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)

***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)***

NEW!! Watch This Week’s Episode on YouTube:

(*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!

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.

So, what has changed? Well, if you read my post last week (“You Give & You Serve, But Are You Nourished? “Abide in Me,””) you already have an idea….

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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)

***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)***

NEW!! Watch This Week’s Episode on YouTube:

(*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!

*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!

It’s Just Not Taught as Important as It Really Is

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)

Abide

“How to Do the Things We Know We Should Do, But Just Can’t”

“Talking about Jesus Is Not the Same Thing as Abiding in Him”

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)

***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)***

NEW!! Watch This Week’s Episode on YouTube:

(*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!

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!

Do You Bow to the Word of God? Or to Self?

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)

***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)***

NEW!! Watch This Week’s Episode on YouTube:

(*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!

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)

Even if they really think they’re a good person… as we talked about last week, your good will never be good enough. (Read that post, here: “Do You Think You’re Good Enough to Go to Heaven?”)

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)

***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)***

NEW!! Watch This Week’s Episode on YouTube:

(*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”!!

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!

So Easy to Do… So Easy to Miss Out

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)

***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)***

NEW!! Watch This Week’s Episode on YouTube:

(*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!

Don’t Underestimate the Value of God’s Word

While the Bible is a great guidebook to life, as it is written (inspired) by God Himself Who knows all things… we shouldn’t look at or come to the Bible just as that… but rather to come to it to know the One Who wrote it.

You see, God isn’t looking to create just moral people… He wants people to know & love Him, to live for His glory above all else.

But how can we do that without knowing His Word?

Instead of Do’s & Don’ts… Come to KNOW HIM

A very helpful trick I’ve learned when I read my Bible is to look at every verse from the perspective of: “What does this teach me about Who God is?”

You cannot imagine the richness this can bring to even the hardest text to get through (Leviticus anyone?) because it goes from learning infinite measurement details to now seeing that God is extremely detail oriented. He doesn’t just leave it up to us to figure out. He is specific & knows all of the specifics. We can count on Him to help with the details.

It really helps make even the most seemingly mundane passages come to life, because it can teach you more about Who God is. It can help you to see His eternal character, His pursuit of us, & the great lengths He is willing to go to to forgive & restore us to Himself, no matter the cost.

How He never hangs our wrongs over our heads… just crying out to Him, admitting our need for Him… & all is instantly forgiven. What a gracious, compassionate, patient, kind God we serve! That despite the utter wretchedness of our sin against Him, He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay that debt for us who believe on Him for it!

He is far worth getting to know. He deserves our all because He gives His all & holds all authority on Heaven & earth. Praise God!

Look for Hints of Who He Is… Seek to KNOW Him

Look for hints on how God feels about our sin—like in Numbers 16, as well as the fact that they are so despicable that Jesus had to die a gruesome death in order to pay for them on our behalf. (Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18; Isaiah 53; John 3:16-17)

Look for how God responds to certain prayers & petitions. Notice God’s promises so you know you can have confidence in your prayers.

Look for the compassion God shows through fears & hurts.

Look for the repeated calls to repentance, even from Jesus with His constant responses of “Go & sin no more.”

Look for how God supplies & provides.

Look for how quick He is to forgive when we cry out to Him as our HOPE after getting ourselves in a really big mess we can’t get ourselves out of. (Like Psalm 107 or Luke 15:11-31)

And KEEP Looking!

Look for how He expects us to steward His provisions, our bodies, the church, & lives all around us… our time & resources.

Look for how He asks us to love, whether it’s enemies or strangers or anyone really.

Look for how He feels about you… His thoughts about you… what you mean to Him… what He gave up for you.

Look for hints of His character.

Look for what pleases Him.

Look for what He offers to you as you lean into Him.

Look for the life He created for us & intended for us pre-Fall.

Learn about His love that He expressed for you by sending Jesus to die on the cross & rise again for your sins.

Learn about His Kingship & authority.

His eternal nature… His hand in all of creation… in knitting you together in your mother’s womb… His plan that spans all eternity…

Get to Know It, Get to Know HIM–Read Your Bible

Don’t just read the words to read the words. Don’t do it to check off some imaginary “Christian” checklist.

Don’t do it to “be a good person.” Or because it’s “what God expects from you.” Don’t do it thinking it earns you more favor from God as earning your own way to heaven.

Don’t get caught up in how many chapters you “ought” to read or in “having to read through it in a year.”

