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.
Acts 2:32, 38 (NIV) 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 4:12a Salvation is found in no one else.
Christy Billingsley, Hattiesburg, MS
“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,”
Ephesians 6:13-14 NIV
Amy Spry
Dothan, AL
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Kathy, Los Gatos, CA.
Acts 2:32, 38 (NIV) 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 4:12a Salvation is found in no one else.
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 NLT
Jen from Wyoming
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Pamela Shaw, Bangor, Northern Ireland
‘The LORD will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life.’ Psalm 121:7 (NIV)
Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know….Jermiah 33:3
Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the LORD. Lamentations 3:40 NLT
Gina Rosamond, Ca
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Ephesians 6:10 NASB
Eleanor MacKay, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,Canada
Strengthened with all might,
According to His glorious power,
for all patience and long suffering with joy.
Colossians 1:11 NKJV
Ellen, Fort Worth, TX:
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 NIV
Lisa Rogers, valley center ks
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Christy Kirby, Plano, TX:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each another and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)
Joyce Smith-Mount Juliet, TN
Psalm 143:8 NLT
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
Gwyneth Tidwell of Haslet, Tx
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Psalm 84:1-2 (NIV84)
Connie Walker, Houston, TX
Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Liz Allen- Chesapeake, OH (formerly of Wooster, OH)
“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
-Romans 8:25, ESV
Pamela Houston
Buena Park, CA
“The earth is the LORD’S and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
Psalms 24:1 KJV
Judy Littleton, NC
For you have been my refuge a strong tower against the foe.
Psalm 61:3. NIV
Sunni Sutphin Mt Airy NC
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.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
San Bernardino Ca.
The Lord directs the steps of the godly he delights in every detail of their lives. Psalms 37:23 Nlt.
Julie
Madison, GA
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Psalm 34:8-10 NIV
Laury Pitts from San Clements, CA: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” Isaiah 43:2 NKJV
Shiffra, Kalamazoo MI
giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:12 (NIV)
Karen, Clarksville, “LORD, be gracious to us; we long for You. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in times of distress.” Isaiah 33:2 NIV
Sara Meredith
Morton IL
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. –Jeremiah 29:11
Leah Cullen – Ramona, CA
“O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.”
Psalm 59:17 ESV
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” -Galatians 5:1
Delores O.
Lake Stevens, WA
It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.
1 Peter 2:15-16 NLT
Beverly, Midlothian VA
Psalm 100:1-5 ESV
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Valerie Schaffner , Ontario (Mansfield), OH
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37. NLT
Sarah, Christina and Esther May; Wenatchee
“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
James 5:11 NIV
Tracy
Lake Saint Louis, Missouri
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Jennifer O. Corpus Christi, TX
No one is like you, Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Jeremiah 10:6 NIV
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Galatians 6:7 NIV
Connie Colston, Waxahachie, TX
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalms 19:14 NASB
Jan Morton
Hawkinsville, GA
Ephesians 4:23-24
Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Kathryn Luedtke, Sherwood Park, AB
…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Phil. 1:6 (NIV)
Stacy from Hawkinsville, GA
Surely your 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)
Marsha, Angleton TX “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalms 51:10 (NIV84)
Julie, Gresham, OR
“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (ESV)
April Hughes, Escondido, Ca.”Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord , the fruit of the womb a reward.”
Psalm 127:3 ESV
Christy, St. Clements, Ontario
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:19 NIV
Helen Roseberry, Riverside, CA
“and give no opportunity to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27 (ESV)
Susan Sarver, St. George UT
“Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.”
Proverbs 14:26 NIV
LINDA
MONTANA
NJJV PSALMS 1:1)
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13, NIV)
Theresa, Glendale AZ: After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to god in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. Acts 27:35 (NIV)
Kris Morrissey, Omaha, NE
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and hep you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV