone the new has come.
I have been a believer since I was 17 and I am 55. But I keep trying to forget this I am a new creation.
Rolanda Hairston Ft. Worth,TX
“God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” Ephesians 1:22 NLT
Vonda Schwarz,Bertrand, NE
“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58b
Mandi… Edmond, OK… “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him”. Psalm 62:5 NLT
Tammy, Dothan,Al. “You are my refuge and my shield,I have put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:114 NIV
Roseanne Tacoma, WA
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and
in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11 NKJV
Erica Maynard Quincy, Illinois “Be very careful about what you think. Your thoughts run your life.”
Proverbs 4:23 ICB
http://bible.com/1359/pro.4.23.icb
Starkville, MS “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ” Phillipians 4:7 NIV
Carol Peavy, Jena, LA
(6) “O, Lord, God of our Fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can withstand you.
(12) O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
II Chronicles 20:6, 12 NIV
Fran Thomas, Jackson, TN
“In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.””
Isaiah 25:9 NIV
http://bible.com/111/isa.25.9.niv
Veronica- Atlanta , Georgia
O my strength, I sing praise to you, you, O God are my fortress, my loving God. Psalms 59;17 (KJV)
Peggy Hale
Mauriceville, Texas
Matthew 22:38 New International Version (NIV)
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
Shannon, Mandeville.
Ps. 147:3 “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds”. TNIV
Paula Hale, Brownwood, Tx
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:27 ESV
Letha. Cullman, AL. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:4 ESV
Tracy Chapman
Andice, TX
Psalm 145:2 NASB
“Every day I will bless you,
and I will praise Your name
forever and ever.”
Donna Lange, Mobile, Alabama
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Colossians 1:15 KJV
Jacquie Engbrecht, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:5 ESV
Martha Leone
Plano, Tx
November 16,2015
Psalm 29:2
Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
Melody S.
Forest City, IA
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Romans 12:9 (ESV)
Jenni, Elk Grove, CA, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
Ruth Somers
Baton Rouge, LA
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. Psalms 31:20. NASB
Susan Brown. Mandeville, LA
1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” NIV
“This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT
Jamie – paramount, Ca
Shelly and Sienna Busby
Colorado Springs, CO
Nov 16, 2015
Forget the former things,do not dwell on the past.
Isaiah 43:28 NIV
Daniel 2:23 NIV
I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors; you have given me wisdom and power. You have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the King.
Tangila, Pearland TX
It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. Ecclesiastes 5:5 NLT
Patti McConville,
Salem OR
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; tthe Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
Kay – Deer Park, TX
Psalm 27:13 NIV
“I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
Donna, Houston, TX
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 ESV
Tyra – Atlanta, GA
And we have such trust through Christ toward God.
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves,
but our sufficiency is from God…
2 Corinthians 3:4-5
Sharon Mills
Henderson, Nv
Proverbs 31: 25 NLT
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Belen, San Juan Capistrano, Ca.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)
Carrie Lyons Homer Glen, IL
Psalm 119:105 NIV
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Cris, Virginia Beach VA
The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk as Jesus walked
1 John 2:6 NET
Brenda McGurk, Medina, Ohio
Look to the Lord and His strength; Seek His face always.
Psalm 105:4 NIV