Just READ it! THINK on it! LIVE it!

Do it to get to know the God Who wrote it.

Do it to fall more in love with the God Who loves you more than anyone else… more than you could ever BEGIN to comprehend.

Do it because He wants you to. He wants you to know Him. He KNOWS you NEED it, even if it just feels optional to you. He made a point to have it inspired into text that has been passed down, translated, printed, & in your hands for a REASON.

Do it to know the God Who made you.

“But by Every Word That Proceeds Out of the Mouth of GOD.”

Do it because we don’t live by bread alone, but by every word from the mouth of God. Food nourishes our bodies (or can/should)… the Bible nourishes our SOUL.

“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:4)

It is literal SUSTENANCE for your soul. I saw a quote on social media that said something like, “If you only ate on Sundays, you wouldn’t live very long.” Read that again.

Feeling restless? Antsy? Burdened? Overwhelmed? Over-encumbered by life? Angsty? Drowning? Unsettled? Alone? Hurting? Read the Words of God & nourish your soul with the Words of GOD.

I know it seems like it’s just more reading… but it’s NOT JUST MORE READING. God’s Word has POWER!

Get to know IT…. Get to know HIM.

Let Him nourish your soul through the power of His Word.

Shine HOPE by getting to know the God Who gives it… by getting to know His Word (the Bible).

“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)***

NEW!! Watch This Week’s Episode on YouTube:

(*TUNE IN to watch this week’s LIVE STREAM (Episode 8) on my NEW YouTube Channel!! @: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleHydeOnline (*Tuesdays @5pm 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!!

March 2026 “Hope Mail”

Your purchase of March Hope Mail provides one day of school for a girl in an area of extreme poverty.   

Enjoy the subtle, sophisticated style of the Blush Fan Earrings when you shop Hope Mail this month! These gorgeous Blush Fan 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 blush pink glass set in a gold-tone frame with a creamy white fan dangle charm, 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!

Sometimes We Can Forget to Pray about It

This topic has been in my queue for a while, & today seems to be the day.

Recently, I have started meeting with a friend of mine to pray weekly together, to serve as sort of my prayer accountability. It’s been so good & so encouraging to me.

While I do pray regularly, all throughout my day talking to God about stuff as it comes up or thanking Him as I see His hand in something… when something hurts me, angers me, or upsets me significantly… avoidance of the resulting feelings becomes my go-to gut response… not good.

You see, something has trickled into my heart. Something that has been trickling into my heart for the past 15 years… something I talked about in a blog post a few years ago, with: “My ‘Anti-Word’ for 2024–‘VICTIM.’”

I have allowed people’s opinions (judgments) of me make me feel smaller & smaller over the years.

When I Should Have Prayed… I Shrank

I SHOULD have prayed over them, trusting God to help me parse through between facts & opinions, but instead, I took them all as hits to my character & my identity. And I became smaller & smaller as a result.

Looking back, I can see how Satan saw a threat & he was smarter than me in knowing how to convince me to just keep my mouth shut & to shrink vs taking a stand for truth & being bold in my faith & obedience to God, even if it rubbed some people the wrong way.

God still allowed it to be a growing season for me in many different ways, as He never wastes our struggles or mistakes… but boy was it a rough ride when it didn’t really need to be.

I could have surrendered all of it to God for review. Instead, I got hurt & I shrank.

And, all these years later after recognizing this… I am still working to rebuild back to the bolder living-for-Jesus girl I once was.

All because I didn’t pray about it whenever it happened.

I Have Built Hurtful Habits… That I Desperately Need to Re-Write

And now, when someone says something hurtful or misunderstands me & judges me based on that misunderstanding or just plain doesn’t like me for whatever reason, I find myself shutting down all over again… it’s now my built-in, practiced, go-to gut response to it. I take it personally. I get hurt.

Not only do I get hurt, but I shut down when I get hurt.

I think about death a lot, to be honest.

Not suicidal as I have been 20 years ago, but definitely praying God would just let me skip the rest & straight shot it to heaven so I don’t ever have to feel that hurt ever again. I don’t like it one bit.

So, God encouraged me to reach out to a friend He placed on my heart so we can start retraining my brain’s reflexes to pray vs quit… pray vs avoid… pray vs shut down… pray for help vs praying for heaven.

No longer allowing the hurt to run the narrative. No longer allowing the hurt to trump who I am in Christ & the life He calls me to live for Him.

