Surrender to God Brings Joy

Last week, we talked about how we ought to surrender to God’s plan when it contradicts our own will. (Read that post, here: “Surrender to God When His Plan Contradicts Yours”) But really, to find true joy in life, everything in our life requires surrender… every little bit of it.

The wonderful thing about that fact is the truth that as we surrender to God’s will & His help in every little thing, big or small, we begin to take so much of the weight & burden off our own shoulders & place it on His very capable, inexhaustible shoulders (Matthew 11:28-30).

Everything takes surrender, whether it be a bad attitude, feeling gloomy or frustrated or even days where you feel like rolling your eyes at everything… & even on a good day, when you think you have it all together & you’re just rockin’ it—because doing what seems right in our own eyes, no matter how righteous it seems, will ALWAYS fall short of deferring to God in any given moment. We need Him.

Let’s go through some areas that require daily surrender.

Rise & Shine? Or Waking Up with the Grumpies?

When I begin my day, it’s my morning attitude & sleepy grumpiness that I must surrender first. My alarm goes off & I confess, my initial response is NOT “Riiise & shiiine, & give God the glory, glory!!” (Anyone else have camp leaders sing that to your hall every morning… oh LORD, I needed to pray for patience & grace those mornings!)

But, NO, that is not my usual first feeling. Normally, I groan in disgust, pinch my eyes shut in annoyed defiance to the required wakeup time, roll out of bed slowly, unwillingly… & pray something like, “God, I’m sorry. Please forgive my bad attitude. I am SO tired I just want to go back to sleep! Please help me honor You today & help my attitude get in shape this morning. Help me not ruin my own day with my own bad attitude. Help me give You glory today instead. AMEN.”

Surrender.

God Asked Me to Do It, But _____________________

Sometimes the need for surrender comes in those moments where I feel an annoying little nudge-prompting from God to do something that intimidates me or something for which I feel ill-equipped. My heart rears back & I feel fear & defiance & anxiety take root.

It’s when I feel too busy to handle it… or too easily distractable… or too worn out… or too ________________________. Distractions & inadequacies & obstacles seem to come in every shape or form when I feel anxious about something God asks of me.

And then God whispers over my heart the reminder that whatever He asks of me, whether a habit I need to get to making, or an area of obedience I am avoiding, or a task to speak to or help someone… no matter what it is… HE will take care of the details & the how. I just have to be willing to say, “Yes, Lord. Show me how. You know this scares or intimidates me because I want to be honoring to You, but practically, I don’t know how to do this. But if it’s something that honors You, I need to remember that You WILL help me to do it if I just be willing to let You. Don’t let any obstacle or limitation keep me from trusting You can make it happen anyway. Show me how & give me the strength to do it… & I will do it. AMEN.”

Surrender.

Love & Pray for My ENEMIES?

Or, here’s a good one. You know the verse that says to “love our enemy & pray for those who persecute us?” (Luke 6:27-36) Sometimes someone is straight up RUDE to me & they know it & they just don’t care one bit. Or, they are completely & utterly CLUELESS to how their bad attitude is being directed at me & so don’t feel the need to apologize at all.

Is my natural reaction to love & pray for them? NO! A BIG no. I want to throat punch them & tell them to shape up. I want to DEMAND the injustice & unkindness be righted.

What I DON’T want… is to be gracious (remember, by DEFINITION, grace is UNdeserved.)

I have to take a deep breath, swallow my righteous anger (because really, I have a right to be angry, but God instructs us to be angry & NOT SIN. (AKA no hatred & yes to loving them & praying for them instead), (Ephesians 4:26-32) & I have to stop & pray: “God… GOD… You saw that. I know You heard what they said & that You feel the hurt it caused me. I want it made RIGHT! I want justice. I want an apology. I want to scream. But I know bitterness & grudges & bottling up my anger doesn’t please You. You want me to love them & pray for them. HOW?!? Help me forgive them. Help me give grace. Help me remember I am just as in need of grace as they. Help me to leave it in Your hands & trust You to handle it. Show me how I can possibly love them. Teach me how. Love them through me & teach me to pray for them versus stewing in it or slandering them over it. Please help me. AMEN.”

Surrender.

So Many Things Don’t Go My Way… & Surprisingly, That Always Ends Up Being a Good Thing

And then there are my plans & goals & dreams, like I talked about last week. Sometimes God says “no.” Sometimes He says, “not right now” & sometimes the “when”not right now” seems so far off or so unclear that you’re not even sure if maybe it’s actually a NO. And it hurts.

Maybe it’s lacking a relationship & you wonder if you’ll be single forever (been there), watching your younger siblings & friends get married while you are yet to have any true prospects (again, been there). Everyone else seems to be enjoying marital bliss but you.

Or maybe it’s a job or career path that ever seems to be slipping out of your grasp or you feel like you’re floating through life, still completely unsure of “what you want to be when you grow up.” Everyone else seems to have it figured out but you. (I can also relate).

Maybe it’s wanting children, but every month you are hit again with the realization that it won’t be this time around. And that happens over & over & over again & you wonder why it seems God won’t answer that for you. Everyone else seems to have a happy family with game nights & camping trips & time with cousins… but you arrive childless to every family gathering. (That was my heart hurt for MANY years, although God has grown me to appreciate the different plan He has had for us. Read about that story, here: “To the Barren Woman.”)

Maybe it’s a prolonged illness, a bad diagnosis, a terrible injury, a mental disorder, or a trauma that seems to haunt you on the daily. Everyone else seems capable & able to live life to the fullest, but you feel stuck, missing out & held back against your will.

I could go through so many maybes, but the truth is, sometimes life just doesn’t happen the way we so, SO want it to.

And that takes surrender. Surrendering to GOD’S will when it seems so opposite your own. DETERMINING to cling to Him & trust His GOODNESS, to trust HIM. No matter what.

True Joy Comes in Living a Life of Surrender

EVERY decision He makes, as absolute authority over heaven & earth is ALWAYS meant for BOTH His glory & your GOOD. Always. 100%.

True joy comes in living a life of surrender, whether it’s my attitude, or little choices in how I respond or treat a situation, or being obedient to Him even when I don’t want to or it’s hard, or facing the fact that God’s plan may not line up AT ALL with mine.

It brings true joy to surrender to Him in all things because STRIVING after & CLINGING to & DEMANDING to have your way happen or that you DESERVE to feel that way or react that way… when we do that, we hurt ourselves.

Let God take on that heavy weight. And let Him carry YOU. Let Him care for & comfort you.

Say, “God, I don’t like the way this is turning out & I want to be bitter & mad at You even. I’m sorry for that, but it’s the truth. I don’t understand why You would allow this to be my life. How can You say you love me & allow this to be my life? I don’t understand. But I want to trust You. I want to trust that You’re still good & that somehow You know what You’re doing & that You’re even ENOUGH for me in this plan I DO NOT like. Help me. I really want to believe You, but it hurts so much. Help me fall back on You & know that You will be there to catch me. Help me stop striving & to start abiding in You & Your comfort & Your enoughness. Show me how. Teach me. Help my broken, bitter heart. Forgive me. Amen.”

Surrender IS Hard, But It WILL Change Your Life for the Best

It’s called surrender because it means the giving up of your way of doing or handling things, of giving up the way you’ve always wanted things to go… of choosing His will over your own.

But that’s where true & lasting joy breeds… in a surrendered-always-to-Him LIFE.

It seems nonsensical that by giving up the way we feel things should be handled or how I want MY life to go… that it will somehow make things better? But we’re not just throwing it all away to chance & then hoping at least some good will come of it, resigning to just giving up or numbing ourselves to what we want so we can bear to carry on… no, we’re ENTRUSTING that difference & contrast to an Almighty God who LOVES us so very much & Who sent Jesus to pay your debts so you could be set free from your due punishment.

