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.
Shelley
Tennessee
Every good and perfect gift is from above.
James 1:17
Rachel, Vancouver, WA. “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.” James 1:16 (NIV)
kathy white Modesto , Ca
” My faithful Father, whether I turn to the right or the left, cause my ears to hear a voice behind me saying ” This is the way, walk in it…” Isaiah 30:21
Boy, I needed this today!!!! Thank you!!
Cynthia, Russellville, AR
“Great is our Lord, and abundant in power, His understanding is beyond measure.”
Psalm 147:5 ESV
Becky, Roswell, GA
“Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
II Corinthians 9:6, NIV
Nesha Vest – Mechanicsville, VA
‘Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power performed great wonders and signs among the people.’
Act 6:8 NIV
Carolyn Deevers, Dardenne Prairie, Missouri
Let us not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
krystal ward
dallas, tx
peace i leave with you; my peace i give you. i do not give to you as the world gives. do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
john 14:27 NIV
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
Romans 8: 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Stephanie, Paris, TX. “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25, NLT.
Cindy S Walker, Clear Lake area of Houston, TX
“and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
Ephesians 6:15
Pam; Campbellsburg In. 2nd Timothy You therefore my son be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus… NKJV NSFL
Sharon, Barrington
“Surely the Lord is in this place..” Genesis 28:16 Niv
Susan Toney
Raymond, MS
Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14
Anita- Justin, TX
Nehemiah 9:6
Thou alone art the Lord. Thou hast made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their hosts, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. Thou dost give life to all of them and the heavenly host bows down before Thee.
Nehemiah 9:6
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Psalm 23:6(KJV)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Port Lions, Alaska
Finally be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power.(Ephesians 6:10)
Coshocton,Ohio[NKJV] Matthew 2:2 Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.
Roanoke, TX
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Matthew 5:9 NIV
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NAS)
Christy, Conifer, Colorado
May our LORD Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16 NIV1984
Morgan Roberts
Brandon, MS
“Let them sit alone in silence beneath the LORD’s demands.” Lamentations 3:28 NLT
Anna, Little Elm, TX
…to the glorious praise of His grace with which He favored us through the One He loves!
Ephesians 1:6 (TLV)
Sheri New Atlanta, TX
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jerimiah 29:11 NKJV
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
Psalm 119:13
With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.
Paula, Maine
“So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose. ” Romans 8:28
I don’t know what I would have done without these scriptures this year. They are the vessel for God’s voice and strength ton pour into my life.
Courtney, Lima, Ohio. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
1 Peter 3:9 NIV
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Natalie Ely
Cumberland Gap, TN
1 Thessalonians 1:5 KJV
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
Beverly Ely
Cumberland Gap, TN
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding
Sarah, Lincoln, NE, “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.” (James 2:23 NIV)
John 1:14 NLT
So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have see His glory, the glory of the Fathers one and only Son.
Clearwater, FL
Ssee, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the people’s but the Lord
Rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
Isaiah 60:2 NIV
Tasha J., Edmond, OK
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
(2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV)
Nancy Redkey, IN
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5. NIV
On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
-Joshua 10:12 (NIV)
Claire Veronie, Bryan, TX
“No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:4 NASB
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.” 2 Timothy 2:20 NKJV
Dr. Wilma Arant, Swartz, LA
Lynne Brown, Jackson, Alabama
“The Lord God is my strength and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places.”
Habakkuk 3:19 (NASB)
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight. Mk.1:3
In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:22
Mary Gray, Fieldale, VA
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus The Lord, so walk ye in him.”
Colossians 2:6 KJV
Johnine from Anna, Texas
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 NIV
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8 ESV
Diane Currie, Schertz Texas
Matthew 18:20 NIV “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Cindy, Beaumont TX. 1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3 nkjv
Paula Rutherford, Decatur, Tx–Philippians 4:20-21 (continuing through book of Philippians)
“Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.”
Linda Ballard, Waxahachie, TX : “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress: My God, In Him I will trust.'” Psalm 91:2 NKJV