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.
Fay, Springfield, MO
Ephesians 6:16-17 NIV
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Susan Peaslee, Somerville Maine “Put on the whole armour
of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,” Ephesians 6:11 KJV
Really enjoyed your post Amy!
Robin Wickman, Merriman, NE – “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT
Sheree Campbell, Phoenix, AZ
“To answer before listening, that is folly and shame” Proverbs 18:13 NIV
Elizabeth Marchman
Blue Ridge, GA
And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 2 Peter 3:15-17 esv
Susan, Norfolk, VA. You see that his faith and his actions are working together, and his faith was made by what he did. James 2:22
Judy Pauley, Norfolk, Va.
Isaiah 37:16
O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made the heaven and the earth.
Caroline B, Yukon, OK “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully; even as I am fully known.” I Corth. 13:12 (BBNT)
…the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11 (NIV)
Patti, Tampa, Florida:
I pray to God – my life is a prayer – and wait for what He’ll say and do. My life’s on the line before God my Lord, waiting and watching till morning, waiting and watching till morning.
Psalm 30:5-6 (MSG)
Jill Greer, Medina, TN
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:6 NIV
Kathi Crowder from Yorktown, Virginia: “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust,'” Psalm 91:2
Jenni, Murray, KY
“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”
Proverbs 27:19 NIV
Psalm 30:2 “Lord my God, i called to you for help, and you healed me.” NIV
Carla, San Antonio, TX
“Look, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for me?” Jeremiah 32:27, HCSB
Kristetta Miller, Pineville, LA 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 NIV84
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Romans 12:17 NIV
Fort Madison, Iowa
“Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come.
Proverbs 31:25
Tina Crouch
Waxahachie, Texad
Matthew 10:32 NIV
Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
Dana
Clarksville, TN
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things, and give me life in your ways.”
Psalm 119:37 ESV
Beverly Reeder, Columbus,Ms.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed . Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Emily- Warsaw, IN
“His glorious power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything, and you will be truly happy.”
Colossians 1:11 CEV
Dana Roberts, McKinney TX
Ask and it will be given to you: seek and you will find: knock & the door will be opened to you.
Matt. 7:7 NIV
Kimberley, Greensboro, NC. “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.”
Psalms 73:28 NKJV
Amy,
Thank you so much for sharing and please tell your brother that his words made a difference in another person’s life as well! I really needed to hear your testimony, your words, and his words. Thank you and God bless you!!
Jennifer, Tomball, TX “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Gal 6:7
Sara Wheeler, Alexandria, AL
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
Psalm 145:19
ESV
Terri, Orange TX
“Again Jesus said to them, saying “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 ESV
Amy from Everett, WA
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
Janet, Sylacauga, AL
“Do not remember the sins of my youth or my acts of rebellion; in keeping with Your faithful love, remember me because of Your goodness, Lord.”
Psalms 25:7 HCSB
Barb from Neskowin, Or.
Zeph. 3:17
The Lord your God, is in your midst, a Mighty One who will save. He will rejoice over you with delight, He will rest you in His love, He will be joyful over you with singing.
A friend put this scripture on a card and put it in a tin of tea she gave me for a gift.
“The Lord will watch your coming and goings both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 121:8
NIV
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Psalm 37:23 NLT
Linda, Ft. Collins, CO
Linda Hammett from Wake Forest, N.C. says:
“The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, Keeping watch on the wicked and the good.”
(Proverbs 15:3, NIV)
Sherron Watkins, Houston, TX
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV
Candice from Wallingford, PA
“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
Lisa, Huntsville, AL:
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer every one. — Col. 4:5-6, NIV84
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
And she laughs without fear of the future.
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.
Psalm 86:12 NIV
Carol Bowen, Highlands, NC
Jeremiah 10: 6 ESV
“There is no one like You, O Lord, You are great and Your Name is great in might.”
Psalms 119:10-11 NLT
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Julie Medway Port Macquarie NSW Australia
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28 NIV
Courtney, Lima, Ohio. “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 (NLT)
Kari Hawkins, Canton, Ga
“Whoever loves money never has money enough;
Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
this too is meaningless. ” Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV
Dee Dee Fernandina Beach, Florida
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. 2 Corintians 5:9 ESV
Psalms 19:8 NLT The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.
James 2:23 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. James 2:23
(Old NIV) Repeating this verse because I’m not solid on it yet (end of last SSSMT segment), nearly to the end of the second chapter—woot! Jennifer Mosher, Canfield, OH
Liji Oommen
Columbus, OH
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.” – Philippians 1:9, NIV
Beverly from Huntsville AL. For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, 2 Cor 10:3 #ssmt2015