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.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 cor 10 :13
Sandra, Springville, Al
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you!
Psalm 119:11 NLT
Bonnie O’Shields from Dacusville, SC
“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
James 1:23 HCSB
Allison Rains Benton, LA
“Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.”
~Psalm 37:7~
Paula, Maine
14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. (Colossians 2:14-15 NLT)
Becky, Woodway, TX,
“But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about
the wonderful things you do.” Psalm 73:28 NLT
Judy, Satellite Beach, FL
I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands.
Psalm 119:10 (NIV)
Linda Nelson – Shreveport, La
“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for He has all wisdom and power,. He controls the course of world events, he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.”
Daniel 2:20-21
Laura Sumpter-Salem, OR
2 Peter 3:14-15 ESV Since you are waiting for these,
be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish
and at peace and count the paitence of our Lord
as salvation…
Leslie – Cedar Grove, NC
“Make if your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.
Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.”
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NLT
Romans10:12 ” Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer ” NIV
Julie Fitch
Ann Arbor, MI
“Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it, the LORD is His name, 3 ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
Jeremiah 33:2-3 (NASB)
La Grande, Oregon
Psalm 39:7 NLT
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
Phil 4:8 NASB
“Finally brethren whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Kristel from Russellville
“Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD and not far away?” Jeremiah 23:23 ESV
Jayn, San Diego, CA
Love never dies. 1 Corinthians 13:8
translation MSG
Sherri Dudley, Albuquerque “Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back on the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.’ Gal 6:1 NLT
Kathryn, Oceanside, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Linda Gammon Blue Springs MO
Colossians 1:15 NKJV
15. He is the image of the invisible God,
The firstborn over all creation.
Linda Babbs, Linn Creek, MO “I have told you these things, so that in time you may have peace. I this world you will have trouble but take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Life Application
Kathy, Danvers MA
1 Peter 5:6 NIV
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.
Marlena Cantrell, Alabaster, AL
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:1-4 ESV
Linda, Bartelso, IL. For the LORD GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the the prophets. Amos3:7 ESV
Barbara Q, West Point, GA
Philippians 4:7 NIV And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Amy Storms
Joplin, MO
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev. 1:8, NIV
Melissa, Vicksburg, MS “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Kim in st.Charles il
Galatians 5:13
For brethren you have been called unto liberty only use not liberty for occasion to the flesh but by love serve one another
Kjv
Lynn Greene, Shelby, NC Luke 10:18 NIV
“He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven.”
Elizabeth Johnston
Dallas, Texas
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17 (ESV)
Kim B., Colfax, LA
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
And i said, This is my infirmity: but I WILL REMEMBER the years of the right hand of the Most High. Psalm 77:10 KJV
Billie, Franklin, TN
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
Rachel- Cumming, GA
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 (NIV)
Teresa, Chadron, NE
“It is written: “I believed, therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak.” 2 Corinthians 4:13 NIV
Karin
Medina, MN
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Revelation 4:11
Rachel huff mechanicsville VA NIV never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
Carla Kaney, Adel, Iowa “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 (NIV)
Debbie, Atascocita, TX
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…(NIV)
Linda Johnson, High Point, N.C.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 NIV
Nancy Rottschafer Holland, MI
You are Worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being. Revelations 4:11
He is before all things and by Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 NIV
Laura Stevens, El Paso, TX
Proverbs 13:4 NIV
The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
I enjoy your writing, Amy. It’s fresh and accessible, vulnerable and real. And your seemingly humble heart is quite captivating, too. Keep sharing your words. 🙂
Houston-ish, TX
James 5:11-12, ESV (Verses 21 and 22)
Behold we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3 NIV
I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies. ~ Psalm 139:22 NIV
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11 NIV
Diane in Lenexa, KS
Psalm 19:14 NIV
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
“Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.”
– James 2:2 (NIV)
Marcy T., Euless, TX
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
Ruth, Providence RI
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has wrought desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
he burns the chariots with fire!
Psalm 46:8,9 RSV