He wants what is best for you & He KNOWS what is best for you… even if you think it doesn’t look very much like how you would want it… That’s a GOOD thing when you consider Who is doing the planning!

So, shine HOPE in your life by determining to choose surrender in the big & the small every single day & let HIM be GOD of your life. AMEN!

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 newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over FOUR 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!!

Kaia Earrings (Philippines)

These elegant eco-friendly earrings feature ethically sourced, sustainable, capiz shells that local families harvest from the bottom of the sea surrounding the Philippine islands. Artisans handcraft these natural capiz shells into blue ombré teardrop shapes and then wrap them in silver-tone metal frames before adding silver-tone fishhook ear wires.

Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty in the Philippines.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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!

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!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

It’s Hard to Trust Him When His Plan Goes Against Mine

Have you ever wanted something so badly that it hurts & yet your prayers seem to fall on deaf ears? You know God sees your aching heart & feels your hurt, & yet, He doesn’t answer the way you want?

Or have you gone through something so incredibly hard that you beg God for a solution or healing or an end to it… & yet none comes?

Why surrender to God when nothing is going your way? HOW can you?

Hitting a Crossroad… Sometimes Prayers Don’t Get Answered the Way That I Want

I feel like life is a constant progression of coming to these crossroads: Will I choose my will… or His when they’re very different?

First that I can remember was my depression era in high school, where I wanted to die more than anything else… I wanted the pain to stop but it just never would… like I was trapped in a broken, fractured mind that barraged me constantly with thoughts about how much of a worthless burden I was. I prayed for freedom from the constant onslaught of attacks, but none came… for two straight years, none came.

Then there was my romantic heart where any boy that was nice to me… well, I was already basically picturing what our kids would look like & what our life would be like if we ended up together. I wanted to be married more than anything else… I loved the idea of feeling completely & utterly loved… but traumas & fears caused me to run whenever it got serious… & nothing ever felt quite right… like I was chasing validation versus real, sacrificial reciprocated love. I prayed & prayed & prayed, but everything hit a dead end, watching my younger sister & younger friends all wed before I even came close… & it hurt… a lot.

And Hokkaido… the isolation… the loneliness… the culture shock waves that would knock me off my feet unexpectedly… the stress buildup that started ripping apart my threshold for stressors… snapping & crying & rage & despair & feeling trapped by the effects the stress was having on my life & not feeling able to stop it… & no one in my life seemed to understand, isolating me even more. I prayed for it to end, but it always seemed to just only get worse.

Surrender to God When His Plan Contradicts Yours

I have been through even more examples of times when nothing seemed to go my way (like not being able to get pregnant or fighting through traumas), no matter how reasonable or good intentions my pleading had, it never seemed to be enough… the agony didn’t end… the answer to my prayer seemed nonexistent… God was silent when it came to giving me what I so badly wanted.

Surrender seems the least obvious choice here. Well, maybe surrender to the despair or hopelessness… but not to God & the possibility that He may have a different plan than I do. When God withholds the way I want so desperately for things to work out, it doesn’t spark an eagerness to surrender to Him at all… it makes me want to hold on & fight, as if maybe I just need to BETTER convince God to hear me out & help me & answer my way.

When All Hope Feels Lost… Will You Surrender to Him AS Your Hope?

When you are stuck not getting what you so desperately want… the thing you ache & long for, whether it be the end of constant pain or the end of loneliness or freedom from constant stress… will you choose to cling to the end of that struggle above all else?

Or will you surrender to God & ask for His will to be done in your life, EVEN IF it is different than your own?

“God, You know I’m hurting. You know how desperate I feel right now… But I also know that You are God & You are good. You have a perfect plan in this. You are sufficient. If You choose to take me a different route, hard as it may seem to me, can You please show Yourself sufficient to me? Help me remember You want my good & that You love me & that You are always enough? Help me trust that You know what You’re doing better than I do... that You see the WHOLE picture that I don’t. Help me learn how to better trust You when Your plan seems so wildly different than what I so, so badly want. I have to trust that, even if it doesn’t go my way. Help me to trust You, to surrender to You, come what may. AMEN.”

Surrender to God’s Will ALWAYS–Even If It Means the Hurt Won’t Stop, It Means He Will Carry You through to an Even Better Plan Than Your Own

In my biggest battle with depression, where I had already listened to Satan’s lies so much that I had spiraled to a place so dark I didn’t even know how to find my way out anymore… I not only prayed but tried everything to pump joy into my life my way, only to find it progressively worsen. It wasn’t until I fully surrendered that I found freedom. I gave up every pursuit to make myself happy, to control my happiness input to ensure I would be happy, to instead say, “God, nothing else. Only You. Nothing else.” And only in the surrender of my pursuit of happiness to rest it all on Him no matter what, did I find that freedom… & not ONLY freedom, but the definitively clear dispelling of doubts I had carried my whole life, giving me an even richer freedom that I never knew could even be possible in my life.

In my longing, lonely, desperate heart of singleness, watching everyone else get married while I seemed to be on a path of eternal singleness, I was inspired by my aunt who had lost her husband & in that loss, she clung to God as her hope. I used to pity her, but after a long, unexpected car ride with just us, I saw behind the image I imagined & instead saw a woman who had such peace & assurance & inner humble confidence. I realized then that singleness was not a curse, but a blessing… if I would but surrender to God’s will over my own... His sufficiency & His love.

And then there was Hokkaido… where I didn’t surrender. I wanted to feel comfort. I wanted to escape the stress. So, I hid from it. I idolized comfort above all else, even above God. I avoided by tv binging & gaming & food. I didn’t learn from my past… that surrender leads to HOPE. I fought God’s plan to keep me in that stressful atmosphere rather than surrendering to that FACT that He would be ENOUGH for me IN it. I let bitterness against God take root & I didn’t get to see the hope that surrendering to Him brings.

Surrendering to God’s will seems THE LAST thing I want to do when life isn’t going my way, but it is in that surrender that I finally find that HOPE I so desperately search for.

God Can be Trusted in Our Surrender

God knows what He is doing. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, & perfectly, without-any-mistakes-ever WISE.

God sees the big picture: all the pieces in play, all unexpected turn of events, spanning through all eternity. He sees it ALL, while I just think I know what I see in my tiny fraction of it.

God can bring beauty out of ashes. No matter how impossibly hard something seems, it ALWAYS is appreciated when it is finally over when I choose surrender to Him in it.

God can be ENOUGH for me in the hard. He is NEVER lacking & how obvious it becomes when I struggle & feel at a complete loss & yet allow Him to be enough & see that He indeed IS.

It’s in the hard that we can see it’s not me or getting my way that will bring me joy & peace & fulfillment… No. It’s found in surrendering to HIS way where we find all that, even when His way seems the COMPLETE OPPOSITE of our most desired way.

Let God Have His Way–You Will Never Regret It

So, why surrender to God when His plan contradicts yours?

Because God is GOD. He can be trusted 100%. He is enough. And if you let Him, He will take your less than ideal & paint a beautiful, unique masterpiece out of your life, one where you will one day look back in awe & wonder & PRAISE that in the impossible, God made a way… & not just A way, but the most beautiful story you never could have imagined for yourself.

So, shine HOPE by learning the beauty in SURRENDER—even when nothing in life is going your way & even when God seems to want the opposite of your own desperate desires.

Surrender to Him… always.

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 newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over FOUR 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!!

