More Than “Just” Heaven
I’ve been through some painful stuff in my lifetime… as I am sure you can say for yourself as well. And while I would cling to the fact that “even if it never got better, at least I can look forward to heaven…” well, I was missing one small little detail.
You see, it really has been a comfort to me to consider the fact that even if whatever hard I’m facing never seems to quit, I know that my hope is secured because of what Jesus did for me on the cross, dying to pay for my sins & rising again to conquer them once & for all. But the fact is, there’s more….
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
Psalm 23:4 doesn’t shy away from the concept of suffering. It doesn’t sugar-coat it, hide it, avoid it, pretend to the world it isn’t there… it confronts it with truth IN it.
And why no fear? Not just the hope of eternity in heaven, free from sin, pain, or death because of Jesus… but here NOW IN it with me.
I don’t have to fear the evils of this world or the pain or suffering in this life… not JUST because I have heaven on the horizon, but because He is with me in it, through it… every step of the way.
“For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5b)
God Doesn’t Hide from Our Pain
I absolutely love the fact that God doesn’t shy away from our pain or ask us to “just buck up.” He doesn’t want us to pretend. He doesn’t push away from us. He wants us to know where we can find hope where hope seems impossible. Not just waiting on eternity, but finding comfort through the storm NOW.
He doesn’t promise all of our hard away, but He promises to be our enough IN the hard.
It can seem so lonely when we face times of suffering. It can be so isolating when we see the suffering around us but others want to minimize or ignore it. But God sees. God knows. God cares. He wants us to cry out to Him in it. He wants to be what we need in it.
Nothing Else Lastingly Satisfies
My husband & I are reading through Ecclesiastes, one of the most uplifting books of the Bible (sarcasm here), & yet, even with all of the “vanity of vanities, all is vanity” comments throughout, it’s a clear reminder of what we ought to be living for, what will last beyond a temporary pleasure or satisfaction. It’s only in Jesus. Everything else fades or always just falls short of feeling like “enough.” But Jesus SATISFIES.
“Sorrow is better than laughter,
For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” (Ecclesiastes 7:3-4)
We can chase what makes us feel good, what makes us feel comfortable…. But we will always be chasing, grasping for the wind… a pursuit ever fleeting, ever just out of reach. But God knows that when we face hard things, we learn & we grow… & we see Him more clearly as our sufficiency instead of ourselves. Ignoring all pain & suffering doesn’t make it to stop existing. We NEED Him whether we like to admit it or not.
In His Presence Is Fullness of Joy… So Get into His Presence
I talked in a recent blog post about “In His Presence Is Fullness of Joy” & that I always assumed joy was just a given (or was supposed to be). But I have learned that when the heaviness settles on my heart or I feel overwhelmed or so restless it feels like my skin is uncontrollably squirming with angst, that I literally need to pause the tv, set down the phone, aka not turn to anything else to numb or avoid or comfort… & just sit & ask God for His presence… for His help… for His steadying hand… for His peace… for His calm. And let Him settle me. I need to just sit & BE in His presence.
To worship & praise His name… put everything in perspective of Who He is & what He has done for me.
He is big enough to handle my worst. He doesn’t shy away from it. He doesn’t push away from me in it. He doesn’t ask me to pretty it up to make it more palatable or hide it better so it makes Him more comfortable to be around me. He doesn’t ask me to pretend. He can take it… the worst & ugliest of me. When the pain is raw & not cleaned up yet.
And He sits with me in it. Fully embraces me at my worst. Calm IN the storm. Peace. GRACE.
God Sees Me & He Will Not Waste My Pain
And God ALWAYS has a plan. He is always working. He is never asleep. He is never missing a detail. He hasn’t forgotten you. He sees you. He cares for you. He is with you.
And He is working.
We can take comfort in that NOW.
“In the day of prosperity be joyful,
But in the day of adversity consider:
Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other….” (Ecclesiastes 7:14a)
He knows what we need. We can take comfort in that. He knows that adversity strengthens our character & builds our trust in Him as we turn to & cry out to Him in it. Because He always comes through. Not in praying for the end of the struggle, but in praying to see Him care for us in the struggle.
Unafraid… For I Know He Is with Me
And because I KNOW He is working, I can ask Him, “Lord, I do NOT want to waste this pain or struggle. Please use it to bless others somehow… to be a testimony to others that You are so much beyond sufficient. Show Yourself to BE my strength. Be strong in my weakness. Show the world Your grace through me… through this pain. In Jesus’ name… AMEN.”
The disciples understood this while singing His praises in prison (Acts 16:25). Job understood this when he lost EVERYTHING (Job 1:21). Paul understood this when his life was threatened (Acts 21:13). The 3 men thrown in the furnace understood this (Daniel 3:16-18). Daniel understood this when faced with the lions den (Daniel 6). God is worthy of our all & sufficient for us in ALL circumstances. He is working. We are a living testimony. IN the pain, & when God will eventually call us home–all in His perfect timing. God has a plan & He is at work! Cling to Him!
Unafraid… for I know He is with me. God has a plan. God is working. God will provide. God is in control. God will comfort. God is enough. God is with you.
Shine HOPE by turning to Him when you are afraid, trusting Him as your sufficiency as you go through it, knowing He is with you wherever you go. Not just waiting on eternity as your hope… but right NOW He is with you.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
***He is waiting for you… will you come?:***
***(Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10; John 14:6)***
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A Note from Michelle:
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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!!
October 2026 “Hope Mail”–Fighting Poverty in India!
Your purchase of October Hope Mail provides one day of school for a girl in an area of extreme poverty.
Enjoy the artisanal design of the Moroccan Tile Earrings when you shop Hope Mail this month! These detailed, hand-beaded statement earrings are handcrafted in a workshop in India that’s committed to fighting child marriage and helping women become financially independent as fair-trade Artisans. Featuring vibrant colors inspired by Moroccan Tile designs, these earrings are not only beautiful but create necessary jobs for women in areas of extreme poverty in India.
Every purchase of this month’s Hope Mail creates safe jobs with fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty in India where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops and human traffickers.
***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!***
How Can You Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support MichelleHydeOnline.com?
#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 first.
Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!
Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!