He Defines Me… His Opinion Matters Most

I am not perfect by any means. I am fully aware of my imperfections, temptation areas, mistakes, failures, wanderings, shortcomings….

But I am His. He made me. He had my days written before a single one came to be. He is bigger than me. He can fill in my gaps. It’s not about me being enough, but about Him being enough. It’s not about everyone liking me, but about me living to please Him. It’s not about everyone agreeing with me or liking what I say, it’s about being faithful to God’s leading, & about speaking truth (in love), even when it is very much unpopular. And when it comes to either people-pleasing vs God-pleasing, I should never choose other people OVER God.

Even when it causes other Christians to feel uncomfortable with it.

I am accountable to God alone, first & foremost. And as long as I live as His servant, speaking His truth in love, seeking to honor, love, obey, & please Him… then nothing else nor anybody else’s opinions really ought to matter to me.

Having My Focus Fixed on Him

Bowing all the dislikes, the hurtful words, the judgments, the slander, the misunderstandings… all of satan’s attacks… to God as the One deserving of my all despite all of that.

Not quitting, but praying.

Not shutting down, but praying.

Not staying silent, but praying.

Not growing bitter, but praying.

Not taking my eyes off my mission to live for Christ, despite all opinions of me, but praying.

Which Do You Let Rule Your Life? Anxiety or Prayer?

I have the habit of running far away from the uncomfortable, as far away as I can get. I drown it in comfort-seeking activities, like my favorite video games, social media scrolling, snacking, or binging tv.

Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.

But what I ought to be doing is taking it all, every single bit of it… to Him in prayer. To allow Him to fix my focus, to settle my heart, to grant me courage to carry on, to not allow any other’s opinions of me to define me.

I ought to pray.

I heard a quote once & I don’t know who said it, but boy did it land. He said something to the affect of: “Why is it hardest to pray when life is at its hardest? Because when we pray, we’re forced to think on & acknowledge the hard… but that’s when we need to be praying the most, because God is our hope in it.”

Where Do You Turn When Life Hits You HARD? What Is Your Go-To Gut Response? Do You Need a Re-Focus?

We need wisdom only He can give. We need perspective only He can supply.

We need courage only He can bolster. We need comfort when the world withholds it.

We need strength only His endless power can provide.

We need to pray.

Which do you let rule your life? Anxiety or prayer?

Let’s rewrite those habits. Anxie…. PRAY. Fea….. PRAY. DON’T LET THEM IN. Pray!

Shine HOPE by learning to take every hurt, every anxiety, every fear, every worry, every misunderstanding, every other person’s judgment… to HIM in prayer. Let HIM rule your life instead of any of THAT.

“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)***

NEW!! Watch This Week’s Episode on YouTube:

(*TUNE IN to watch this week’s LIVE STREAM (Episode 7) on my NEW YouTube Channel!! @: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleHydeOnline (*Tuesdays @5pm 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!!

Gingko Leaf Earrings (Silver)–Handcrafted in India!

When you shop the Ginkgo Earrings, you are creating safe jobs for women in areas of extreme poverty in India. These stunning, sculpted earrings are the perfect fair-trade fashion statement! Each silver-tone Ginkgo Earring features two connected ginkgo-shapes to create the beautiful dangle earring! These earrings are also available in a gold-tone finish.  

***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!

Rejoicing in the Midst of Trials

Something that I misunderstood most of my life was the idea of rejoicing in the midst of trials.

To me, it felt like it implied that I must feel happy while also dealing with intense struggling, & that, if I couldn’t get myself to be (or pretend) to be happy, then I was living as a bad testimony for God… that I wasn’t trusting in Him enough…. That I wasn’t a good enough Christian.

Well, imagine how much shame that has brought on me over the years as a now grown woman who has struggled through seasons of depression for most all of her life. When I am going through an intensely dark season of my life, I feel no happy... I barely feel anything at all….

Constantly feeling like a failure to God, as if I just couldn’t be good enough to fake it or feel it well enough to “prove” I trusted God “enough” through those darkest of seasons was a hugely heavy burden to carry, on top of already feeling like my consistently downcast mental state alone was a hugely heavy burden for everyone else in my life to carry.

But, thankfully, God has taught me a little something about rejoicing in Him through trials over the years.

It Does Not Mean Pretending to be Happy

You see, what a wonderfully freeing thing it is to realize that rejoicing in trials does not mean pretending to be happy at all times in those trials.