Kavita Necklace (India)

Handcrafted by her fellow Artisans in India, this eye-catching necklace is named in honor of Kavita, who inspires women in her community and around the world to become heroes of their own stories! Naturally varying shades of raspberry, blue, white, green, black, and faded pink make this colorful design truly mesmerizing, whether you wear it alone or layer it with more of your favorite fair-trade designs! Every purchase creates safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty in India.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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!

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!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Let God Call the Shots

Well, this is going to be a fun topic & I may indeed ruffle some feathers, but I want you to take a deep breath & at least hear me out, willing to lay aside whatever you believe, how you grew up, what others around you say is acceptable… & be willing to ask God for HIS opinion… because my opinion doesn’t really matter does it? But His? It means EVERYTHING.

What Do Star Signs, Enneagrams, & Mental Disorder Labels Have in Common?

So, why this title? What do star signs, enneagrams, & mental disorder labels have in common? Well, let’s get into it, shall we?

While enneagrams, or other personality tests, can potentially help us better understand our current starting point… & mental disorder diagnoses can teach us about what we’re working with, in regards to our brain chemistry… they all can also have the danger of shaping how you define yourself… versus allowing God to do that for you.

And while star signs can do the same, we must be careful to recognize that star signs, while often seen as harmless fun, are superstitious stereotypes at best.

Well, It’s “Just the Way I Am”

Have you ever heard someone say, “Well I am [or, he/she is] a Scorpio, what do you expect?”

Or maybe, “Well, I am a 4, so that’s normal for me.”

Or even, “I have depression, so really, it’s just how I am.”

I don’t TRY to use them as excuses, but that very well can be what they become.

Now, it’s natural for me to try to figure out how I fit in the world & to want to see my blind spots & my weaknesses, but I need to be careful that I don’t begin to DEFINE myself based on those things.

Personality tests & diagnoses need to be merely a starting point on where I need more surrender to God’s intended design for me.

How We Learned to Survive… But Not the Way It HAS to Be

Much of personality is what we cultivate even from our toddler observations of others around us, taking it all in & determining what seems to work & what doesn’t, how we can be safe or make people like us or get along well in the world.

Growing up, we often hear people tell us, “you’re so smart,” or, “you’re so funny” or “you’re annoying,” & we begin to determine who we think we are from the input we are given… how others perceive & determine us to be.

In other words, our personality is largely an accumulation of your life experiences, how you chose to deal with them, & the patterns that emerged from that... but it’s not how we HAVE to be.

Your personality is not set in stone, but can be tenderly & lovingly shaped & matured over time as you rely less on it & more on asking God to show you & teach you better how you ought to respond or feel about something, yielding your natural instinct & asking Him for what He leads as honoring & pleasing to Him—closer to HIS intended design for you.

God Is the Designer… He Made You… Let HIM Guide You in HIS Design

For example, if I do indeed take a quiz & determine my enneagram number or use some other type of personality test, this can only be used truly to show me where I am at that exact moment. It doesn’t tell me WHO I AM. Only God can determine that—because HE MADE me.

If my specific enneagram number or personality type is prone to one such flaw or weakness, this does not excuse me from needing to submit these areas to God for His work to continue in me.

I can say, “I am this “type”, which can tend to struggle with ________________, SO, I need to be conscious of making progress in not doing that anymore & conscious of my need to ask God to help me reshape that instinct, tendency, or habit.”

Or, if I say, “I have this mental disorder, which tends to make me feel __________________, SO, I need to be conscious of this & ask God whenever my tendency leans toward that versus justifying it as “just the way I am” if it dishonors God or harms myself or others.”

Let God Continue to Shape You to be More Like Jesus

I can’t use a star sign, an enneagram number, or a mental illness label to define myself or excuse myself of behaviors, thoughts, attitudes, or actions that dishonor God.

I must take my tendencies that are sinful in nature (as we are all born sinners & that is what we are naturally bent to do) & lay them before God, asking Him to shape & mold me into Jesus’ image, seeking to please & honor God with all areas of my life.

My tendencies & instincts are not acceptable excuses to God.

My tendencies & instincts are not untouchable from God lovingly shaping me.

My tendencies & instincts do not define me… only God does… because HE MADE ME.

So, whether you believe in superstitious fallacies, personality test numbers/letters, or whether you are diagnosed with a specific condition… don’t allow those to tell you who you are… only God can do that. Let God continue to shape you as you GROW closer to Him.

Don’t Ever Underestimate God

And whatever you feel you “can’t help”… if it hurts you, others, or God… don’t underestimate God’s redeeming power in the areas where you feel trapped or stuck in “just the way it is.” God is more powerful than ANY “just the way it is.”

Shine HOPE by taking those definitions of yourself to God & asking Him to show you HIS design, EVEN IF it goes completely against what those things tell you about yourself.

God has the final say. He can redeem any behavior, attitude, or habit. So, even if unbelieving at first, lessen your grip & allow Him to show you what He can do with your willingness to grow in His design for you, His way. Be moldable.

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 newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over FOUR 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!!

Floral Wooden Jewelry Box (India)

What holiday surprise will you hide inside this eco-friendly, intricately hand-carved jewelry box? This unique, ethically made gift features an Artisanal floral design on the removable lid and a subtle whitewash finish. Artisans create this jewelry box using fast-growing mango wood, a sustainable byproduct of India’s mango fruit industry. Every purchase supports families in areas of extreme poverty in India.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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!

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!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Dancing the Line

I grew up looking for what I could get away with when it came to the Bible. I was definitely swayed by the world around me, wanting to fit in, but also wanting to “technically” obey God.

Dancing the line between honoring God & still getting to live the way I wanted led me to lean heavily on the “well that’s okay as long as I don’t __________” judgment calls I made along the way.

For example, I may have been a flirt, making inappropriate jokes, but I didn’t use foul language or have sex, so I thought I was doing okay.

Sometimes it’s just the “acceptable practices” of other Christians I saw that helped me feel justified in doing what I wanted that wasn’t technically a sin at all.

Taking a Step Back

But I think it’s important to take a step back & consider those things… not just only for the purpose of better honoring & pleasing God with our choices, trying to be a “better Christian,” but also because God puts those boundaries in place because He KNOWS that without them, we set ourselves up for more hurt, struggle, & temptation that He never wanted us to have to battle.

So, in learning discernment, it is important to ask yourself, even in the “accepted by Christian society” options available to you, do your decisions sow or stir discontentment &/or temptation?

Even in the Innocence… We Can Sow Feelings of Discontentment or Temptation

For example, I have found that certain tv shows, while mostly clean & widely acceptable in church family homes, may hint at sexual tension & therefore create a temptation in my struggle against lust/fantasizing. The show may not display sexual activity, but it sows & stirs temptation I wouldn’t otherwise have to combat.

Another big one for me was actually the lovey dovey tv shows/movies (I think we can all think of a certain channel known for these, especially during Christmastime) that, while pretty PG, sowed & stirred in me great discontentment during my years of singleness that seemed to never end (I got married at age 28, while most all my friends & even my younger sister were married way before me).

Those movies & tv shows aren’t raunchy or bad, but even in the innocence, they made me wrestle with that longing to be loved, making me feel impatient & frustrated at my ringless finger rather than keeping my eyes on finding HOPE in God’s love.

I Set My Eyes on Things That Won’t Actually Satisfy

I all too easily cling to things as my idol. It may not be a little carved image that I physically bow down to or chant my allegiance to, but they are definitely things I put before God.

Instant gratification culture, brought on by online shopping, fast food, & quick internet search results have led me to covet ease & comfort… So much so, that when I struggle with depression, my idol becomes the end of my struggle, rather than trusting God to be sufficient in the struggle.

