Come What May, No Matter How Dark This World May Feel
Especially in my last season struggling through depression, in my 20s, I really couldn’t ever want to imagine having kids because of how dark this world could be, & how things like seasons of depression could feel so incredibly dark for seemingly no reason at all.
I felt fear at the thought, because “how could I bring my child into a world of so much suffering & darkness.”
But since then, God has been able to begin shifting my perspective over time.
It is true that God has not provided us with children, & honestly, that I would be more terrified of the idea of having children but for completely different reasons—namely my 40-something age, bad hip/back, & lack of energy that I once enjoyed 10-20 years ago….
But I also know that God would help me if that were to happen & that He would subsequently teach me a deeper reliance upon Him that would deepen my faith in Him & would end up being a great sanctifying tool for my good & His glory.
No longer, though, is that fear based on the evil of this world, though.
Because He Lives, I Can Face Tomorrow!
Because, as dark as this world may seem at any given time, with our sin more prevalently showing…. I know Who is REALLY in charge, Who holds absolute control & whose plans cannot be thwarted despite how hard it may get.
God is still on His throne. God will still have the final say. God will still use it for our good & His glory as we submit each hardship under Him.
We don’t have to be afraid of whatever may come.
And that gives me something to praise Him for.
He is in control. He is on His throne. AMEN. Praise GOD!
Shine HOPE by not living in fear of the darkness in this world, but rather by lifting your eyes to heaven, praising God that He is still on His throne & He can still use whatever may come for our Good AND His glory! Praise Him!!
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
(*TUNE IN to watch this week’s LIVE STREAM (Episode 22) on my NEW YouTube Channel!! @: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleHydeOnline (*Tuesdays @6pm EST/Wednesdays @8am GUAM*) OR come back here to watch it once it has been uploaded!)
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.
Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!
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!***)
This blog/website has been running for EIGHT years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!
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!!
Conch Brooch, Handcrafted & Empowering Women in India Out of Poverty!!
(Shown: Conch Brooch, handcrafted in India & empowering women out of poverty!!)
When you purchase the Conch Brooch you create safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops.
This adorable pin shows off the craftsmanship of our talented artisan partners in India! Each bead is hand-sewn onto the pin to create this conch image. This is the perfect addition to any blazer, coat, or canvas bag to instantly give you a unique look!
***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!
Have We Stopped Caring Whether We Neglect/Dishonor God? Living OUR Way Instead of HIS?
As I have seen our culture in America become bolder & bolder in “living their truth” or living their way—living their sin out loud—I wonder if our culture today is lacking a fear of God.
It honestly seems so.
God’s Word—the Bible—informs us that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10)
An understanding that God is GOD & I am NOT is where true wisdom begins.
What Does It Mean to “Fear God”?
I have often had a fear of God described to me as–for those who do not trust Jesus to pay for their sins, often referred to as “unbelievers”—this “fear of God” is a trembling fear that they will meet the wrath of God for their actions if they do not humble themselves & trust Jesus to cover their sin, submitting themselves to God….
While, for believers on Jesus, it is a mere “reverence.” An “awe.” Not really FEAR, fear anymore.
But, I think we need to be careful saying that.Of toning down how we ought to behave toward God. How we ought to surrender our lives to Him as our Heavenly KING.
Not of His Wrath, But of His Eternal Deserving
No, we who trust on Jesus do not need to fear the WRATH of God, because we know that we could never hope to pay in full what we owe… we know we are ONLY able to be made righteous because of JESUS, not ourselves.
But it is more accurate to consider FEARing Him vs just “being in awe” of Him.
Because we need to take sin very seriously. We need to understand that God is GOD. He is not to be ignored or trifled with. He is not to be ignored or “tossed in for good measure when we need something.” We ought to treat Him as our Master & our Commander… our KING of kings.
Not that we need to be living in constant anxiety-driven fear, because we know we have the blood of Jesus covering our sins, but also not taking advantage of the cost that was paid for us.
Living, rather, as worthy of it.Living in HONOR of the One Who paid to set us free.
NOT mocking His sacrifice by living by what seems right to us, but surrendering to–& trusting in—how HE says we ought to live.
Are You Living as a Slave to Sin? Or of Righteousness?
“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered [the GOSPEL, trusting Jesus to cover your sins because of His death on the cross & conquering sin AND death]. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:15-23)
It Is ALWAYS One or the Other
The Bible says we are either slaves to sin or to righteousness. Either we live to the whims of the heart, tossed to & fro, facing the fine print painful consequences of living according to our fleshly, sinful nature….
OR, living as a servant of Jesus Christ, living under His redemption, the cost paid by Him… slaves to righteousness, living to please our great God, Who gave His all so that we could be called sons & daughters of the King vs. merely as slaves, abused & used.
What Kind of Master Would You Rather Serve?
Imagine with me a tyrant boss who counts you as just a number, worthless–who doesn’t care how poorly they treat you or anything for your well-being. You feel used & like you don’t matter to anyone. You hate going to work because of how you are treated.
That is like living as a slave to your sin. It will wreck you, destroy you, chip away at you. It cares nothing for you or the consequences you will pay as a result of your choices.
But then, imagine with me a boss who uplifts you, treats you respectfully, even sacrifices their own time to make sure you are adequately supported, taking care to treat you with consideration & kindness. Bonuses, little treats, & kind words to help you get through your day feeling seen, appreciated, & that your work matters.
This is what it is like being a slave to righteousness. Sure, the work isn’t always easy, but the more you learn to turn to your “boss” aka God Almighty, the more He supports you & helps you. He never manipulates or shames you, but steps in to be quick to forgive & to help you over your hurdles. It’s a pleasure to serve Him & work for Him because He actually cares about you as a person.
How Would You Rather be Treated?
Both slaves, but each treated very differently, with very different treatment & outcomes.
One makes you loathe going to work, the other makes you eager to start each day.
One boss doesn’t care one bit about you. The other sacrificed His life so you could be forgiven & given a clean slate when you terribly screwed it all up.
One hates you. One loves you beyond what any words could express.
One leads to your destruction. The other leads to your freedom & a full, fulfilling life.
Treat Him with the Respect, Honor, Reverence, Submission & Humility That He Deserves as Your King Who Gave His ALL for You
No, as a believer on Jesus for covering our sin payment for us, we don’t have to fear God’s wrath, but we should still live as if He is worthy of that fear, as if He is deserving of that kind of respect & reverence, knowing that Jesus died a very brutally gruesome death on your behalf…as if we wouldn’t DARE making a mockery of that sacrifice just so you can live YOUR way over HIS.
So, how is your fear of Him? How do you treat God?Do you treat Him as worthy of that kind of fear & respect?Or do you just sort of toss a thanks His way, while living the way that pleases YOU first & foremost each day?