But rather, something much sweeter, richer, & more real than that.

God sees me at my worst. I don’t have to ever pretend for Him, because He already sees it all anyway. He knows the real, deep-down ME.

I never have to be fake with God. He can handle my heavy burdens just fine for the both of us.

And implying the supposed falsehood that to be a good testimony for Him, I have to come off as perfect at all times is implying that the focus ought to be on my own perfection in order to somehow prove His sufficiency.

Rather, in those moments of complete & utter weakness, I have found something beautiful.

As I am feeling frail, hurting, barely holding myself together… the rejoicing comes in the form of remembering.

Taking Time to REMEMBER… & to Praise Him for WHO He Is… Despite How I’m Feeling

Sometimes even as I cry, I sit & remember all He has done for me… all He has sustained me through… & I thank Him… I praise Him that He always shows to have a plan, even when I can’t see it at the time… that He never wastes a single hurt, even when I don’t see how He ever could use it… & that He 100% ALWAYS works everything out for BOTH His glory AND my GOOD.

He holds me together when I feel like I’m falling apart.

He infuses peace in my heart when all the pieces fall around me.

He carries me when I can’t carry myself.

He protects me when I feel too weak to stand.

He cares for me when it feels like no one else does or could.

He has compassion for me no matter how little I may deserve it.

He is my strong tower when the winds of life rage around me.

He wraps His arms of love around me, even when I feel too unlovable.

He gives me HOPE in the midst of the most hopeless.

And in all those things, EVEN WHEN the pain doesn’t quit… I can rejoice through my pain. I can praise Him through my hurts.

True Rejoicing Does Not Have to FEEL Happy

I can trust Him.

I can rejoice in Him, even in & through the pain.

I don’t have to pretty up my pain or get over it in order to rejoice genuinely, but rather, I can display even better His glory by rejoicing in Him even in the even if.

I am allowed to both grieve the effects of sin & therefore, brokenness, in this world, while also simultaneously recognizing & rejoicing that God is still on His throne, He cannot & will not ever be thwarted. He will have the final say. He will be magnified. He will get the glory He deserves.

I can feel hurt & sad while also recognizing & rejoicing in the HOPE I have because of what Jesus did for me on the cross for my sins.

What Matters Is How You Choose to Respond to Your Pain… Not That You Pretend You Don’t Feel Pain…

I think where the confusion comes from is instead what we choose to do with the pain & hurts that we feel that scares people into being scared of admitting they are feeling negative feelings.

If you are dwelling only on the pain & intently choosing NOT to rejoice UNLESS it’s all fixed & prettied up… there’s a problem.

If you are allowing your pain to help you justify a root of bitterness springing up within your heart… there’s a problem.

If you are using your hurt as an excuse to slander someone else’s reputation, or to gossip about them behind their back… there’s a problem.

If your hurt tempts you into believing you need to seek elsewhere for hope… & you begin to listen to & obey that little temptation… there’s a problem.

If you refuse to have gratitude because of your hurt… there’s a problem.

If you rebel against God & obedience to Him because of your hurt… there’s a problem.

But the feeling hurt is not the problem… it is a result of the pain brought on by living in a broken world, of grieving things not being the ideal that God originally intended when He created the world… before we allowed sin to enter the picture.

And sometimes, it’s just the consequence of our own sin… a call to come back to the forgiving, gracious, loving arms of Jesus. Not a place to STAY, but a force to push you back to the only place where you will ever find true HOPE.

Let the pain draw you back to Him.

Let the Pain Draw You Ever into the Arms of Jesus

You know, I used to be so frustrated & confused & hurt at how God could allow someone (AKA me) to endure intense seasons of pain that felt source-less & meaningless… pain that sometimes felt like it would never ever end.

But, after years of praying over it, through my many seasons of great darkness… crying while crying out to God for help… I have seen things more clearly….

That because of those many seasons of darkness, where I couldn’t even see a source of it sometimes… only senseless pain… I learned the most unimaginably beautiful truth.

That, because of those many seasons of intensely dark pain, I had been repeatedly & constantly thrown ever into the arms of Jesus. My desperation demanded it. My heart needed it like air to breath. Suicidal thoughts were a regular companion of mine in some dark seasons, but God’s compassionate arms pulled me in over & over & over & over & over again, even when I couldn’t get myself to pick myself back up again.

In ALL Things… In EVERY Season… God Is SUFFICIENT… & in That… I CAN REJOICE!!

I learned that I can count on Him at my absolute worst. I learned that even when I have absolutely NOTHING to contribute… He is sufficient. I learned that I can count on Him EVEN IF nothing ever got better. I learned that I can count on the fact that He never EVER wastes even a single OUNCE of my pain, but ALWAYS uses it for BOTH His glory & my good. I learned that He is consistently sufficient in my every personal lack of sufficiency.

I learned that He is ENOUGH. And that His grace will carry me through even the worst hurts imaginable… even when it feels there is no & could never be any hope… I find that Hope in Him.

And in that… even when I don’t feel happy… I can rejoice.

Shine HOPE by turning every hurt & heartache into an opportunity to seek your sufficiency, your fulfillment, & your HOPE in HIM ALONE… & REJOICE in Him through every bit of it!!

“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)***

NEW!! Watch This Week’s Episode on YouTube:

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!!

February 2026 Monthly “Hope Mail” (Made by Artisan Women in INDIA)

FOR A LIMITED TIME – Only available during the month of February! Enjoy free shipping and 10% off your Hope Mail package when you subscribe every month!  

Your purchase of February Hope Mail provides one day of school for a girl in an area of extreme poverty.    

Featured in this month’s Hope Mail is the Carnation Sunset Earrings. These detailed, hand beaded earrings are handcrafted by women in a workshop committed to fighting child marriage and creating dignified jobs for women in India. Each drop earring uses traditional embroidery and hand beading details to show off our Artisan Partners craftmanship and create this stunning carnation design in a gold-tone frame.

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 You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY 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!

Always a Work-in-Progress

I am going to be a little vulnerable with you today in admitting something that I am embarrassed to admit.

In all my many years of trusting on Jesus to pay my debt before God… since I was 5… I have struggled with something that, for a long time, I didn’t even realize was anything to worry about at all.

But recently, as I read my Bible, God has been slowly revealing to me something that I feel a lot of people are actually missing: ministry isn’t ONLY supposed to be something pre-arranged or pre-planned.

What do I mean by that? I mean that ministry is meant to be an all day, every day type of thing. It is not just “I serve in children’s church on Sunday, every other month,” or, “I help with the ladies’ prison ministry once a week,” or, “I run my own website & a weekly blog.”

And while, yes, it does honor God for me to be doing those things… it shouldn’t be where my ministry stops.

AS You Go… Not Just on Sundays

When I read the Bible, I see a lot more examples of what the Bible says: “Go & make disciples…” verse (Matthew 28:19-20) that is really saying, “AS you go… make disciples.” It is not once a destination is reached, but an “on the way” type of command.

I see that sort of ministry demonstrated far more than any organized, pre-arranged type of ministry happening.

Yes, it is good to set regular times, carving out designated time to do ministry consistently throughout the week, but it ought not stop there.

Do I live like that? No, not really.

Look Up… & See PEOPLE

I was taught by life to keep my head down, mind my own business, go in/get out with errand-running, don’t talk to strangers, don’t bother other people, “stranger danger.” It is pretty engrained in me to not engage with strangers, in other words.

And, as one example, in looking at the “Good Samaritan” story, in Luke 10:25-37, it is so easy to be judgy toward those religious leaders who just snub a bloodied, beaten-up dude on the side of the road, dying from his injuries & them just self-righteously refusing to lift a finger to help….

But isn’t that me every single day?

There are broken people all around me. I don’t seek to help a single one.

What Would Jesus Do? What Should WE Do?

If I were to see that man, I would walk as FAR an arc around him as possible. Maybe he got beat up because HE was the perpetrator. Maybe he is dangerous. Maybe the guys who did it are still close by.

I don’t want to risk my life. My safety.

And being a WOMAN on top of all the potential dangers involved? Makes me even MORE vulnerable to attack.

Nuh-uh, no thanks, “I have to be smart about it” is what I tell myself.

“Don’t be stupid.” “God gave us common sense for a reason.” “Don’t put yourself in harms way, you have to protect yourself & stay SAFE…” is what I tell myself.

As if God doesn’t know how to care for me. As if I can’t trust His judgment if He nudges me toward someone in need. As if my safety is more important than someone else’s. As if I wouldn’t be crying & despairing for someone to help ME if that were me in that situation.

What Would You Have Done?

I watched a video the other day of a woman sharing her story. She was in major pageants & was leaving or arriving at some swanky event when she was approached by 5 armed men who tried to abduct her. I don’t remember how she got away, but when she did, she was sure she’d get shot in the back as she fled through BUSY WITH PEOPLE streets. Running up to cars, begging for help… they closed their windows & drove off. No one would dare help this crazed woman who was really running for her LIFE. Until one brave young lady, with a little one in the backseat, opened her door & said, “GET IN.”

Would I have been that brave? I don’t think I would. Especially if I hadn’t seen the abduction attempt & thought maybe she was on drugs or something.

I wouldn’t have helped her.

I would have protected myself first.

I wouldn’t have helped that beaten, bloodied, left-for-dead man, either.

I would have protected myself first.

Seek the Lost, Love the Broken… As Jesus Did for You

Even in less life-threatening examples, I assume the worst could be true, & I turn/look the other way.

And in completely HARMLESS situations, I don’t DARE bother someone but keep my head down & eyes on the task. Blurring everyone around me out of view/thought.

Shame. On. Me.

“They’re busy… they don’t want to be bothered.” “I don’t want to seem annoying.” “What if I sound like a crazy person?” “What if I make someone uncomfortable?” “What if they don’t want my help?”

But God KNOWS their heart, doesn’t He? He doesn’t need to guess.

So, why do I question Him then…?

Organic Ministry–Do You Put Ministry in a Box?

I want to LIVE ministry. I want to keep my eyes on the lookout for every opportunity.

I want my errands to be treated as opportunities. I want to pray for God to help me see people as PEOPLE vs just blurs in my peripheral.

I want to make eye contact smile at people as they pass by. I want people to know they are seen & not forgotten/alone. I want to live as a testimony even to strangers. I want to be kind when kindness is unexpected. I want to be willing to step in to help when I see a struggle. I want to be gentle & gracious when someone is frustrated & rushed. I want to be willing to say “hello.” I want to be willing to speak up when God prompts me to say more.

I want to learn to love more costly… sacrificially… not just when it seems easy or convenient to me.

God Gives Grace in Our Growing

But, I know… God gives me grace in my growing… God knows how imperfect I am… God doesn’t NEED me… God gives grace upon grace upon grace… God can grow me where I lack… I am never too little for Him, because He is great enough for the both of us… God can shape me… God never gives up on me…. God can where I CAN’T.

God knows I would be crushed utterly under the weight of all my imperfections, my faults & failures, my flesh & its forever-temptation to wander & seek SELF above all else.

THANK GOD for His long-suffering patience & grace & sovereignty in the face of ALL my LACK. PRAISE GOD!!!

A Prayer for Growing in Organic Ministry… An “Every Day, Everywhere” Type of Ministry

How grateful I am to Him that I can bring this to Him & say, “God, wow how much I lack. It’s like every day you reveal more & more how much I need You to prune my life & make me more like Jesus. How much I fall short! And yet, Your grace meets me right there. Thank You for NEVER giving up on me. Grow me in this. Teach me how to SEE people. Teach me to follow & trust Your nudges. Help me to put myself on a limb to rescue others. Help me to be bold with Your grace for others. Help me to love other people as You see & love them. Help me to count their salvation & life more valuable than my own life, even. Grow me to be & do ministry more like Jesus. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

What about You?

Do you struggle with this, too? Am I alone in this?

In what ways do you see yourself needing to grow in this area? Are you willing to take it to God & ask Him to grow & shape you to be equipped to do ministry more as an everyday, everywhere type of ministry? Are you courageous enough to ask Him? If not, start there & pray for the courage to ask Him for help.

Has God grown you some in this already? Teach me. Give me tips on where to start, on how to change my perspective & my habits. Teach me to love strangers like Jesus would.

And pray for me in this… & pray for you, too.

Let your ministry be in your home… parenting… how you treat & support your spouse… your jobsite… people you see at the grocery store…. Where else can you think of that can be your ministry field?

Shine HOPE by doing ministry wherever you are, not just on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, or some other church-orchestrated event. Make your life your ministry field.

“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)***

NEW!! Watch This Week’s Episode on YouTube:

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!!

Love Candy Heart Pouch (Handcrafted in India)

Create dignified jobs for women in India that allow families to leave the slums when you buy this adorable Love Candy Heart Pouch! This adorable, beaded 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. Featuring “LOVE” spelled out in block letters, every purchase supports families in areas of extreme poverty 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 You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY 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!