The same thing can happen when we make decisions that sow or stir discontentment or temptations. We start focusing more on what we feel we “ought to be able to enjoy” rather than letting discernment tell us to trust God & that while it may be socially accepted in Christian circles & may in & of itself not be sinful at all, it may not be worth the discontentment &/or temptations it breeds.

Now Hold on a Minute…

Making these decisions to deny ourselves something that doesn’t even seem sinful is not easy & oftentimes seems quite the opposite of logical or reasonable. It seems unnecessary at best & legalistic at worst.

Your flesh may rear up in defiance. You may feel defensive because it’s not even something sinful or bad. You may feel like clinging to that thing you enjoy because it’s “not even bad.”

But is it worth the extra fighting? The added struggle? The sadness or worry or wrong desire you now become burdened with? Is it worth all that?

Learning Discernment: Do Your Decisions Sow or Stir Discontentment &/or Temptation?

I have felt all those things. I don’t automatically say, “Yes, LORD, I see it now! Those things pull me down & make my life more complicated than it already is… more difficult than it needs to be! And although they’re not technically bad choices, they affect me negatively, so they’re not worth it! I will stop right now!” No, sadly, that’s not usually my quick response.

I “like” to learn by making the same poor decision again & again & again because I don’t want to miss out on or give up something I enjoy that’s not even BAD!

It doesn’t feel fair. It feels like missing out. I don’t like missing out.

I NEED to Lean into Him… But I Often Justify Myself into Discontentment &/or Temptation Again & Again

But sometimes I feel a gentle, soft whisper over my heart… a gentle awareness really, the Holy Spirit nudging my heart, saying, “do you remember, Michelle, how much it hurt dealing with the aftermath of this decision last time? Don’t do this to yourself again… trust Me to be enough in its place so you don’t have to go through that again.”

But I don’t listen. I keep justifying, based on how innocent it seems in & of itself, or how accepted & embraced it is by Christians I respect. I don’t like missing out.

And God keeps whispering, nudging, beckoning my heart to trust Him.

When I choose to listen, I find freedom.

A Prayer I Often Don’t Want to Pray

It starts with a reluctant prayer for help: “God, I hear You. I can feel the conviction tugging at my heart to leave this behind. But it’s not even “bad” & I don’t want to miss out. But I do want to trust You better than just getting this… but I need Your help trusting You more than my desire for this. Help me trust that You are nudging me because You see & You don’t want me to keep putting myself in situations where I am discontented or tempted. Life can already be hard enough… I don’t need to enjoy things that just make it harder. I get that. Help me let go. Help me trust You instead. Please help me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Let Yourself Fail… & Keep Trying to Trust God More… With His Help

It starts small. I may fail. But I can expect to not be good at something when I am not used to practicing it. So, I must determine to keep trying, allowing myself grace to fail, & to keep trying again, with God’s help & grace along the way.

Lovely, God may be asking you, nudging your heart, to give up something you feel justified in enjoying. You may feel threatened, feeling that He’s saying you’re not being a good enough Christian & that maybe He’s guilting you or testing you.

But hear me on this… God is always gentle & loving & kind… & He also knows ALL things. He doesn’t want you enjoying something that is actually HURTING you, EVEN IF that something seems completely justifiably embraced by other Christians. EVEN IF that something is not sinful in & of itself.

Because He loves you & will always fight for what is best for you–even if the thought of the change makes you uncomfortable. He will never give up that fight because you mean that much to Him.

Let the Conviction Bring a Smile Rather Than Fear

So, if that conviction keeps tugging at your heart, let it bring a smile to your face, reminding you that God is fighting for you right then & there, to give you His absolute best in this life.

For example, I don’t use umbrellas like EVER… I am a run & deal with the wet type of person. But some mornings I feel a little nudge that I need to get my umbrella. I dismiss it with a scoff, “ha, I never use it anyway, so no thanks.” Then it ends up downpouring at a time I am stuck outside, wishing I had that umbrella. God doesn’t just say, “hey, an umbrella would typically be favored for the typical person on a day it will rain, like today,” but rather, “I know YOU will want one today, & because I know that, I am giving you a heads up.” What a good & loving God!

Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. And ask God to help you trust Him more than you cling to that thing you are clinging to that sows or stirs feelings of discontentment &/or temptation… because “ain’t nobody got time for that.”

Shine HOPE by being willing to give up those “okay” things that sow or stir discontentment &/or temptation within you so that you can trust God’s call with it in its place.

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 newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over FOUR 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!!

Mini Leaf Dish (India)

Sold as a single dish. Artisans in India handcraft this nature-inspired Mini Leaf Dish from neem wood with subtly carved veins to add a realistic touch. Neem wood is a fast-growing hardwood that grows abundantly in arid regions of India with natural color variations, anti-microbial properties, and interlocking grains that make it an ideal, durable material for furniture and home décor.

Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages, health care, and clean water for women in areas of extreme poverty in India.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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!

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!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

What Is Our Motive in Doing Good?

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) (emphasis added)

What a freeing command that is right there.

Basically, don’t do something to measure up to someone else’s expectations, don’t do it to “be good enough” or to do “enough” to be considered a “good” Christian… & don’t do it as a means of striving for praise &/or recognition (aka chasing your “identity” from a job well done)…

… but do anything & everything simply & solely to give God the glory.

That Little, Powerful Word: FOR

This idea of doing everything for God’s glory may seem to come with the territory of trying to live God’s way, as He instructs in the Bible, but that is only part of it. Otherwise, that verse would say to do it BECAUSE it glorifies God.

Let’s be careful that we don’t mistakenly assume that just because we’re doing the doing, that we’re also doing it FOR His glory.

I always assumed this little verse of 1 Corinthians 10:31 was reminding us that in all we do, we ought to do it the way that God instructs, but the more I grow, the more emphasis I am seeing in that little (yet powerful) word “FOR.”

The Dangers of Any Other Motivation

So, even if I do all the right things, I can still be doing it to look like a good person/Christian, or because I “want to do what’s right all the time,” or basically other motivations that stem from me being a good person versus striving to let God have the glory.

You can do all the right things & still be doing them with all the wrong motivations.

The danger in just keeping God’s Word & doing as He says ONLY, without this proper motivation of “for His glory,” is that it can easily puff us up or make us feel self-righteous, like we somehow deserve His grace because of our good behavior… as if we deserve Jesus’ sacrifice… because really, who doesn’t want to try to pay Jesus back somehow or let Him know we “really mean it” when we accept His free gift? It’s natural, but it again, is missing the point.

So How Do I Do Everything FOR His Glory?

One way that comes to mind is instead of trying to sheer willpower your way into doing the right thing because you know it’s the right thing, even though you sure don’t FEEL like doing the right thing then… to instead surrender your honest feelings in the moment & asking for God’s help in them versus trying to power through & pretend they’re not there.

God isn’t fooled & eventually you are going to wear yourself thin trying to be everything God asks of you in your own strength, wisdom, & power.

A Surrendered Prayer to Live Each Situation for His Glory

But when I choose to take those very real, very human natural responses to Him & say, “God, I know You see clearly how I don’t want this [to be loving to someone cruel, to serve even when it doesn’t come easy, to read my Bible even when I’m tired, to do what’s right even when I am tempted the opposite direction]. You’re not fooled. I’m sorry I feel this way. Help change my heart here & to see the perspective of Your unending grace. I’m sorry I feel so pulled to act on these feelings & that I feel like I have to FORCE myself to do otherwise sometimes… but Lord, You don’t have to force it because it’s Who You are. You are loving & kind, merciful & gentle, gracious & majestic. You are infinite & sufficient. So, help me respond for Your glory. Let others see Your goodness, grace, & love, despite my fleshly feelings. Help them to see You in this [love, act of service, obedience, overcoming of temptations, etc.]. Let those around me see YOU & not me. I am NOT good, but You are. I am NOT always patient, but You are. I am not always feeling like showing love, but You ARE love. So help me display Your glory & do this thing for that reason alone… not to show myself worthy or righteous, but to show that those words describe YOU ALONE. In Jesus’ ALL-powerful name, AMEN.”

Your Motive Matters-All for His Glory

Don’t just do something because it’s “the right thing to do” or because you don’t want to look like a “bad Christian.”

Do it always & only FOR HIS GLORY.

To put Him on display.

To point to Him.

To show Him as your HOPE & sufficiency.

To let others see that you’re not sufficient & you’re not always willing… but that HE IS.

To say it’s His grace, not your goodness.

To make it all always about Him.

What a beautiful reminder that it’s not about ME being “good enough” or “deserving,” but that I can put those things aside, knowing I’m not & never will be, but that God is my goodness, through Jesus, & that ONLY HE is deserving of any praise. And that He gives me His grace just the same.

Shine HOPE by watching your motives & doing ALL *for* HIS glory! AMEN!

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 newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over FOUR 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!!

Leaf Coaster Set (India)

Create the ultimate autumn tablescape with nature-inspired decor that empowers families in India out of poverty. These coasters are made from sustainable natural acacia wood with carved whitewashed accents and are designed for you to enjoy your favorite hot comfort drinks without worrying about heat damaging your furniture. Complete your fall look with our Harvest Napkin Set, Harvest Placemat Set, and Pumpkin Trivet.

Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty in India.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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!

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!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

We Have a King Eternal

Reading through the Bible, you can find this phrase: “and the people did what was right in their own eyes” repeated quite often & when this phrase was used, it was often in direct correlation to their kingdom lacking a king. (Judges 17:6; 21:25; & find list of other mentions throughout the Bible, here.)

But our kingdom, the kingdom of God, is never lacking a King. Our King eternal is God Almighty. Despite this fact, I find myself living as if it weren’t true quite often, living as the Israelites did during the time periods talked about in Judges when they were without a king—doing what seems right in my own eyes.

This is not to say that I am indulging in sin, but rather the fact that I often forget, “oh yeah, I should probably ask God what His opinion or direction is here.”

Even If, He Should Still be Consulted

As I have talked a lot about recently, I like feeling capable. I like feeling like I am able to find a solution to whatever problem arises & ask God to help me do just that. In other words, I like to be in the driver seat (in control), with God acting as my assist when I “need” it.

But even when I DO feel capable, DO figure out a solution, & DO feel confident in my ability to carry it through, I need to stop & consider whether I am simply doing that which seems right to me… in my own eyes… or whether I am turning to my King for direction & wisdom.

There is so much I could unpack with this particular topic, but let’s touch on a few key points today in regards to “gray” areas in the Bible, allowing God to disrupt our plans, & letting God direct how we confront situations… rather than doing what seems right in our own eyes.

1. “What about the ‘gray’ areas in the Bible, where it doesn’t specifically call something a sin? Is that my call to make?”

The answer to this seemingly innocent & obvious question is: no—just because something is not clearly forbidden or called sin in the Bible, does not mean it is then up to you to do what seems right in your own eyes. It could be a concern of a weaker brother or sister (someone in your friend circle who struggles (openly or secretly) with it as a gateway to sin), or it could be that for you personally, (whether or not you willingly admit it). Either way… God knows better than even you in making those decisions.

When Jesus ascended to Heaven after He rose from the dead, after dying to pay our sin debt to God, He sent to us the Holy Spirit to act as our Helper & Counselor. (John 16:5-7)

Whenever a situation is questionable on whether or not something not specifically forbidden in the Bible is okay, whether it is based on a rule from a particular church or pastor, or whether it was just how you grew up, we always ought to defer to God, through the Holy Spirit, for His guidance in your situation & circumstances particularly.

Conflicted Feelings Is Often a Sign to Avoid Something

If you feel conflicted about engaging in whatever it is, I highly discourage you from participating, as this could be a clear sign that the Holy Spirit is sending your heart a warning signal… & the Bible does tell us that if we are unsure whether something is a sin & yet we indulge in it, to us it IS a sin because in the indulgence we are making a decision that even if we aren’t sure if it is okay with God, we’re willing to risk dishonoring Him for our own gratification. (Romans 14:23)

A personal example of this would be my second ear piercing. I grew up believing that it was sinful to have more than one piercing, but couldn’t find evidence of this & I really wanted one. And, knowing my intentions were because I thought it looked cute versus a way to show off, I felt it was okay… but wasn’t quite sure if it was sin… & I got that piercing anyway. God reminded me that because I wasn’t sure & did it anyway, that it was a sin for me to have done it… so I asked for forgiveness, removed the earring, let it grow back, & asked for Him to give me a clear answer, determining to give it up if that clear answer never came. For me, it was a sin because I chose to do it not knowing whether it was a sin, showing I cared more about my desire for it than honoring God with it.

The Holy Spirit will give you peace if you determine to turn to Him rather than doing what seems right to you. It may not be immediate & it may not be the answer you were hoping for, but keeping that determination to wait on His response will ensure that you do not dishonor God with your choices.

2. “What about my day-to-day living in the little moments/routines? As long as I try to do good & not sin, is it okay to make my own judgement calls?”

This one is a little trickier. It is both a “yes” & a “no.”

I would say, if you are living your life with the goal to please God with your thoughts, words, & actions (even if you mess up sometimes & have to turn to that daily repentance to clear your conscience & move forward in His grace), then you are living in a way that honors Him.

BUT, the big but in this instance is the willingness to let God interrupt your plans & also making sure to bow your fleshly instinct for His lead & wisdom to win in every situation–this is a lifelong learning process.

It can be so easy to have a schedule, a routine, & the little ways you like to do things or how to spend your free time to relax (aka your “me-time”), but we always must bow those routines, habits, way of doing things & me-time moments to Him, being willing to let Him interrupt it with His own plans, wisdom, & way.

I Like Knowing What’s Coming & Having a Plan

I don’t like having my plans interrupted. If you read my post about “What If I Ruin My Children,” you’ll see that one of my concerns for having children was my own selfish fears of having my schedule & free time interrupted daily. That is a sinful fear because I want control of my own life versus letting God take the reins & guide my moments.

We need to be willing to lay down “the way we do things” to His will & plan for any given day, knowing He sees past, present, AND future, as well as the innermost thoughts of every person. We need to learn to have a heart that is willing to say, “God, these are my plans for today, but help me be willing to let You interrupt them if You so desire… & help me to ask for Your help in following Your detour versus clinging to my design for my day. AMEN.”

So, you can be living in a way that overall brings God honor & glory, while still making small choices to do what seems right in your own eyes by grasping to Your plans & being unwilling to be interrupted by letting Him lead with His plans, wisdom, & way.

3. “What if I am taking a stand against something that displeases & dishonors God? Isn’t it enough that I am DOING something, when so many people, even Christians, seem to only sit & watch it happen?”

Oh, this one gets many a Christian & I have most likely fallen into this very trap myself on occasion.

We can be doing godly THINGS with the right HEART, but still completely miss the mark because we are doing it in such a way that makes sense to US.

God sees beyond what we see. I can be as determined as ever to create change in something, but if I am doing it in a way that makes sense to me, without bowing that urgent, desperate desire to fix things to HIM, then my attempts are not going to be as effective as I would hope them to be.

