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.
Jo, Columbia, Missouri
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:8 NIV
Sharon West from Miller, MO
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare. Psalm 25:15.
Thank you for sharing Amy. You are a warrior and you are beautiful. You are strong, clothed in Christ’s strength.
Proverbs 12:5 [NKJV] – The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
Mary Thomas
Lexington, KY
(a day early, since the post is up and since I won’t be online tomorrow)
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” -2 Timothy 3:16
Cathy Pernsteiner Clarkston, WA
You are my hiding place, you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance….the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.
Psalm 32:7 & 10b
Carolyn Webb, Grand Prairie, Texas. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 NIV
“Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3 (NLT)
Anne, Simpsonville,
“But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 HCSB
Charlotte Skadal, Houston, Texas
“Those who love Your law have great peace,
And nothing causes them to stumble.”
Psalm 119:165 (NASB)
Laurel Montealegre White Pigeon, MI
“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.”
Psalm 139:5 ESV
Karen Stark
Tallahassee, FL
2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Jana, Altus, OK
Psalms 69:13, ESV
“But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.”
April Smith San Angelo, TX
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm 107:1 ESV
And make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but be healed.
Hebrews 12:13 NIV
Susie, Northville, MI
But the rich should take pride in their humiliation – since they will pass away like a wildflower.
James 1:10 NIV
Kay Tucker Elyria, OH
“Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no Savior beside me.” Hosea 18:4 KJV
Judy, Panama City, Fl
Colossians 2:8 (NASB)
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
Laura, Minneapolis, MN.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:3 ESV)
Christy, Cape Girardeau, MO. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:7-8 (NIV)
Amy – Thank you for your post.
“He will continue to give you strength until the end so that no one can accuse you of anything on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:8 GWT
The name of the LORD is a strong tower. Those who: do what is right can run to him for protection. Proverbs 18:10
Karen, Trenton, OH
II Timothy 1:7 HCSB
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
Martie Carter, Belton, TX
Be careful, or you hearts will be weighted down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may stand before the Son of Man.
Luke 21:34-36
Pam Mayer from Apple Valley, MN: “Rejoice always” 1Thessalonians 5:16
Joy Lunsford , Troy, AL
Philippians 1:3New Living Translation (NLT)
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.
Cindy-RichmondTx Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Coshocton,Ohio[NASB] Isaiah 40:31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strengh;They will mount up with wings like eagles,They will run and not get tired.They will walk and not become weary.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5: 8-10 NIV
Carol in Salem
Hebrews 10:23 NLT
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.
Susie, Harrisburg, PA
Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
~ Philippians 3:16 NIV
Julie Fawcett, Round Rock, Tx-
“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”
Jude 1:20-21 NIV
Jackie UK
Romans 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things,
God works for the good of those who love Him,
Who have been called according to His purpose.
Teri, Kalamazoo, MI
“and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:17
Lynda S. from Brockville, Ontario
” My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the trap.”
Psalm 25:15
Hebrews 12: 19-21 NIV
“to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.’ The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.”
Heather, Louisville, KY
“She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26 (NRSV)
Jackie Houser, Pikeville, NC: The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19 NIV. I am memorizing Psalm 103 and loving it!
Kay Martin
Tupelo, MS
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 NIV
Mary Ruth Franklin
Lanexa, VA
1 Chronicles 16:29-31 (NASB)
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him;
Worship the Lord in holy array.
Tremble before Him, all the earth;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
Deborah, Hartsville, SC “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said, Come, see the place where He was lying.” Matthew 28:6 NASB
Marilyn, Houston, TX: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever”.
Psalm 107-1 NIV
Lynn P., Fairview, OK — It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. ~2 Samuel 22:33 (NIV)
Lori Anthony, Pine River, MN
“May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD. ” Psalm 104:34 ESV
Erika, Monson MA
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.
Romans 8:11 NAS
DeAnne, Talmage, KS “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weary.” Isaiah 40:29 NIV
Sandra M. Arnold, Paris, Tennessee
“Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.”
Proverbs 31:25 (NASB)
Andrea, Milton FL, formerly Havelock, NC
“God, order a peaceful and whole life for us- because everything we’ve done, You’ve done for us.”
Is. 26:12 MSG
Sarah, St. Louis, MO
“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and all its fullness; let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the LORD. For He coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth.”
Psalm 96:11-13 NKJV (Finished memorizing all of Psalm 96!)
DeLand, Florida
Matthew 6:33 King James Version
But, seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.