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.
Marrie Gardner Cullman, AL
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
ESV
Cris – New Lenox, IL
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
Tammy, Deer Park, WA
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. Hebrews 10:35
Kathy Walden, Knightstown, IN
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Is 9:2 NIV
“From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalms 61:2 NKJV
D’Anna Nowack
New Braunfels, Tx.
Matthew 21:21 NIV
21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Shelley, Brigham City, Utah
Matthew 21:22 ESV
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
Martha Blacklock
Lubbock, TX 79424
Psalm 118:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His faithful love endures forever.”
HCSB
Cher Goeder, Toledo, Ohio
Psalm 69:30 NIV
“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving.”
Missie Ables, Marble Falls Tx
“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
I Peter 2:16 NIV
Diana
Wooster, Ohio
Dawn, Pottsville, AR-One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. Luke 17:15 (NIV)
Susan Thomson, Crockett, TX
John 14:27 ESV
“Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be
afraid.”
Shelley from San Angelo
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name;
you are Mine.
Isaiah 43:1b NIV
Plano, TX
Psalm 19:7-8
“The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.”
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6: 33
Moreen, Sydney Australia
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. (Proverbs 31:25 ESV)
Forest, VA
“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit, Who is on you, and My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever,” says the LORD.
–Isaiah 59:21
Diane, Nowata, OK
1Chronicles 16:8 NIV
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.”
Cheryl Conklin, Roswell, NM
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, NASB)
Naomim ~ Colorado Springs: “There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor” Deuteronomy 33:26 NLT
From Cornelius, NC…. Psalm 141:3,4 ( NIV)…. ” Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Ps 100:4 NIV
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ( 1Peter1:6-7)
Cathy Morris Sedona, AZ
“Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'”
John 14:23 NIV
Vikki Stemler, Jeffersonville, IN
“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.”
Exodus 34:21 NIV
Amy
Buda, Texas
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Tonya, Searcy, AR
God, hear my cry; listen to my prayer.
Psalm 61:1 NCV
Deonne Collins Hallsville, TX – “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow and the Lord God will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17 NIV
Mindy Habelt, Williamson, Georgia
James 1:4 (NIV)
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Dawn
Mt. Olive, NC
Jeremiah 29.11 ESV
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and nor for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Beth Bellow, Houston, NIV
He tends his flock like a shepherd.
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart.
He gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11
Carolyn Webb, Grand Prairie, Texas. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Romans 8:7 NIV
Izora Browning Nov. 30 2015. Midland Texas
But when he saw Jesus afar off,he ran and worshiped him. Mark 5:6. NIV
Carla van Hemmen, Ede , the Netherlands,: daarom maken we iedere gedachte krijgsgevangene om haar aan Christus te onderwerpen. 2 Korintiens 10:5
Nitsa, Eugene, OR.
On Nov. 11, I lost my beloved husband. This is the verse he would want for me.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
I just wanted to say I am so sorry for your loss. You have chosen a beautiful verse to honor him and Jesus. May God bless you with peace and joy and comfort through this season . Patty Pierce
Stacy, Ruston, LA
“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.”
Hebrews 4:15 NLT
Rhonda
gilmer
Ephesians 2:1 (NKJV)
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
Wendy Bashor – Lone Butte, BC: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV
on my computer the blog has not been updated since 11-13-15, just checking to be sure its not my computer.
Lesley, Oceanside, CA
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12: 9, ESV
Psalm 105:2-3 NKJV
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
Milan, MI
Rita Ford, The Woodlands, Texas. “Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations He has brought on the earth.” Psalm 46:8 NIV
Dawn Deare Lafayette, LA
Psalm 119:44 ESV
I will keep your law continually forever & ever
Emily Bowden, augusta, GA
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 ESV
Wanda Young
Osborn, Missouri
In His goodness He chose to make us His own children
by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation
became His choice possession.
James 1:18 (NLT)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1, NASB
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
Patti
Brentwood TN
Romans 6:22 ESV
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
Kristen Schwark
Indpls, IN
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”
Luke 1:46-47 NIV