I need to be willing to see a wrong, take a deep breath, & PRAY as my first instinct… taking that concern to Him for a solution: “God, this really makes me angry & I really want to speak out about it… but give me the words… help them be bold, full of Your Truth, grace, & love… & give me the timing & place that is appropriate, so the right ears may hear & change may occur. Show me & guide me on how I may help!”

We can easily get drawn into self-righteousness when He is the only One Who can create any real & lasting change on others’ hearts. So, instead of blaring your agenda, no matter how noble & biblical it may be, make sure you take that concern to God first for guidance & wisdom rather than reacting in a way that seems right in your own eyes.

Is Life a Big “Choose Your Own Adventure” Story?

So, is life a big “choose your own adventure” story? This topic is such a deep one. There are so many areas of our lives that it touches & so often, because oftentimes something just seems right to us, there are circumstances where we can be completely clueless to the fact that we are indeed living in a way that simply seems right in our own eyes & may not be what God desires in a given situation.

But we must always remember that we are NEVER without a King who can guide us & strengthen us, & Who gives us wisdom as we seek Him.

So, go to your King every day, in every decision big or small, in everything.

Shine HOPE by letting your King be KING in your life, in matters of discernment, in letting God interrupt your plans for His, & in fighting concerns you have in life.

Our King is worthy of praise! Amen!

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 newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over FOUR 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!!

Merry Mice Ornament Trio (Nepal)

LIMITED EDITION – WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! This set of three whimsical Merry Mice Ornaments will add some playful charm to your holiday decor with their cheerful smiles, fluffy tutus, and festive gifts! Each adorable wool felt mouse is handcrafted by a woman in an area of extreme poverty in Nepal. Every purchase of our Merry Mice Ornament Trio empowers a woman in Nepal with dignified income and education.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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!

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!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

This May Ruffle Some Feathers…

This topic is an unpopular opinion because no one praising God sets out to worship themselves & so I may ruffle some feathers with this one, but it weighs on my heart & so I feel I must address it—Does our worship reflect giving God the glory or giving it to ourselves?

Now, it may be true that a song is encouraging & uplifting & hits all the right feels, but if we consider the heart of true worship, does our worship point all eyes & hearts to Him as our source, our help, our King Almighty? Or does it uplift us in our own abilities?

Turning Our Hearts to Him… In EVERY Song

It IS true that almost any song can be turned to worship, because worship is the posture of your heart toward our loving Almighty God, in song & in life.

So, even if a song never mentions God’s work as His work, (think Esther), we can still acknowledge from Whom those blessings & delights that are mentioned in the song are from (as long as they are not promoting or discussing sin or something that displeases or dishonors God).

Or, even if a song DOES promote self-worship, we can still personally make the choice to bow our hearts to Him as we sing, praising God that we feel strong BECAUSE OF HIM, or we feel capable BECAUSE OF HIM, lifting Him up in our hearts as we sing.

Our Worship Should ALWAYS Direct ALL Glory to HIM

But, we must use discernment in the songs we use to lift up our holy God. He is sovereign & almighty. He is perfect & pure. He is eternal Creator, Redeemer GOD.

Our worship should ALWAYS promote & lift HIM up. It should ALWAYS glorify Him for who He is & all He has done, still does, & will do because of who HE is.

So, when we are drawn to songs that make us feel strong & capable, singing lines like, “I am able,” “I am strong,” “I can,” or “I am enough,” make sure that it also includes (at the very least, in your heart), “because HE enables me,” because HE strengthens me,” “because HE gives me all I need,” or “because even at my worst & in my complete undeserving, JESUS made me so by HIS sacrifice for me.”

Not I, but CHRIST.

The Lines So Easily Blurred Because It SOUNDS Spiritual

I know it feels good to feel good. I know it can be easy to blur the lines in music that mentions God, is sung in church, & sounds so spiritual, encouraging, & uplifting…

But beware lest you find yourself unintentionally worshipping yourself instead of God.

I have nothing of myself, but He provides.

I am weak, but He is strong.

Even my righteousness is counted as dirty rags to me, but Jesus makes me righteous because of His sacrifice & my faith in that sacrifice.

I can offer nothing to God that He does not already have & that He has not been the One to give me.

But I can WORSHIP Him as He so richly & rightly deserves.

Does Our Worship Reflect Self-Glory?

So, as you prepare to worship… as the praises begin to ring… ask yourself: “Does our worship reflect self-glory? Or does it give ALL glory to Whom it truly belongs?”

He is my strength & shield & Redeemer.

He is my Maker & my King.

He loves me with an unconditional, everlasting love.

Even in my complete undeserving, I can worship & praise God because He offers His all to me despite me having nothing of worth to offer Him.

Praise GOD!

Shine HOPE by giving God all the glory in all that you do, all that you say, & all that you SING!

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 newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over FOUR 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!!

Lola the Llama Ornament

LIMITED EDITION – While Supplies Last! This adorable single Lola the Llama ornament will add some fair-trade fun to your decor all year long! Handcrafted by women in a rural family-owned workshop in Mexico, this fun smiling llama with colorful tufted ears and a festive hand-stitched saddle blanket is made with 100% wool felt!

Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty in Mexico.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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!

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!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Let’s Take It a Step Further…

Stemming off of last week’s topic: “Overcoming Stubbornness: More Willpower or More Surrender?”, where I fleshed out the important distinction between more willpower versus more surrender when trying to overcome personal stubbornness or hard-heartedness is this very important need for daily repentance.

Now, this is not repentance unto salvation, as in when we recognize we are personally sinful & have personally wronged God & are deserving of His wrath & so also recognize & admit our need for Jesus Christ to cover that sin & make us right before God unto our forgiveness by God once & for all, by admitting our wrongs to Him, asking His forgiveness, & turning away from indulging in those sins….

This is not the repentance I am referring to in this post, but rather committing to a consistent heart-posture of laying my daily pride or selfish thoughts or thinking I know better or doubting God or complaining versus praising… this is a repentance of continually being willing to admit to God that I am wrong & He is right & asking Him to restore & grow me in His will & way, putting my trust fully in Jesus’ FINISHED work on my behalf.

What Is Sanctification & When Is It Complete?

Sanctification is a work that God does in you through the Holy Spirit. It is not immediate. It is not instant. It is a lifelong process of renewal & growth, weeding out the sinful patterns we grow up with & exchanging those for God’s will, way, & perspective in all things.

Because my sanctification is lifelong, I will continue to make mistakes & get it wrong along the way as I learn & grow. I do make mistakes… & sometimes intentionally, out of pride or hard-heartedness & selfishness of wanting to cling to His blessings & comforts more than I cling to Him as the One Who blesses & comforts.

And my mistakes are seen in having those little thoughts of praying & then acting versus praying & then waiting on Him or clinging to comforts He provides over clinging to Him or any number of ways that I get it wrong.

It is so easy to see my balance sheet of life, if you will, begin to pile up with my wrongs… & if I am not quick to trust on the grace of Jesus, holding in those wrongs & trying to just ignore them &/or move past them, because they continue to pile as I continue to make mistakes, Satan will undoubtedly begin to exploit that & tempt me to believe that my mistakes are too great for the grace of Jesus.

Don’t Let Satan’s Cunning Trick You into Acting on a LIE

I can’t tell you how many times in my life, having been a Christian (accepting Jesus to cover my sin) since I was a child, that I have allowed Satan to convince me of that… that my sin is just too great… that I shouldn’t disgrace God’s grace by asking forgiveness for the millionth time of my life… that I should just bottle that guilt & live under the weight of it because it’s what I deserve.

And inevitably, when I did get tricked into believing that & I let that guilt & shame pile & pile upon me, I began to drift away from my relationship with God because of my shame & the weight of my wrongs being too painful to face... which is exactly what Satan wanted.