How are you treating Him? Do you FEAR Him in that way? Honoring His sacrifice on your behalf?
Is Our Culture Today Lacking a Fear of God?
How can you change? Start by asking His forgiveness if you have been taking His Word less seriously than it deserves… if you have been living mainly by your agenda rather than His.
And ask Him to continue to shape you to be more respectful & honoring to Him as KING of kings.
And read His Word—the Bible—to know better how to please & honor Him with your life, your time, your resources, your beliefs, your desires, your thoughts, your friendships... your EVERYTHING.
And PRAY. Talk to Him.
Honor His sacrifice for you by how you live for Him.
Turn to Him & FIND LIFE
(And, if you don’t believe on Him & you are still an abused slave to your sin, your dishonoring behaviors & thoughts, not submitted to Jesus to pay for your sins…. Start there. Ask God for forgiveness of your sins, agreeing with God that they are sinful, & humbly ask Jesus to cover your sins, trusting on Him to pay for it all… becoming a slave to righteousness instead from here on out.)
“He who finds his life [lives for self, pleasure-seeking] will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake [lives instead as a slave to the will of God]will find it.” (Matthew 10:39)
No more living for US with a dash of Jesus thrown in there for good measure.
Shine HOPE, by fearing God–treating Him the way He deserves, & by honoring His Word with obedience above your desires, even when you don’t feel like it, knowing He WILL help you as you ask Him for it. So, ASK.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
(*TUNE IN to watch this week’s LIVE STREAM (Episode 21) on my NEW YouTube Channel!! @: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleHydeOnline (*Tuesdays @6pm EST/Wednesdays @8am GUAM*) OR come back here to watch it once it has been uploaded!)
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.
Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!
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!***)
This blog/website has been running for EIGHT years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!
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!!
Golden Wave Hoops, Handcrafted in INDIA! Purchase These Below!
(Shown: Golden Wave Hoops, handcrafted in India! Purchase below to help empower these women out of poverty!)
In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable women in sweatshops.
Purchase these beauties below to provide these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, and care for elderly family members. Purchase these earrings and empower an Artisan in India!
***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!
How Is Your View of God? Is It Accurate? How Do You Know?
How often do you view God as less than He is? How often do you underestimate Him? How often do you think it’s not worth praying because you don’t feel He could help because you see how all of your efforts have fallen flat? How often do you see how He did not answer you in a clear way before, so you stopped asking?
When I talk about “praying through it,” I often get responses that reveal more about their true underlying faith—that they really don’t quite believe God can or will do anything for them… so why bother?
Like, “yeah, yeah, I get it—God is GOD & I am supposed to pray about it more.”
Sometimes they seem to feel more pressure at the suggestion, as if I am asking them to believe harder than they are—as if they are not good enough at believing Him & need to just try harder at it, but really don’t feel like they can do any more than they’re doing already, so it just discourages them when I mention it to them.
As if God is punishing them for not believing Him enough.(He isn’t, by the way.)
Sometimes We May Believe, “Well, of Course He CAN… But That Doesn’t Mean He Will…” How Can We Pray with Any Confidence, Then?
Well, if you have believed any of that, you are in good company because this was me a majority of my life. I understood that God didn’t always give me what I asked, so I always had the mindset that “OF COURSE God CAN… but that does NOT mean He WILL.”
Honestly, I don’t feel that way anymore. All of those mentionings above, where I talked about how much added pressure of just not believing hard enough to get answers were how I once felt… but I don’t ever feel that way anymore.
Are You Abiding in Him… or Just Calling on Him When You Need Something? Do You Know Him Well Enough to Recognize His Voice & Receive His Peace?
I have learned that the very pivotal piece I was missing was the ABIDING in Him.
Sure, I went to church, I prayed before meals or when I was really stressed. I attended Bible Studies & Sunday School before church… sometimes did a devotional at home… but that was about it for my time with Him.
Now, I am NOT implying that it is a give & take reward, as if God will not care about you UNLESS you do “enough” for Him.
But I AM saying that the more you abide in Him, the more you begin to see the heart of God, to know where you can have confidence in your prayers, how to ask, what to ask, how to believe He will answer. You begin to see His heart.
How to Know When You Can Pray with Confidence
That is why I recommend SO STRONGLY to:
Read the Bible ALL THE WAY through… not just snippets that sound encouraging, or snippets from devotionals, Bible studies, or church sermons. ALL of it.
AS you read, look for what it tells you about Who God is, what He cares about, what He hates, what He defends, how He shows up. Look for what it tells you about HIM.
PRAY for clarity & understanding, as well as asking for His help overcoming your many obstacles preventing you from reading.
The more you get to know God’s nature & eternal character, the easier it is to know when God will honor your request,or whether you’re missing the bigger picture, in which, through humility, He may teach you better to rely on Him instead of your plans or desires, replacing your ache/desperation with His peace.
Sometimes It Is Simply Just Quick, Regular Prayers
I also think, when I point out someone’s need to pray, they have this picture in their head where they think to get an answer, that they may feel burdened by a supposed “necessity” of needing to get down on their knees & do a long, drawn out, dramatic prayer. God hears your every thought, so when you think something wrong or fearful… or you mess something up… just stop & throw out a quick “I’m sorry God. Help me to trust You better in this.”That’s it sometimes.
Yes, there are times where you ought to set aside time & just pour out your heart & lay before Him your needs & requests, hurts & struggles… to praise & thank Him while you’re at it… but we’re called to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:15-19) & to “take every thought captive & MAKE it obedient to Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) so sometimes that means just stopping in mid-thought to turn it over to Him. Nothing elaborate or fancy. Flowery words don’t make a difference to God. He gets it.
Sometimes you may not even have the words to express what you need & so you just lift your eyes up & whisper, “Lord, help.”
Because it’s not about the words. It’s not about using enough words or being flowery or dramatic enough with your words or the amount of words you use or how long you pray. It’s about knowing where your help comes from, that it doesn’t come from you & it sure doesn’t come from the world.
It comes only from Him.
Trust Him More Than You Trust Your Perception of Him
He made the world & everything in it, including you… without your help.
You can trust Him with your concerns big & small.
You can trust He holds your future & He is in full control.
You can trust He has a plan for you & He sees you & He knows you by name.
You can trust He cares for you…He sent Jesus to die for your sins, so how could we ever doubt His love for us? He could have just as well left us to bear the burden & punishment & blame of our own lack of measuring up. But He didn’t….
It’s okay to doubt Him. He knows He is so far above what we could ever fully understand. His is GOD, not fellow man. He is SO far above us.The point is that we don’t turn away from in our doubts, but that we turn to Him in it still.
We don’t have to prove we trust Him “enough.” We can have our doubts… but let those doubts turn into prayers.
What to Do When You Feel Like Praying Isn’t Doing Any Good…
Be willing to pray in your disbelief: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:23-24)
“God, I don’t know how to believe You have my best interest in this. I have prayed & gotten nowhere. I feel like You don’t care. I know I ought to believe You more. Please help me with that. Help me grow in my love for & trust in You. Don’t let me go. Don’t give up on me. I want to know You more. I want to love You more. I want to trust You more…I just don’t know how. Please help me see You better. Help me learn to rely on You more & to see that You are the best place to place my trust. You are worthy. Help me see it. I’m sorry for my doubts. Forgive me & help me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”
God knows anyway. You don’t have to flower it up or mask it from Him. Be honest. Be raw & real with Him. Let Him see your heart in all of its doubts, because He already sees it. Trust Him with those doubts. Just cry out to Him to help you change it vs. trying to do everything on your own instead.
Start there: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.”
I prayed that for years as I began to read my Bible little by little every day & now I do read it every day automatically because I have learned that the Bible & His presence are a VERY REAL sustenance for my soul.
I was living soul-malnourished for so long… now I’m not & boy is it a HUGE difference.
He Shall Direct Your Paths
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8)
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
“I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
Feed your soul -> abide in Him.
Shine Hope. PRAY.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
(*TUNE IN to watch this week’s LIVE STREAM (Episode 20) on my NEW YouTube Channel!! @: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleHydeOnline (*Tuesdays @6pm EST/Wednesdays @8am GUAM*)
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.
Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!
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!***)
This blog/website has been running for 7.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!
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!!
Sunburst Amate Art, Handcrafted in Southern Mexico!
(Shown: Sunburst Amate Art, handcrafted in Southern Mexico! Purchase below to empower these women out of poverty!)
*Frame is not included. Includes 1 piece of amate art and 1 coordinating mat.
This unique square Amate Art features natural textures and patterns inspired by the Artisans’ ancient Aztec heritage. Each piece of amate art has variations that are unique to the Artisan who created it. The neutral colors and natural textures of this Amate Art coordinates beautifully with almost any wall decor!
Once used as a primary form of communication, record keeping, and religious ceremonies in many villages in Mexico, amate art is traditionally handcrafted using paper pulp made from sustainable and eco-friendly tree bark. Each piece of amate paper often takes one Artisan several days to complete.
Every purchase supports families living in areas of extreme poverty in Mexico.
***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!
This topic is so very important to talk about, mainly because it does not seem all that important or necessary from a glance.
It is true. You can go through your whole life not reading the Bible or not talking to God through every thought or action, every season of life… & still get by.
And if it was not modeled growing up, maybe you’ve even seen that it wasn’t all that important to your parents either, & they seem to be doing just fine—as you would expect, because hardships come no matter what.
Despite this broad lack of understanding of the importance discovered in ABIDING, it is THE MOST important piece of your entire life (aside from turning to Jesus to pay your sins, obviously).
When the Subtlety of God’s Power in Our Lives–Discovered through Abiding in Him–Becomes Not So Subtle
Something MAJOR has changed in me over the past several years…something I can’t really explain in a way that seems to make any logical sense.
I have been reading the Bible every day, thinking over it throughout the day, encouraged to sing praises to God when my life flips upside down, & taking a second to ask for God’s help with every wrong thought or attitude, bowing it to Him.I have been striving to ABIDE IN HIM.
My peace has grown versus everything knocking me around. My willingness to be gracious versus bitter & frustrated has grown. My sense of direction in life has grown, vs. feeling like it’s all one big guessing game.
I have begun to turn to God for help much more readily as my gut response versus my last resort.
I See God More… I Turn to Him More Readily vs Relying on Myself
And sure, some of it is maturity as I grow older (proud to be in my 40s here!), but I can tell it isn’t all that.
How do I know, you ask? Because a lot of the time, those good responses & habits are not my INITIAL heart response.
I still have anxiety hit me off my feet. I still get frustrated & clench-fisted when someone is mean to me. I still feel lost at times. I still find my flesh fighting back, wanting my way.
But when I pray, I have seen more quickly my need, my wrong, my struggle against Him & against the truth my heart needs, vs being blind to it. I have become more aware of my need to lean on God for help, to seek His Truth, to understand that God is in control, not me.
My mind is being renewed… refreshed… nourished, the more time I spend reading the Bible & the more I turn over to Him for help.
He Renews Our Minds & Our Hearts as We Abide in Him
His thoughts are more quickly becoming my thoughts. My wrong behavior, thoughts, & attitudes are becoming something for which I become more quickly aware of & turn over to God in surrender & repentance. I more easily see His perspective & my need of Him.
I more quickly turn to Him as my help.
My mind & heart are being renewed & restored because my spirit is being nourished regularly with the Word of God & spending time in His presence.
The Bible Is Not Just Another Book of Wise Sayings… It Is THE Word of GOD
It’s not just a book. It’s not just wise sayings. It’s not just biblical history. It’s not just words on a page.
They are the Words of GOD. They have power. They nourish our soul. They provide rich nutrients to our spirit. They are steady, secure, faithful, TRUE words. They are TRUTH. They contain the promises of God & reveal the character of God. They are life-giving words… Because they are words directly given by God, through men who wrote on His behalf.
They are “God-breathed” words.
You Give & You Serve… But Are You Nourished? “Abide in Me”
If you are a believer who constantly feels frazzled, stressed, anxious, thrown to & fro, frustrated, angry, at their wits end…. Do you read your Bible daily? Do you toss up a prayer every single itty bitty time that one of those things threatens your calm or peace?Are you ABIDING in HIM?
Where is your hope? Your efforts? Your “trying harder”? Your “I just need to be better next time”?
Or in His Word & in His presence?
If the former, no wonder you feel frayed & frenzied. You were not meant to do this life by sheer willpower, but by the power of God working in you.
Submit it to Him. Cry out to Him. Lean on Him. Glean from Him. Turn to HIM. ABIDE in Him.
And if you feel major pushback from it, GOOD—that means Satan knows how much you need it & is trying to do everything he can to stop you! But you know Someone greater! So don’t you dare let him win.
ABIDE IN HIM–God Knows You NEED Him
God doesn’t NEED you to read your Bible or talk to Him. Take that pressure of others’ standards OFF YOUR BACK. God gains nothing from it. But He knows YOU DO.
AND ANYTHING He asks of you, you can be 100% sure He will help you do it as you ask for His help in it.Do you bother to ask?
