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.
Holly, Cape May
“They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.” Psalm 107:30 (NIV)
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100 (NIV)
Shantha, Lincoln, RI
Ruth
Belleville, IL
“4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant.”
2 Corinthians 3:4-6a NASB
Laura Proctor, Madison, MS:
I Peter 5:8 NIV
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Katie Davila, Tomball, TX:
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40 (ESV)
* I can’t remember if I posted this on the 15th or not. 🙁 *
Claire in Boone, NC
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Heather Wilkinson
Springfield, VA
IS 9:6 (NKJ)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Debra, Zachary, LA
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31 ESV
Lorraine Johnson
Ketchikan Alaska
“that they may all be one, even as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me.” John 17:21 NASB
Jaclyn, Houston. “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 adn have their being.” Revelation 4:11 (NIV)
Sheila Oakes
Cary, NC
2 Thess. 3:3 NLT
But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
Maureen Chabot, St. Clair Shores, MI. “It’s the child He loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.” (Proverbs 3:12 The Message)
Jen from Round Rock, TX
Romans 12:18 NIV
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Ada, MI
Psalm 100: 4-5
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with Praise; give thanks to Him and Praise His name. For the LORD is good and His Love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Bobbie, Radium Springs, NM
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
Hebrews 2:1 NKJV
Jennifer Haglund; Story City, IA
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
ny name is Barbara from Malakoff tx
2 thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, he will protect you from the evil one..
Joyce kortze from Rockford IL
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
Davina Denny Novato, CA. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God and I will praise him, my father’s God and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2 NIV
Nancilea, The Woodlands, TX
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
and weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance?
(Isaiah 40:12 ESV)
Psalm 65:1 ESV
“You crown the year with bounty; Your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.”
Holly Smith
College Station, TX
Shauna, Aurora, NE
“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
Jeremiah 31:25, NIV
Julie Lee, Calgary AB (Canada)
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, “What’s next, Papa?”
Romans 8:15 (MSG)
Amen, Julie.
I have been quoting the King James version of this scripture for a week or more for strength. It has so much meaning for me during this season as I teach my students. Thank you for the revelation and balance that this Message verse you posted brings to my spirit. I am also memorizing it. God bless you!
Susan Toney
Raymond, MS
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11
Joelle, Abilene, TX
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 1:7
Imelda, Toledo, OH
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, “What’s next, Papa?”
Romans 8:15 (MSG)
Brielle Joy
Waconia, MN
2 Corinthians 10:5
5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ
Emma Mierta Davison, MI Even the youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV
“1-Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2-Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3-They also do no iniquities: they walk in his ways. 4-Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.”
Psalm 119:1-4 (KJV)
Kari Ellis, Bloomington, MN: “And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'” Romans 10:15 NRSV
Sandra Larranaga Bowe San Jon NM
Psalm 95:7 NKJV
For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.
Vicki Bolton– Lubbock, TX
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 118:1
HCSB
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Melissa Stevens, Kingwood TX
Jodi, Sweetwater, TN – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 NIV
Emily, Bothell WA
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Nancy, Junction City, AR.
“Trust in God at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8 NKJ
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
2 Cor 4:16 NIV
Sue-Iron Mountain, MI
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.
Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Kimberly T., Montgomery, AL
“I will praise God’s name in song an glorify him with Thanksgiving.”
Psalm 69:30 (NIV)
Jamie, Dallas, TX. Women received their dead raised to life again. Hebrews 11:35a NKJV
Galatians 6:3 (NIV)
3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.
Amy Villa, Auburn, WA “I know that you can do all things. No purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2 ESV
NIV Romans 8:28-29
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
James 2:5 (NIV) – Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
Julie Wagner Nederland,TX
“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
Autumn, Glasgow, KY
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)
Amy, Murfreesboro, TN
Genesis 28:15, ESV
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
Beaumont, Texas
How precious is your love, O God!
We take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:8 NAB
Lora Leftwich Indian Land, SC
Proverbs 24:3-6 (ESV)
3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
Debbie Levin
Cannon Falls MN
“There was always enough flour and olive oil in the container, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.” 1 Kings 17:16 NLT