But let me tell you something: JESUS PAID FOR THAT, TOO.

Jesus paid for that. He knows I can’t save myself. I can’t even BEGIN to save myself… that’s why—JESUS came & JESUS paid… ONCE & for ALL.

HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT!

And to deny the depth of His grace is a much greater offense to God, because believing we shouldn’t come freely to Him about our sins as they happen tells Him that we believe His grace to be lacking.

Keep Short Accounts with God

Don’t determine to carry the weight of your wrong behaviors, attitudes, thoughts, or actions. Come clean as soon as you realize it. Embrace & grasp hold of His grace every moment.

“God, I’m sorry I just thought that. Please forgive me & help change my pattern of thinking to better honor & please You. Thank You Jesus for paying for that, too.”

“God, I’m sorry I just doubted You when You prompted that on my heart. Please forgive me for thinking of You less than You are. Thank You Jesus for paying for that wrong thought.”

“God, I am sorry I judged them. I am no better. Forgive my pride & thank You Jesus for paying for that.”

“God, I am sorry I didn’t wait on You & instead acted on my opinion after I prayed to You for help. It shows I am not trusting Your timing, willingness to help, &/or Your power. Please forgive me & remind me that I CAN wait on You & trust Your timing to be perfect. Thank You Jesus for paying for that, too.”

“God I am sorry for being rude & lacking graciousness & patience just now. Forgive me & help me to rely on You for help next time. Thank You, Jesus for covering that.”

Don’t wait. Don’t hold it in with shame or guilt. Don’t avoid going to God. Don’t try to just do better without apologizing for not getting it right this time. Trust that Jesus is enough for that, too.

Apologize & ask for His help with better patterns & impulses moving forward, to trust Him first.

And trust that Jesus’ payment on the cross & rising again victorious over death & your sin is an ALL-SUFFICIENT GRACE.

The Great Power of Daily Repentance

That repeated, consistent, daily repentance habit is what allows a surrendered heart to grow in you… an understanding that you are weak, but He is strong… you are insufficient, but He is ALL-sufficient. It cultivates a submitted, humbled heart before an Almighty, loving GOD, freed from the great burden of shame & guilt by the power of Jesus–daily.

Not more willpower, but more surrender.

Because Jesus paid for that, too. That unwillingness, bad habit, bad attitude, poor reaction, selfish desire, prideful thought, ALL OF IT. PAID IN FULL. Because of Jesus—hallelujah!

Shine HOPE by living the habit of & shining the great power of daily repentance because Jesus is always sufficiently enough in all things.

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 newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over FOUR 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!!

Woodland Friends (India)

The women we partner with in India do so much more than just create beautiful products. With every purchase, women have the opportunity to earn an income, attend financial management classes, & receive education & healthcare. These women are now able to give their family a promising future because of your purchase!

Purchase these Woodland Friends & empower a woman in India!

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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!

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!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

I Don’t Determine What Is True… God Does

I am a stubborn person & my past demonstrates my constant desire to “fact check” God.

When I used to read God’s Word, the Bible, I would do so comparing it to what I “already knew about the world” & sort of parse through it with that lens, as if I were determining which parts of the Bible I could rely on.

Now, I know, this seems incredibly arrogant of me, but my view of the Bible was that of a slightly outdated tool that could still be useful today versus the living, active (still completely accurate TRUTH) of Almighty God.

And because I viewed the Bible this way, I would read it, looking for the Truths that I could still apply today… the little “nuggets of wisdom” still tucked in its pages, if you will. And when I felt God highlight a certain part in my heart, I would determine which parts to toss aside because it didn’t mesh well with what I could logic & then try to follow the rest.

But now God has shown me that His Word is living & active, sharper than a two-edged sword & that if I don’t understand something to possibly be true, with my logic, reasoning, & understanding, then I am the one missing something, not God… & I have learned to take that gap to Him when I feel one, to seek His wisdom & understanding on the issue to better align myself with His Word.

Because God determines what is true–not ME.

I Tend to Second-Guess God First

But, my stubbornness does not end with me hesitating to full-on trust whatever God says as is, apart from my understanding or “getting” it. My stubbornness can most often be recognized through my hesitation to obey.

What do I mean by a hesitation to obey? I mean, being a Christian since I was 5, I did not read my Bible all the way through now read it consistently/daily until just a few years ago, even though I know it honors God to learn His Word & to meditate on His Truth daily.

I struggle doing uncomfortable things. I struggle reaching out to someone who seems gruff when God puts them on my heart. I struggle speaking truth, in love, to someone God nudges me to speak to. I struggle feeling inadequate & so wanting to keep hidden in the background versus stepping out to connect.

I struggle with stubbornness because I second-guess God.

Are “Good Intentions” Good Enough for God?

I used to think this was on me to fix. I would try to set daily schedules & routines, which would get forgotten or missed & then the habits would quickly fade into the forgotten.

I used to think I just needed to be “a better Christian” to achieve that level of obedience & well, I just wasn’t that yet.

I used to think “I’m just not good at concentrating that long” or “I’m just not good at speaking up” or “I am just insecure, that’s life.”

I used to think I was just too easily distracted or that I just couldn’t very well control disruptions from others, so “it’s not really even my fault.”

In other words… I had excuses lined out the door because overcoming my stubbornness seemed an undefeatable feat. And yet, I had good intentions… so “God understands.” But God knows I need His help & that He is willing to offer His help, so really, I was hiding my disobedience behind my good intentions because that just seemed easier.

I struggle with stubbornness.

Overcoming Stubbornness: More Willpower or More Surrender?

But something happened along the way, as I prayed about this insurmountable obstacle within myself… God showed me that overcoming my stubbornness had very little to do with what I could manage, & all to do with what HE could.

In other words, overcoming stubbornness is not about more willpower, but more surrender to His help.

If I truly AM willing, versus making excuses to avoid that which seems uncomfortable to me, then there is definite, sure HOPE because my overcoming has very little to do with what I am personally capable of doing & so much more to do with my willingness to surrender that lacking for His help instead.

Be wary of human wisdom, yours or that of anyone else… no matter how popular or appealing or intelligent they may seem. If anything contradicts God, it’s wrong. PERIOD.

A Prayer of Surrender

What does that surrender look like? It looks like a humbled, willing heart of prayer to an Almighty, loving God:

“God, I know this honors You, so I want to do it. I know I ought to trust Your Word 100%, so I want to do it. But, I feel so stubborn! Why do I resist You at every turn? Why does it feel the odds are always stacked against me? Why is it so HARD to just trust & obey when I know I ought to!? Please forgive my stubborn, selfish heart. Forgive me for forgetting. Forgive me for it being less of an absolute priority to me than it ought to be. Forgive me. And help me. Take my unwilling, hesitant heart. Shape me to Your will & way. Give me Your wisdom in the how & Your strength in the doing. Help me to stop at my self-made roadblock & instead of turning around to head the opposite way, help me to stop & pray. Help me to determine to keep asking in it versus a one-time prayer & then, “nope, still too hard, BYE!” Help me to SIT & WAIT & say, ‘God, I am not moving from this until You help me because I want to obey You but I need Your help!’ Help me to be persistent in my prayer for Your help versus giving it up when it stays hard. Habits take time to cultivate & grow, so help me just keep asking You for help in it each & every time, because You ARE enough, even when I am just a complete stubborn fail. Thank You for Your faithful persistence in Your love for me. Thank You for Your future help with this. Help me live to love & honor You above all else in this world. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Overcoming stubbornness is NOT easy. It feels impossible sometimes, even.

But… God.