Abiding in Him is purposeful, but it is also a muscle. Start small if you are intimidated. But do not allow your intimidation to keep you away from that which your soul needs above ALL ELSE: God’s WORD & God’s PRESENCE.
Are you abiding in Him?
You give & you serve… but are you NOURISHED? “Abide in Me… for apart from Me, you can do nothing.”(John 15:1-5)
On my website, @: MichelleHydeOnline.com, you can find resources under the “Resources & Recommendations” tab that may help you grow in your abiding in Him. They are completely free, no strings attached, & I hope they may be a blessing to you as you seek to love & honor God with your whole heart.
Shine HOPE by abiding in Him vs. just serving Him. He wants your heart more than He needs you to DO for Him. Don’t neglect one for the other.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
(*TUNE IN to watch this week’s LIVE STREAM (Episode 19) on my NEW YouTube Channel!! @: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleHydeOnline (*Tuesdays @6pm EST/Wednesdays @8am GUAM*)
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.
Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!
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!***)
This blog/website has been running for 7.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!
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!!
Bourne Beach Tote w/ Seaside Bag Charm, Handcrafted in India!
(Shown: Bourne Beach Tote. Purchase below to empower women in India out of poverty.)
Create the opportunity for women in India to earn a dignified income when you shop and carry the Bourne Beach Tote.
Perfect for a trip to the market or as your go to pool or beach accessory, this tote has room for everything you need to carry with you! Each ethically made tote includes a zipper closure, interior zipper pocket, front slip pocket, and is perfect for your everyday essentials!
When you purchase the Bourne Beach Tote, you also receive the adorable Seaside Bag Charm. Each bag charm is created in a workshop committed to fighting child marriage in India by creating fair paying job and shows of the craftsmanship of our talented artisan partners in India! Each bead is hand-sewn onto the charm to create this pair of adorable friends, a seahorse and crab.
***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!
I have known a lot of people in my life who have claimed to be Christians, while also believing it to be completely okay for them to live completely opposed to how God says we ought to live: from sex outside of marriage to marrying someone of the same gender to partying & getting drunk every weekend.
I have also known a lot of people who claim to be “religious” or “spiritual,” whatever that means, as if claiming these things is entirely sufficient, which, again, I don’t really know what being religious or spiritual gains for you at all when it comes to whether or not God is pleased with you & your life.
If we want to say we love God, we have to be willing to submit to & obey Him.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
The 2 are entirely inseparable. You cannot say you love God & then live so opposite His Word.
We Don’t Decide Who God Is… He Does.
The deception here, I believe, is thinking that we can define Who God IS. That we choose verses that align with US so that we can feel okay with how we have decided is “Him.”
That is the danger of having the entirety of your knowledge of the Bible come from mere devotionals or sermons on Sundays.While beneficial, they are man-made snapshots… an incomplete picture of the whole of Scripture.
And the further danger is not really knowing God at all… but only the parts that make you feel all warm & fuzzy.
If you’re avoiding the Old Testament, for example, because it makes God seem “mean,” while reading only the New Testament because it makes you feel loved, pursued, & worthy of that love… well, you are missing out on really seeing how wretched God considers our sin… the death & suffering that happens as a result of it… the unrelenting judgment… the wrath of God.
You see, God is the same God throughout all of eternity, & this includes both the OT (Old Testament) & NT (New Testament) portrayals of Him. He is a never-changing God.
God Is the Same Yesterday, Today, & Forever… (Hebrews 13:8)
The OT shows WHY Jesus HAD to die. What complete insufferable wretches we are in our sin nature… the price that must be paid in its wake.
The NT shows that God did not just decide to forget our wretched sin or downplay it, but rather, required Jesus to suffer a brutally gruesome death because of it.
Mercy & Justice met on the cross.
So, when we claim to follow Jesus & we claim to trust He paid for our wretchedness on the cross, to pay OUR debt in such an awfully painful way… WHY then, WHY would you openly KEEP sinning???
WHY would you think YOU get to TELL GOD what YOU, the CREATED, want to believe about Him?
You do not…. He IS.
“And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)
Where Love, Justice, & Mercy Meet… On the Cross of Jesus Christ…
Don’t you dare focus so much on His LOVE that you neglect to see His wrath against your sin, paid in the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Yes, His love was displayed so fully & beautifully on that cross, but so was His justice & His wrath against our sinfulness.
Being “religious” or “spiritual” gains you NOTHING without trusting on Jesus Christ Who paid your debt on that cross. NOTHING.
You will go to Hell with ALL of your “spirituality” & “religion” if you do not submit your sin before the cross of Christ.
Do not be fooled. You are not good. You are not good enough…but you are so loved by a God Who loves you SO MUCH anyway & gave EVERYTHING to redeem you from your sin against Him.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2)
Live Submitted to Him, Not Your Desires or Beliefs
Live like you believe He loves you.
Live like you believe God is the One true God & has a right to our surrendered submission to the truth of His Word.
Live like you believe He alone is GOD—not YOU, or your desires, or your will, or your beliefs… HE is GOD. NOT you.
You don’t get to decide. He does.
You don’t get to determine what He considers sin or truth. He does.
You don’t get the final say. He does.
Being “Religious” or “Spiritual” Is Not the Same Thing as Being Biblical
Submit your life to HIM. Submit your sin to HIM.
Let Him be your authority… not you.
Being “religious” or “spiritual” is NOT the same thing as being Biblical.
Only faith in only Him.
Shine HOPE by determining to honor & obey the Word of God in its entirety—not just the parts that make you feel good. Jesus died so that you may know true hope & have life to its fullness. Trust Him & obey Him with everything. Hold nothing back. Leave nothing out.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
(*TUNE IN to watch this week’s LIVE STREAM (Episode 18) on my NEW YouTube Channel!! @: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleHydeOnline (*Tuesdays @6pm EST/Wednesdays @8am GUAM*)
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.
Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!
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!***)
This blog/website has been running for 7.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!
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!!
Sparrow Pin, Handcrafted in India!
(Shown: Sparrow Pin, handcrafted by women overcoming extreme poverty in India! Purchase below to support them in this journey!)
When you purchase the Sparrow Pin, you create safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops.
This adorable pin shows off the craftsmanship of our talented artisan partners in India! Each bead is hand-sewn onto the pin to create this bird image. This is the perfect addition to any blazer, coat, or canvas bag to instantly give you a unique look!
***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!
Tell People the “It’s So Good, I Can Hardly Believe It!” Good News!
If you’re a Christian–someone who trusts in Jesus Christ to cover your wrongs before God, knowing you could never hope to pay Him back on your own–you ought to want to share the hope found in Jesus with others.
It’s not nosy. It’s not arrogant. It’s not a negotiable.
If you really, actually believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven (because He is–John 14:6), why would you keep quiet, knowing the alternative leads to their eternal condemnation & never-ending suffering?
Spread HOPE! Tell people about what Jesus did for you & for them so that they can know Him & be saved!
The Rest Have Holes in Them! The Rest Will Sink!
Imagine you knew your town was about to flood in a major way, like destroying homes, no visible ground, turning your town into a river type of way….
You know the ONE company that has absolutely no holes in their life-saving boats, & you know that every other company is actually lying & theirs will sink & its passengers will for sure drown. It’s not an assumption or paranoia–for whatever reason, you KNOW about the state of the boats better than anyone & you KNOW it’s the case because it is FACT.
How eager would you be to tell ALL your neighbors, friends, & families that they HAVE to buy from that ONE company?
Would that make you rude? Nosy? Getting in other peoples’ business? Snobby or self-righteous?
NO. It would make you a decent human being who cares about what happens to those around you!
No Other Gods… No Other Hope… Only Jesus
Well, you have that information. Jesus is THE only way. NO ONE comes to the Father God without Him. He is IT. (John 14:6)
If you have neighbors, family, or friends who die & they have not turned to Jesus to cover their sins before God… they WILL STILL go before the judgement seat of Christ & they WILL STILL fall short & go to Hell as the consequences of their own unholiness.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
“… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
They will die… & without Jesus… they will go to Hell. Period.
But I Don’t Know What to Say…..
So, how do we tell people about Jesus then? How do we get them to understand about the ONE “life raft” that will keep them alive?
I’ve spent my life being intimidated by this question. Even at Liberty University, in our required Evangelism course, I practiced it, learned verses, wrote out my testimony, etc.
But, in my 37 years of wrestling with this… I have discovered something quite profound: the best method of evangelism is actually not any of these methods, but rather: abiding in Him & praying for opportunities.
Not Regurgitation, But Spirit-Led… Because It’s Him Who Does the Saving Anyway, Not Us
Now, I’m not saying it’s wrong to hand out tracts, to leave them in public restrooms or with a good tip at a restaurant. I’m not saying it’s wrong to know some good verses to point someone to when they have questions. I’m not saying it’s unwise to practice sharing your testimony with others, even.
But think about how YOU met Jesus. How personal it was. How intimate it was, as if God just spoke the words right into your heart through someone else.
What does that tell you? Was it a formula? Or was it the Holy Spirit waking up your heart to the truth of your sin, & your need of a Savior?
Now think about the Bible. Is there a prescribed outline or formula in the Bible for sharing the Gospel with others? If there was one formula, don’t you think God would have had the wisdom to share it with us?
But over & over is talked about prayer, submission to Him, surrender to Him, faith in Him, reliance upon Him… abiding in Him.
The Best Method of Evangelism? Abiding in Him & Praying for Opportunities
So, the best way to evangelize,or share how Jesus came to earth as God-come-as-man, to live a sinless life, & to die on the cross, taking on the wrath of God reserved for us… would be to abide in Him & to pray for opportunities.
If you are ABIDING IN HIM, aka reading & studying the Bible consistently & regularly, thinking about His Word day & night as you go through your life… & if you are talking with Him (prayer) consistently & regularly… then you are doing the best thing you can do… you are letting Him take the reins of your thoughts & actions… you are allowing His Word to be at the forefront of your mind… you are allowing His thoughts to become the way you think… you are allowing Him to speak to them through you.
And if you are living this, while praying for God to give you opportunities… well, you don’t need any special formula or very specific set of verses to regurgitate (PLEASE hide His words in your heart anyway, though! Psalm 119:11), because you have something way better to guide you: the Holy Spirit, Who knows their heart & their needs PERSONALLY.
ABIDE in HIM!!
He can guide you in what to say or do. He isn’t caught off guard ever either. He already knows what they need in order to draw them to Himself.He can use His Word that you have hidden in your heart to speak to their heart. God will use what you have already hidden in your heart.
So, if you’re intimidated, that is OKAY.But DON’T let it STOP you from sharing the best possible thing you could ever share with another person–the way to have their sins wiped clean, forgiveness, a clean slate, HOPE, & a way to Heaven to be with the God who loves them SO MUCH that not only did He knit them together in their mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), but He also sent His Son to die for their sins so that they could go to Heaven & be with Him for all eternity in absolute peace & joy, never again facing anything that could ever hurt them ever again.
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
“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)
““I [Jesus] am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Shine HOPE!!!
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
(*TUNE IN to watch this week’s LIVE STREAM (Episode 17) on my NEW YouTube Channel!! @: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleHydeOnline (*Tuesdays @6pm EST/Wednesdays @8am GUAM*)
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.
Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!
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!***)
This blog/website has been running for 7.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!
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!!
May 2026 “Hope Mail”!!
(Shown: May 2026 “Hope Mail”!!)
FOR A LIMITED TIME – Only available during the month of May 2026! Enjoy free shipping and 10% off your Hope Mail package when you subscribe every month!
Your purchase of May Hope Mail provides one day of school for a girl in an area of extreme poverty.
May’s hope mail includes the Haven Necklace, perfect for summer styling! This silver-tone pendant necklace features a sun with a dazzling CZ stone in the middle.
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!
No matter your projected confidence with this question, most, if being completely vulnerable & transparent, will admit that when the dust settles, the lights are out, they’re lying in bed staring at the ceiling… that they can’t be entirely sure.
No matter how good you have lived your life… or have tried to… something will always nag at you… something inside you will always ask, “Are you sure? Like REALLY sure?”
It’s a fair question, because the reality is quite frankly that we all are aware of all the ways we feel we never measure up… of the bad attitudes we can sometimes hide behind an innocent smile… the dumb, selfish choices we have made… the imperfections we know all too well are there in us. The blatant screwups.
The ways we have really messed things up….
The short, easy answer for every single one of us unfortunately… is, “We’re not good enough to go to heaven….” Not a single one of us is good enough, no matter how hard we may try to be.
How Much Do We Downplay the Seriousness of Our Inadequacies & Mistakes?
I think one of the most humbling books of the Bible is Numbers. “Lord, Change My Attitude,” by James MacDonald, does a great job at walking through the chapters of the book of Numbers, helping us to see the terribly harsh punishments God has used for things we count as barely a sin,such as complaining.
The first time I read through the entirety of the Old Testament, in my early twenties, I remember praying something like, “God, um… from a PR standpoint… this really does not make You look very good. If You wanted to come off as loving & compassionate… full of grace, love, & mercy… well, this is not how to do it. WHY would You include all this in the Bible?? It makes You seem so cruel! NOT loving!”
