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.
Kelly in south Arkansas
“Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
~Isaiah 46:4 NIV
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25
NLT
Christy Richardson–Portageville MO
I absolutely love your post!! And absolutely love this verse!! I’m going to use it too!!❤
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future”. Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Colossians 3:14 NIV
And over all these virtues put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Jann Sanicola Holraville, New York
Philippians 1:9-11 NIV
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
Amanda Porter. Kansas City, Missouri. “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.” -Psalm 62:5 (NLT)
Lynn from Lucas Ks. “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.”
Joshua 1:6 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jos.1.6.esv
Samantha Zumbro, Golden, CO
Psalm 37:24 NIV
“Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
Alisha Hoschton, Ga
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 ESV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua1:9 NIV
Cindy Barger
Houston, Texas
Bonny Hansen, Mitchell, South Dakota
“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
Meredith B
Collierville Tn
…and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty
Instead of ashes. the oil of joy, instead of mourning; and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor… Isaiah 61:3.
New Revised Standard Life Application
Danielle, Pinewood, SC
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
I Peter 5:7 NKJV
Nancy Denver
“The fear of the Lord is pure enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.” Ps 19:9,10
Sue-Elise Flowers, Burkesville, KY
2 Thessalonians 2:3(NIV) “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”
DeLene from Garland, TX
“Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Psalm 102:1
NIV After what happened in Paris, I just kept repeating this as I wept.
Heather, Colorado Springs, CO The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Psalms 103:19 NIV
Fruita, CO
Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you? You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask; you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.
Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy. Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, “The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning”? But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.” So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into despair. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.
James 4:1-10 NET
1 Cor. 15:31 NIV
For since death came through a man, the resurrection from the dead comes also through a man.
Kelly, Auburn, Al – And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 NIV
Jacqui Maudslay, Chester UK
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Proverbs 27:19 NKJV As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man.
Gloria Freeport, FL And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
Ellen, Amersfoort, the Netherlands
Uit haar verschijning spreken kracht en waardigheid, de dag van morgen ziet ze lachend tegemoet.
Spreuken 31:25 (NBV)
Lisa Atkinson, Chappell Hill, Texas
“When you pass through the waters I will be with you
and when you pass through the rivers the water will
not sweep over you. ” Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
Kaye Davis from Hamburg,AR
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23. (NIV)
Barbara Ford – Troy, MO
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Kelly, Missouri CIty , TX: ‘SHe said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something and her face was no longer downcast.
1 Samuel 1:18 NIV
Sheryl, PA
The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.
Deut. 30:6 (NASB)
Cindy Matter, North Potomac, MD
God blesses those who are merciful for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7 NLT
Ashley Reed, Cedar Park, TX – “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. Those brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those from Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” ~Phil. 4:19-23 (HCSB)
And a quick note that I’m just about to have the whole letter of Philippians memorized! Praise GOD for His amazing word!
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12, NIV
Linda Chuplis York Haven PA
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
Carla LaFayette, Al.
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25
Diane Ellison from Littleton, CO
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV
Carrie Lagas, North Potomac, MD
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV
Dottie Morrow
Mansfield,TX
“…for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.”
Proverbs 3:12 NKJV
Lisa Walden – Grand Prairie Tx
Mark 12:33 NIV
[33] To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Tanya, Raleigh, NC
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30The Message (MSG)
Jessica Sanders, Broken Arrow, OK
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.
Isaiah 66:13 (NIV)
Dawn in Monett, MO
Proverbs 11:30 NIV The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
Jacquie Terada Mt Vernon WA
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear, then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 58:8 NIV
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA.
“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.” I John 3:20 NIV
Catherine Lisle, Albuquerque NM. 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” ESV.
Cheryl Swanson – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
Psalm 84:5 (NIV)
Tammy Martinez, Burleson, TX
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 (ESV)
Rene Adee, canyon, Texas
Ps 141:13 NIV
“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Justine Crawford, Las Vegas, NV
Jude 1:23 (NIV)
snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Cassie Oring, Murfreesboro, TN. ““Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV
Melissa Sangster, Simpsonville, KY
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV