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.
Terri Plumlee, Stamford, Tx
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, Isaiah 61:2, NIV
Joan Bush (Coppell, TX): He is before all things and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 NIV
Nicole Brentwoood, CA
“He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.” (Romans 2:5) NLT
Daura Crawley, Conway, AR 1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV
Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Madelyn Crawley, Conway, AR 1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV
Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Stacey, Hanahan, SC
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 NIV
Denise – Gardners, PA
“…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 (NIV)
Linda Proffitt -Louisville, KY
John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. -NIV
Kem Green, Des Moines, IA
“Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”
Hebrews 7:25 NLT
Patty Lincoln, Columbia, SC: “Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Is. 41:10 MSG
Melissa Dulaney, Circleville, OH
Philippians 2:14-15, NIV
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
Rhonda H Wade
Buchanan GA 30113
Matthew 24:27 NKJV
For as the lightening comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 14:22 NIV
Debbie, from Colorado Springs, CO
Isaiah 49:15,16 NIV
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will never forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”
Kendra from Fort Wayne, IN “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Prov. 31:25-26 NASB
Christa Lanier, Murfreesboro, TN. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV
Irmo, SC
Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. Psalm 36:9 NLT
Wanda Calderwood
Crofton, Maryland
“”The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. And He delights on his way.”
Psalms 37:23 NKJV
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Col 3:13 NIV
Sherri Zingarelli, Galena, OH:
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Bonnie from Bellaire, TX
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23 NLT
Linda
Peoria, Arizona
” 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
Margie, from Camdenton MO: My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV
Amy Andrews, Bellaire, TX
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23 NKJV
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 NKJV
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA “…you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.” Romans 8:12 (NLT)
Carol Hartley Montgomery Al
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
Ashley Lewis, Marshalltown, Iowa
1 Cor. 13:5 NIV
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Proverbs 14:26 NIV
He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for His children it will be a refuge.
Kathy
St. Louis, MO
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2Corinthians 4:18(NIV’84)
Santa Clarita, CA: “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’ Jer 29:1,NIV
Leanna Reynolds Southlake, TX Above all else guard your heart for everything you do flows from it, Probwrbs 4:23 NIV
Tracey Boynton Kingsburg CA
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go ” Joshua 1:9
Ruth Kitchener, ON
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives. Proverbs 27:21 (NIV)
Sharon, St. Louis
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)
Kristie Lovely, Van Alstyne, TX
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceable with all.” Romans 12:18 ESV
Ann, SC
. . . in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:7 NIV
Mary-Katherine Rogers, New Albany, Ohio
Psalm 150:6 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!”
Shelly Elston, Portland, OR
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,”
Philippians 1:9 (ESV)
Psalms 145: 8 (NIV)
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
Caitlin, McKinney, TX
A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. Proverbs 31:10, MSG
Anita Siecker, Purcellville, VA
Carry each other’s burdens,
and in this way you will
fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 NIV84
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, amen!.
Stephanie Volkmer, Tulsa OK
*Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17, nkjv)
Sherwood, OR – Psalm 86:5: “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” (NIV)
Conyers Psalms 103:17-18 KJV
“But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”
Nell Brinkley , chattanooga tn. And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the lord God the almighty and the lamb. Rev 21;22. Esv
Joan Baile, New Windsor, Maryland
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 NIV
Shannon Scarborough, Shelby, MT
“He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.”
Psalm 40:2 AMP
Jen Pond, Iron River, MI
Psalm 61:2 NKJ
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.