I don’t know for how long I prayed along those lines, really struggling with how harsh a picture it was painting of God & really not liking it much at all… but when His response finally came as a gentle whisper across my heart, boy was it a slap back to reality…in the gentlest way imaginable.
“I needed to show why Jesus had to die.”
WOW did that put me in my place IMMEDIATELY.
Never Trivialize Your Sin for Which Jesus Died…
You see, I don’t know about you, but I tend to trivialize certain “imperfections,” like complaining. And when I see such a harsh punishment as making the ground open up & swallow whole an entire family… well, that seems disproportionate.
But, looking at it from GOD’S perspective, we see things a little differently.
That God is PERFECT & cannot tolerate ANY sin, even the “SMALLEST” one because it mocks His perfection & holiness.
So anything short of opening up the ground & swallowing us whole for one “teeny tiny” sin is MERCIFUL.
We canNOT measure up. We could NEVER measure up. We fall short on so many different accounts that we aren’t even AWARE of.
And yet, by His MERCY, we have not been swallowed whole into the ground beneath us.
How Often Do You “Miss the Mark”?
Sin often means something akin to “missing the mark” & I think that no matter how good any of us may try to be in any area of our lives… we can’t with ABSOLUTE certainty & self-honesty, claim we hit the mark of perfection on every account over the entire course of our lives (or even just in one single day).
You are NOT GOOD ENOUGH to go to heaven. Me either. NO ONE is. No one ever HAS been & no one ever WILL be. We ALL fall short of the glory of God. PERIOD. (Romans 3:23)
So, if you feel like you are constantly on an uphill battle to be “good enough” for God… well, stop it. Stop it & surrender your heart & life to the One, Jesus Christ, Who paid for your debt on the cross & Who ROSE AGAIN, victorious over death AND your sin!!!
You canNOT “good” your way to heaven… because no matter your level of good, your good will never be good enough.
But… Jesus… HOPE
So, are we all doomed to Hell?
Without outside redemption… absolutely yes.
But… JESUS.
Christmastime, we celebrate Emmanuel, “God with us” when God, as Man, was born to us on earth so that He could die for our sins & that when we celebrate Easter, we can celebrate our risen-from-the-dead SAVIOR, REDEEMER, GOD.
Jesus is our only hope.
Jesus Paid It All, All to Him I Owe
Jesus paid it all… all to Him I owe.
He has washed me white as snow.
I am free, I am free.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.
Lord, I need You, oh I need You… every hour I need You.
He’s my One defense, my Righteousness… oh God how I need You.
By His blood, I am free.
What a precious gift He is to me.
The One, My Savior, Who has set me free.
Stop running.Listen to His knocking on your heart.
Do You Think You’re Good Enough to Go to Heaven?
Let Him come in. Let Him be your Lord. Let His blood wash your heart clean.
Jesus died so that you may live.
“… and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)
“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)
“The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy [you]. I [Jesus] have come that [you] may have life, and that [you] may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Jesus Died So That We May LIVE in HIM
Jesus died so that you could know the gift of eternal life in Heaven.
Jesus died so that you may have life, & have it more abundantly.
All to Him I owe.
Do you think you’re good enough to go to heaven? Or do you know what Jesus gave for you? Which will you choose?
Shine HOPE by turning to our One true Hope, Jesus Christ, & by telling everyone you know (& don’t) where to find the hope you have because Jesus died for you (& them).
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
(*TUNE IN to watch this week’s LIVE STREAM (Episode 16) on my NEW YouTube Channel!! @: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleHydeOnline (*Tuesdays @6pm EST/Wednesdays @8am GUAM*)
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.
Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!
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!***)
This blog/website has been running for 7.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!
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!!
Dear Darling Pouch, Handcrafted in India
(Shown: Dear Darling Pouch, handcrafted in India!)
Create dignified jobs for women in India that allow families to leave the slums when you carry this darling hand-embroidered pouch!
This adorable, beaded Dear Darling Pouch is handcrafted by women earning a fair and dignified wage for her work in India. No detail is left out with this embroidered and hand beaded pouch that showcases the amazing craftsmanship of our Artisan Partners. Crafted to look like a letter with postage, the Dear Darling Pouch is perfect for those with a wanderlust spirit.
***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!
Well, here we are on the other side of the storm. The winds have subsided. The rain has slowed. The sunshine is coming out… for some, earlier than they would hope(hot sunshine is not your welcomed friend when you don’t have access to A/C).
Last week, Guam (where we currently live) was swept over alongside a category 5 typhoon—Typhoon Sinlaku. God spared our little island, answering our cries for help by turning it away from us, but the sides of such a large & destructive typhoon is still quite destructive.
Many trees were ripped out of the ground. Some plants were stripped bare. Large trees snapped in half. Massive amounts of sand were washed over our main road. Flooding of homes happened (including our laundry room, which was fortunately recessed with a drain, making much to clean up, but gratefully not any lasting damage).
Some lost water to their homes. Most lost power. Wet flood towels struggle drying & smell up the house. Fridges begin to smell like a city dump. Trash couldn’t be taken anywhere. Laundry couldn’t be done.
Eating out of cans. Or granola bars… anything from the pantry.
Glimmers
But restaurants have begun to open. Some homes have countertop gas stoves they can use to cook. Clean-up efforts began. Gasoline supplies are sufficient. Power crews are working inhuman amounts of hours. Water crews are working to restore well water reserves. Stores are now mostly open. Kids are going back to school today in some schools, while some may not get to return to school at all based on the massive damage. Everyone is doing all they can to restore normalcy to our island home.
We spent the afternoon the other day with me just using the push broom to sweep off all the buildup of mushy mud & leaves from our driveway (it was like walking through a shallow swamp to get to our cars).
My husband climbed the ladder to our flat roof to clear the drains so our rooftop “swimming pool” could drain.
Then he cleared broken branches, massive palm fronds, & small fallen trees from the yard.
Little by little. Step by step.
Normalcy Rebuilds Slowly
Now, after 5.5 days, we finally got our power back!(Much improved from our 2 months without after our last super typhoon!)
Dishes that had merely been rinsed got washed. All mildewy cleaning towels from the flooding got washed with a large splash of vinegar. Floors got mopped. Fridge got cleaned. A/C is ON.
The foul smells are reducing. The fresh (COOL) air in our home is returning.And we can finally drink cold water at home again!
No, living through a major typhoon is not fun, but I will say that God gave me so much grace through this one.And now we watch as the island rebuilds step by step, little by little.
This Time, I Knew Better What to Expect, & I Prayed Up
When Typhoon Mawar hit us 2 years ago (our 1st of 2 super typhoons to come to Guam in 2 years), I was so ill-prepared. Mainly emotionally ill-prepared.
