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.
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the Throne and the living creatures and the elders.
Revelation 5:11
(NIV)
Lori McCormick
Shakopee MN
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn’t have the Son of God does not have life.”
1 John 5:11-12 HCSB
Hebrews 12.11 KJV
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to
be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Pat S., Bertram, TX
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalm 37:23 NLT
Psalm 27:1 (NIV) 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.
Cary, NC
Cara Roberts, Reelsville, Indiana. “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8 NIV
Amy, Miamisburg, OH
Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out!
Romans 11:33 NIV
Palm Harbor, FL
James 3:17 (NLT)
The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.
Walker, LA:
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”
1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT
Brittney Zimprich Mildenhall, Suffolk, England, UK
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4 NIV
Anne, Athens, Greece – Psalm 34:22 (NLT) –
But the Lord will redeem those who serve Him. No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.
Toni Sidler, Argyle, TX
She us clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25, NLT
Lynette, Nashville, TN
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! (Psalm 105:4 ESV)
Pam Hendersonville, NC
“Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” Proverbs 31:25 KJV
Angie Shockney Lafayette, IN
Psalm 103:12-14 NIV
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
Linda H., Buckeye, AZ
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2a NIV
Amy, you are beautiful woman! Yes, our strength and dignity clothe us and become our fashion statement! I love the way you said this. And as we love and spend time with Him, He makes our faces shine with His radiance. Keep writing and sharing and encouraging. And thank you for your words. God bless!
Kristi Schnipke, Dayton, Ohio
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.
Ecclesiastes 5:1 ESV
Dianne Maineville, Ohio
Jeremiah 29 :12 niv
Then you will call on me and come and pray with me,
and I will listen to you.
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65:11 NLT
Danielle from Cedar Park, TX
You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.
Psalm 145:16-17 (ESV)
Becky, Cleveland, Tn. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
Juli Garrido, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Rev 11.17
“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign”
Mary, Atlanta, GA – 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5 (NIV)
Karen from Powell, Ohio
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Carrie, Liberty, TX
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:14-15 (NIV)
Brenda Gerber from Grafton, OH
Romans 11:34 (NIV)
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”
Lori McKinney, TX
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:16 NIV)
Lori, Toledo
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have the divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corth 10:4 NIV
Stacy B. Detroit, Michigan
Jude 1:20 (niv)
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
Michone-Butte,MT
For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all His ways, in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11-12
Rhonda Jackson of Godfrey, Illinois. Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:42
Abigail Dubbe, York PA, Psalm 121:7 (NIV), “The LORD will keep you from all harm- He will watch over your life;”
Nikki L., Littleton, CO
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ESV
Brenda Gerber from Grafton, Oh
I accidentally typed in the wrong verse in my previous comment. Here is my verse for this month.
Romans 11:36 (NIV)
“For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”
Carol Rice Deer Park, Texas
… and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ. II Corinthians 10: 5
Angie G
Albertville AL
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Col 3:24 NASB
Diane LeJeune, Fairview, TN
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 NIV
Cyndi Patterson, Bloomdale, OH
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all the nations.”
Psalm 67:1-2 NIV
Kathy, Baton Rouge, LA
“For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” Philippians 4:13 NLT
Deb from Wayland, Iowa
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
Proverbs 3:25 and 26
Michele-Lubbock
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear if the future.”
NLT
Wheatridge,Colorado
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
She can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25
NIV
Rhonda Beck Winston Salem, N.C.
But I trust in you Lord, I say You are my God. Psalm 31:14 (NIV)
Barbara, Medina, Oh
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Col 1:12ESV
Cathy from Keller: Nov. 15, 2015:
She is clothed with strength and dignity; and she is full of joy about the future. Prov. 31:24 NLV
Kim Beechem from Idabel, OK: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (ESV) For we know, brothers (and sisters) loved by God, that he has chosen you,
Shannon Houston, TX
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.