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.
Patti Knobbe from West Point, NE
“As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. This is why the world hates you.”
John 15:19 (NIV)
Tammy Cosby/Siloam NC……Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, my presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (NIV)
Pamela C. Guins, Taylorsville, NC
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
Connie Rose, Moss Bluff, LA
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Melissa Robertson, Sulphur, LA
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Cor. 13:7 NIV
Marie Skipper of Granger, TX says:
2 Corinthians 4:16
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. “
Amanda, Sherman, TX
Psalm 34:10 KJV
“The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.”
Carol Marshall
Gilbert, AZ
Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil: my cup overflows.
Jamie Raborn from Ooltewah, Tn
Ephesians 6:13 NLT
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Kimberly Barrett, Camden, Arkansas
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, failthful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Anne Roline, MOrristown, TN
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:18 NIV
Deborah Mott, Bradenton, Florida. 1 Corinthians 1:4 (KJV) 4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
Chaundel
Lake Forest, CA
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Psalm 107:21 NIV
Mildred from Montserrat.
Your deliverance brings him great honor; you give him majestic splendor. Psalm 21:5(NET)
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation. Psalm 91:16
Janice in Abbeville, AL
“Heal me O Lord, and I shall be healed, save me and I shall be saved. For You are my praise.”
Jeremiah 17:14 NKJV
Suzy Adams, Wheelersburg.oh -John 20:21 – Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.”
LaMonique’ J. Katy, TX “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Flint, Texas
And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
NKJV
Gahanna OH
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? Ps. 27:1 NIV
Keron, Boise, Idaho
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 ESV
Antoinette Krietemeijer, Hoofddorp, the Netherlands (Europe)
Wij allen die met onbedekt gezicht de luister van de Heer aanschouwen, zullen meer en meer door de Geest van de Heer naar de luister van dat beeld worden veranderd. 2 Korientiers 3:18 (NBV)
Rebecca- eagle point, OR.
Colossians 4:2 ” devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful.”
NIV
Betty, Austin, Texas I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. Psalm 139:22 NIV
Norman, Oklahoma
Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee:
and let such as love Thy salvation say continually,
“Let GOD be magnified!”
Psalm 70:4 (KJV)
Julie Brock, Myrtle, MS “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of The LORD in the land of the living. Wait for The LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for The LORD.” Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)
Leisa Hale, Sheridan, Indiana
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the Name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God The Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17 ESV
” for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12 NIV
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
…made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:5 NIV
Linda, Holts Summit, MO
Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Huge prayer answered! After 5 years my brother was found not guilty at his second trial last night!!
Sweet and wise young sister, how your words with heart felt tenderness and live has touched my sprit so much, literal tears streaming down my face and touched am I to be wowed by the strength it took to admit and write your insecurities and awesome story! I wasn’t raised in a church, lived in the streets for 2 years, battered Jesus pulled me from the pit of sorrow, worthless Jesus lifted me to him to sit and cry in his arms after losing three children and being told I’d never conceive, I now am the proud mother of 8 amazing children, free from addiction of all kinds he holds me accountable in the awe of love, with a tender heart of my own I have been called to reach all woman to show love of him who has and will shine through me daily in all his works through me. Your life will arise and you will have an amazing life child! Praise God!
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
“Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.”
1 Thessalonians 4:9 (NIV)
Rhonda – Houston
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Mark 1:35 NIV
Isiah 54:13 I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace. NLT
Karen Sanders, Burleson, TX. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5 NIV
Joy Thompson, Fort Worth, TX, – Hebrews 4:14. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ESV
Dena K from Columbus, OH:
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
I Peter 2:9 NKJV
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen, TX
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 ESV
Kathy – Albuquerque, NM
1 John 4:18-19 NASB
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.
Jennie Marie Knoll – Dewitt, Arkansas
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Kristie, Montgomery, TX: “It always protects,always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. ” 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 NIV
Layne Hall, Columbus MS: She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Jami Carey, Fishers, IN
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 91:17 NIV
Sarah from Pasadena, tX
Even there Your hand will guide me.
Your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:10 NIV
Kelli Hall ~ Sherwood, Oregon
“…. sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:10 (NIV)
Shannon Hoots, Greensboro, NC
“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” Psalm 103: 17-18
Amy, Myrtle Beach, SC. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;you shall cry for help, and He will say, Here I am. Isaiah 58:9a (NRSV)
Melisse, Slippery Rock, PA
1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.