I had been through SO MANY typhoons, it had begun to feel like, “yeah, yeah, here comes another one.”Except it was NOT “just another one.” It was MASSIVE & DESTRUCTIVE like nothing I thought possible. And it lasted for what felt like FOREVER. And the aftermath was JARRING.
But with this one, I knew how bad it COULD get. I was ready for the worst. I prayed up. I asked others to pray diligently on our behalf as well. (Thank you SO MUCH if you were one of them!!!)
I believe it’s one reason why God allows struggles… it shows us that God is capable of getting us through ANYTHING, even when we have NOTHING… it gives us courage to turn to Him in any future struggle, knowing just how capable He is in the midst of any struggle we may face!
When I Did Feel Afraid… God Encouraged Me to Sing Praises to Him…
And when fear of feeling trapped indoors… of the heat & stuffy prison cell of a house it could become… of what we could lose… of no cool water to drink when I get parched & HOT… no refreshment…. When fear began to wriggle into my heart, I would PRAY.
And most times, when I obeyed & prayed, God encouraged my heart to sing praises to Him… so I did.
And as I sang, sometimes silently in my heart, the fear began to recede, replaced with peace.God was still in control.
Little by little. Step by step. That’s all that was needed from me. God was still in control.
God Hears Us… God Cares for Us
And after the worst had passed, when I was feeling discouraged by our dry/room temperature food… I found myself complaining about it. “How long is THIS going to be reality? How much of this do I have to endure with no options to eat anything else? How long will I have to eat this?!”I felt a little conviction upon my heart in the way of being reminded of the Israelites complaining during THEIR hard journey.
And God gently reminded me of the realization that He has previously taught me… that maybe, if instead of complaining about all they didn’t have… that they actually stopped & asked God to provide… maybe they would have gotten what they complained so hard about.After all, God had already gone above & beyond for them! What’s some meat to Him?!
So, I apologized for complaining vs trusting His care for me… & I prayed for it. I said, “God, I don’t know how this would ever be possible, but if in any way it is, could I please have a warm meal & a drink with ice in it? I am feeling really discouraged. If not, help me trust You through it.”
And guess what? That afternoon, my husband decided we needed to go in search of bags of ice to preserve our food as best as possible in our fridge… so on our search, we noticed the sign for Denny’s was lit… that there was a line to get seated… & before I knew it… we were seated inside with a warm meal & icy cold ice water.
Oh, what a kind God we serve!
After the Storm… When the Dust Settles… Praise GOD!
He saw me through this storm with grace to face each moment, even when my fear slipped in, He gently would remind me to stop & sing praises, & then the fear would melt away, replaced with more grace to face the next moment ahead.
He was sufficient.He cared for me. He reminded me I am not in control & that that is okay… because He IS. He reminded me to lean into Him, to trust His provision & care. He protected us.
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!
So, in follow up to last week’s post: “Where I Find Hope When Facing a Typhoon–Outside or in My Heart,” He provided. He cared for my heart. He gave me the grace to face each moment that I surrendered to Him.He reminded me to rely on Him rather than myself or anything I could or couldn’t control.He allowed me a chance to show others the HOPE He can provide if they put their faith in Him. He will work this for my good AND for His glory, because He is a good God.
He can be counted on. Put your hope on Him.
Shine HOPE by turning to Him through the storms in your life… & by letting Him shine HIS HOPE through YOUR LIFE.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
(*TUNE IN to watch this week’s LIVE STREAM (Episode 15) on my NEW YouTube Channel!! @: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleHydeOnline (*Tuesdays @6pm EST/Wednesdays @8am GUAM*)
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.
Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!
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!***)
This blog/website has been running for 7.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!
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!!
Lady Slipper Necklace-Golden (silver also available), Handcrafted in India!
(Shown: Lady Slipper Necklace-Golden, handcrafted in India. Purchase to empower women out of poverty in India!)
Create safe jobs for women in India when you shop the Lady Slipper Necklace, a stunning necklace composed of mauve crystal beads with a gold pendant featuring a botanical design and rose quartz stone. This elegant necklace is dainty and perfect to style for daily wear.
Every purchase creates safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty.
***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!
I don’t think most people could say they enjoy struggles or pain… devastation. But yet, we all face it in some form, at some point in our lives… whether we like it or not.
The past week or so, we have been prepping for a typhoon. We live on Guam, so this is not too uncommon for us, but having just survived a super typhoon merely a couple years ago, there is a little added unease understandably surrounding this one.
I can’t say I enjoy them in any form, even the “lighter” ones. The howling winds outside, debris crashing into your windows & the sides of your house. Palm trees tilted almost horizontal to the ground, bending from the intense force of strong winds. Flooding, water gushing from under your front door (& even the windows if the winds are blowing the rain hard enough their way). Dark skies. Uncertainties. Unrest.
Not a good time. Sometimes you lose water or power, have spoiled food, no lights when you’re tired of the darkness, hot humidity in a home with little air circulation. No A/C when it’s always summer heat outside. No cold water to drink to refresh yourself.
Will food run out? Will clean water run out? Will gasoline run out?
It’s hard to tell. You unfortunately cannot predict or prepare for every scenario.
It’s Hard to Look At
In thinking about all of this, it can be easy to let the threat of the typhoon outside become a typhoon inside your heart as well.(& sometimes you don’t even need an actual typhoon for your life to feel like one.)
For me, as scary as the typhoon can be (when they’re really bad ones, like a couple years ago),the aftermath pain is what scares me most.
Seeing the complete devastation, with trees ripped up, plants bare of green & color, destruction to houses & power lines, lack of power &/or water sources. Seeing the hurt all around you can feel completely overwhelming, like your brain cannot quite come to terms with how much loss you see absolutely everywhere you look.
So, what is our HOPE in something like this? When discomfort & destruction are all that surround you?
The Typhoon That Sometimes Rages through My Heart
I think of my struggle with depression throughout my lifetime. How I used to pray the same thing to God, wondering how He could possibly love me so much while allowing so much pain & heaviness to reside permanently in my heart during some seasons… no explanation, nothing to “fix,” just pain all the time with seemingly no explanation for it.
His answer surprised me when it finally came,“Think of all those who go to church on Sundays & pray before a meal & that’s all they ever experience of Me… they go through their whole lives oblivious of all that I Am & can be for them if they allow Me to be Lord over the entirety of their lives… but you, you have not been awarded that so-called luxury. You have been forced over & over & OVER again into recognizing the very real reality that you cannot indeed live your life on your own… that you NEED Me.”
Everything came into focus that day.How all of that agony & pain was not for nothing… not an ounce of it was ever wasted. It drew me nearer & nearer to my Savior. It forced me to recognize my need of Him vs lulled into believing I could live life my way, by my own strength &/or wisdom. By my own power.
