Just My Thoughts This Afternoon…
I’m getting on here today not really knowing what I’m going to be talking about. I’m just imagining me as tired as I am, sitting cross-legged on the couch having a conversation with a friend.
I really am a selfish person. Do you ever feel that way?
When the Slightest or Heaviest Hard Hits
When things don’t go my way… when I have a nagging headache or when I don’t get nearly enough sleep (like my less than 3 hours last night), or when someone hurts my feelings or says something unkind or misunderstands me completely & builds their whole perception of me based on said misunderstanding….
When I have no friends, no job, no place, no purpose.
When I am sick or in pain & the sleepless nights & miserably uncomfortable days seem to be never-ending.
When depression knocks my world apart & I spend most days crying in secret.
In any season of hard… I just want to quit. I want to give up & say, “God, why do You not love me anymore?!?!?”
It Doesn’t Always Work That Way
I want things to go my way… to be comfortable… to have a quick solution or fix.
And sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. Right? I can’t be alone in this.
But God is so gracious… so patient… so gentle… so kind… so loving.
I don’t deserve it.
I feel like I have to learn lessons way more times than seems even remotely reasonable… you know… just to be sure.
I idolize comfort & ease & routine.
For God So Loved [Me]
But thank God that I serve a God (& am saved by Jesus) Who loves me unconditionally. My debt is paid in full. I can never hope to repay it, but I will spend every day trying… not because I falsely believe I HAVE to… but because I know He is deserving of it.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)
Sin Means “Missing the Mark”
Who gets to determine where the mark or bullseye or standard of life is in order to go to Heaven? The one who made the world & everything & everyone in it–GOD.
We know His standard because of His Word, the Bible, inspired by God through the writing of men. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Even if we do EVERYTHING right & pleasing to God & have only ONE mistake, wrong action, wrong attitude, wrong thought, ANYTHING… guess what… we’ve missed the mark, even if just by a teensy, tiny bit. It’s missed.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23)
AKA NO ONE can go to heaven on their own merit, because Heaven is perfect & if imperfect people are allowed into Heaven… it will no longer be perfect. We ALL deserve HELL. That’s our rightful place.
BUT JESUS
But… BUT… JESUS. He, GOD, was born as man, lived a perfectly sinless life (AKA hit the mark 100% because He is GOD) & took OUR deserved wrath & punishment on Himself so that we could be cleansed of our missing the mark… so that we could be counted righteous because of HIS righteousness…. IF we trust on Him as our hope in place of ourselves… IF we confess our sins to God & accept the payment made by Jesus, trusting on HIM as our LORD & SAVIOR.
“But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)
PRAISE GOD!
Even on Your Not-So-Great Days
He is deserving of my all… even the not-so-great parts.
Praise GOD.
Shine HOPE by turning to Him & pointing to Him & leaning into Him in every high AND low, coming to Him with quick repentance every time you know you don’t measure up to all He deserves from you & by striving to live a life that pleases & honors Him… even on your not-so-great days.
He is worth it ALL.
Coming Next Week
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As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.
A Note from Michelle:
(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)
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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:
Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Bumblebee Studs (EAST ASIA)
These adorable, dainty Bumblebee Studs represent our tiny but mighty pollinator friends. Through your purchase, women in East Asia are leaving brothels, receiving an education, and earning a dignified wage creating beautiful jewelry.
*****Every purchase creates jobs to support sex-trafficking survivors in East Asia with safe housing, health care, trauma counseling, job skills training, and dignified income.*****
How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:
#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY.
SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!
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Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!