We’re Not the Ones in Control after All
The typhoon is similar. It’s scary. It will probably destroy a lot. It will not be fun. The aftermath will be even harder… but it will be a reminder….
We are not the ones in control—HE IS.
May it draw others into the arms of Jesus, too, to see where all their needs are met. To see Who holds the power… Who holds the HOPE.
And beyond that, come what may, in whatever pain I may face, outside the walls of my home, or within the walls of my heart… may it be a beacon of hope for others.
That my hope does not rest in me. It does not rest in the storm quieting. It does not rest in wishing for little-to-no destruction.
It rests in Him.
Where I Find Hope When Facing a Typhoon–Outside or in My Heart
And come what may, may He use this storm to glorify Himself through me.
That in any suffering or hurt I face, they see Him as my enough, my sufficiency, my all.
That in any suffering or hurt I may face, they see that God is in control. God holds the authority & the power & the HOPE.
May God use it for them to see in me their own need for HIM.
To God be the glory, forever & ever… even in the face of the storm. Amen.
Hope in the Storm
And that is why I can have HOPE in this storm.Not because I will enjoy it, but because I know He will not waste it. He can use my experience with it to help others see their need for Him. He can draw others to Himself through it. He can draw me closer to Him as my help & my refuge, my very present help in time of need.
To God be the glory! The One Whom the winds & the waves obey!
“So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Matthew 8:28)
Shine HOPE by turning to Him in & out of the storms in your life, whether they be threats of winds & waves outside, or in your heart. God is in control.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble….” (Psalm 46:1)
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
(*TUNE IN to watch this week’s LIVE STREAM (Episode 14) on my NEW YouTube Channel!! @: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleHydeOnline (*Tuesdays @6pm EST/Wednesdays @8am GUAM*)
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.
Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!
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!***)
This blog/website has been running for 7.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!
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!!
Elva Crystal Necklace, Handcrafted in India!
(Shown: Elva Crystal Necklace, handcrafted by artisans in India seeking to end the cycles of poverty there! Purchase one below!)
The Elva Crystal Necklace features glass beads in shades of deep red, copper, peach, and pink with gold-tone accent beads throughout the design. The Elva Crystal Necklace is perfect for daily wear or paired with other ethical styles for a layered look.
Purchase this necklace using the Shop Here link below to help create safe jobs for women ending poverty cycles in India and creating the opportunity for them to earn a dignified income.
***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!
The funny thing about this topic is that every single one of us, no matter how surrendered to God you are, can find this happening to us. Why, because it is so easy to talk about God, but takes conscious & deliberate effort to abide in Him.
It takes effort to spend time with Him & spending quality time with Him is a great way to abide in Him.
So just checking off your “Christian checklist” is not enough.
What Does It Mean to “Abide in Him”?
First, I think it’s important to talk about what it even means to abide in Him.
John 15 is the chapter of the Bible that easily comes to mind on this & is probably where we ought to start:
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:9-11)
(*It’s important to note here, in parallel to last week’s blog post “You Cannot Out-Love God–So Stop Trying,” that keeping God’s commandments is how we abide in His love… not by living your way instead.)
Abiding means to remain or stay, along with some other definitions you can find with an easy internet search.
Not Just Doing Things “for” Him… But Actually Spending Deliberate Time WITH Him
A book I read years ago on the subject, (I believe it was by Andrew Murray), mentions how, when Jesus was alive, He talked a lot about FOLLOWING Him, but that as He was readying to leave & return to His throne in Heaven, He switched it to ABIDING in Him.
It seems so easy to go through life our way, trying to be pleasing to God, obviously, but our way… & end up not really spending time with Him.
As someone who has had close personal relationships where the friend didn’t ever take time to talk to me or spend time with me, I can say from experience that there began to not really be much of a relationship there at all. Sure, I still loved them & knew they loved me… but our relationship wasn’t very strong.
I realized in those times how God must feel when I just try to do things for Him, but never actually stop to spend time with Him. Ouch.
I can talk about Him all day, & actually get pumped up doing so… but I am missing the whole point if I neglect to actually spend real time with the One whom I keep talking about.
“Mary Has Chosen What Is Better… & It Will Not be Taken Away from Her”
The pair of sisters who always come to mind is Mary & Martha, in Luke 10:38-42.
Martha was NOT doing a bad thing. She was doing a GREAT thing, in fact—she had JESUS in her HOME & she was trying to be the best possible hostess that she could be for Him… but then, when she saw her sister just letting her do everything, just sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to Him… she understandably got pretty miffed about it. RUDE. But when she confronted Jesus about it, hoping He would jump to her defense… He gave a quite surprising response.
“Mary has chosen what is better & it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42)
We can get SO caught up in DOING for Jesus & TALKING about Jesus, that we can miss the thing that is far better—Spending TIME with Jesus.
Talking about Jesus Is Not the Same Thing as Abiding in Him
Do you spend time with Him? Do you, so to speak, spend time at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him, learning from Him? Do you talk to Him/pray without ceasing? (He hears every thought, you know.)(1 Thessalonians 5:17)Do you read His Word, the Bible, & think over His Words day & night? (Joshua 1:8)Do you take time to thank Him?(Romans 1:21; Psalm 136:1)Do you praise & worship Him?(Psalm 103:1; Psalm 150:6)
What priority does He have in your thoughts? In your day? Do you turn to Him in every need? In every need of wisdom & direction? Of peace? Strength? Help? Hope? Do you ABIDE in Him?
Is He the One to Whom you turn when you have need?Do you talk to Him even when there is no present need?
Talking ABOUT Jesus is NOT the same thing as ABIDING in Him.
Shine TRUE Hope by taking time with Him, learning from Him, getting to know & love Him better every single day–the worthiest pursuit of all!!
Remember…!
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
(*TUNE IN to watch this week’s LIVE STREAM (Episode 13) on my NEW YouTube Channel!! @: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleHydeOnline (*Tuesdays @6pm EST/Wednesdays @8am GUAM*)
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.
Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!
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!***)
This blog/website has been running for 7.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!
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!!
April 2026 “Hope Mail” Handcrafted in India!
FOR A LIMITED TIME – Only available during the month of April!
Subscriptions, enjoy free shipping and 10% off your Hope Mail package when you subscribe every month!
Your purchase of April Hope Mail provides one day of school for a girl in an area of extreme poverty.
April’s hope mail includes the elegant, soft pink Peacock Mini Pouch. Each velvet mini pouch features a stunning, embroidered peacock and is handcrafted in a workshop committed to fighting child marriage and teaching women about their ability to become financially independent in an area that does not value their true worth.
Purchase this month’s Hope Mail to create 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!