Trust Him, lean into Him, & let Him show you that He indeed is quite sufficient in it.

Shine HOPE by not trying to overcome stubbornness, but rather by surrendering it to Him for His help in the overcoming.

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 newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over FOUR 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!!

Botanica Charms Set (India)

Designed to coordinate with your other favorite Botanica Collection designs, this set of six pairs of versatile jade, Acacia wood, ethically collected animal bone, & metal charms are handcrafted in India by Artisans who are committed to fighting child marriage & providing opportunities for women to become financially independent as fair-trade Artisans. Designed to mix & match, create a new look each time you wear them with our Customizable Silver Hoops or your favorite bracelets & necklaces!

Every purchase supports vulnerable women in areas of extreme poverty in India.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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!

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!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Redeeming the Narrative

Okay, let’s take a moment to kick Satan out of this conversation. He has too long written the narrative for mental illness & it is about time we take it back & place it under our loving ALMIGHTY God.

So, if you are no stranger to my blog, then you know by now that I talk about my battle with depression—a lot—how it has shaped me, how it torments me in some seasons of my life, & how God has used it in my life to make Himself & His love known to me.

But something I have not really addressed, at least not with much detail, is how to parse through a life with mental illness & come out with victory versus defeat. So, let’s redeem the narrative.

Victory In, After, & Through

Now, I am not talking only about victory after the fact… you know, the struggle & fight & maybe eventual crash that God uses to show Himself sovereign, in control at all times, faithful, full of grace & love, & His ever willingness to turn any bad in my life for His glory AND my good… But victory IN & THROUGH the struggle as well!

For me, this seems to be an occasion for a good eye roll. “In & through the struggle” means the struggle is still going on, so how can that mean any victory is happening at all???

But hang with me & let’s flesh this out so that if you struggle with a mental illness (or any illness, really) or whether you simply know someone with that struggle… then you know how to have wise discernment in it, you know how to pray through it, & you know you don’t HAVE to give in to it—you CAN have victory IN & THROUGH it!

Our Struggle or Sin Does Not Define Us

First of all, we need to recognize that one of the cunning tactics of the devil is that he loves to take our struggles with sin or our circumstances & wrap them into our identity.

Satan does this with homosexuality, for example, as we can clearly see in our culture today. God gave me the discernment to see there are no “homosexuals” only PEOPLE. Some people PRACTICE homosexuality & some don’t, but all are PEOPLE—an important distinction!

The same is becoming true with regard to mental illness. “I struggle with mental illness” is becoming an identifier for ourselves.

This isn’t necessarily sinful, but rather a way we learn how to relate to the world & accept our limitations, but Satan is not without his tricks & cunning manipulations.

When we begin to IDENTIFY as “one who struggles with ________________ mental illness,” we can fall into the trap of limiting ourselves along with the limitations that illness creates within us… & limiting God right along with it!

The Five Parts

So, today, I want to break apart this issue of depression (or mental illness) into the 5 separate parts involved in how we identify mental illness (cause, symptoms, consequences of symptoms, Satan’s exploitation of those, & our CHOICE in how we respond to it all) & help us understand mental illness with discernment so we do not have to feel controlled by it.

I want to break mental illness into five parts—I will be using depression as my example, since that is my personal struggle, but this can be applied to any limitation you face mentally or physically.

Parts 1-3 (Cause, Symptoms, & Consequences of Symptoms)

First, consider the actual, medical problem that exists, also known as the cause—for example, depression can mean that your body does not properly regulate how much serotonin or dopamine is released in your body.

So, secondly, because your body does not produce or regulate well its proper levels of these chemicals in your brain… the symptoms, or the second part of depression, are what results from this lowered or unregulated release of these chemicals in your brain. The symptoms may include sluggishness, feeling tired or checked out or numb to goings on around you. You can feel a lack of energy or excitement.

And now, the third part would be the consequences of the symptoms… maybe not being as engaging, cheerful or personable, tasks seeming more difficult to complete, you don’t feel happiness in accomplishing tasks, making simple tasks feel complicated, frustrating, &/or difficult. In short, life feels HARD even in situations where those things may typically seem simpler or easier for us or others.

Part 4-Satan’s Exploitations of Our Weak Spots

Here is where we typically go wrong in how we determine what IS depression or mental health: Satan’s exploiting those symptoms & consequences, using our limitations & insecurities.

These manipulating exploitations often feed off of insecurities or poor reactions from others & sound similar to: “you are no fun at social gatherings, so just stop going & just avoid people altogether-who cares about them anyway, you don’t need them.” Or “You annoy everyone with your symptoms, so they would be better off without you,” or “everything is hard all the time because you’re a failure of a human being, so just quit already.”

These are twistings of the truth & that is Satan’s specialty. He is cunning & has had a lot of practice. He knows where to hit us & how to kick us when we’re down. He is a liar. (John 8:43-44)

Part 5-The Choice

But that is where part #5 comes in: WE HAVE A CHOICE IN HOW WE RESPOND.

We can either A.) believe Satan’s lies, cave under the weight, & just give up trying because everything just feels hard & quitting just feels like the easier &/or only option.

OR, B.) we can CHOOSE to DETERMINE to cling to God as our hope, our strength, & our comfort. This one takes a humbled, surrendered heart for God’s help to replace our desire for self-sufficiency.

My Cravings for Self-Sufficiency… But… God

I get it. I struggle EVERY time with this choice. I crave easy. I crave comfort. Easy & comfort are some of my main idols in life that I wrestle regularly. It seems SO MUCH EASIER to just be like, “screw it. It’s too hard. I can’t do it anymore. I don’t have it in me to always have it this hard ALL THE TIME!”

BUT… God.

I like to feel capable & in control. I like to feel like “I got this!” & move with confidence that I can handle anything life throws at me… that I can figure it out & work past it & do okay.

But depression reminds me that this isn’t real. I am NOT enough. I DON’T have enough strength. I WANT to quit. I WANT to be capable in & of MYSELF, but I’m NOT!

But… God.

I Am Not Meant to be Self-Sufficient

I’m not meant to be self-sufficient. I was made (& you were made) to have God be our sufficiency. WE WERE MADE TO NEED HIM.

And that’s hard for me, to be honest. It’s really hard.

I don’t like feeling weak. I don’t like SIMPLE tasks feeling SO DANG HARD. I don’t like struggling. I don’t like not being enough. I don’t like when things don’t wrap up all neatly with a nice pretty bow on top.

Depression brings me to the end of myself quite frequently & I quit… a lot.

But when I make a pattern of quitting, Satan knows his tricks well… they seem easier… they seem better… they may even seem like the only option left… but continuing to quit leads to darker & dimmer & a spiral of despair that leads to a darkness so thick you don’t even know how to get out anymore… & Satan knows it.

But… God.

With God, There Is ALWAYS Hope

God can get you out of that darkness you don’t know how to find your way out of… But He can help you well before that, too.

But it takes humility. I’m not going to lie to you… Humility & surrender is HARD, but not as hard as giving up will end up being.

I have to be willing to accept my weakness… my limitations… the HARD, take them to God, & say:

“God, please help me. Help me discern the lies of Satan so he can’t trick me anymore. Don’t let me follow him. Help me cling to You. Help me trust You to be my enough. Humble me to accept YOU as my strength when I have none. To trust You as sufficient in my struggle. To trust You as my comfort. Teach me HOW to do that. I don’t want to live according to Satan’s tricks anymore. I want to choose You—I want to choose LIFE. You are my LIFE. You breathe life into me, so please do that now. Bring joy where I only feel pain. Bring Your strength where I only feel weakness. Help me to praise You IN this. Don’t let me retract into loneliness. Help me give grace to my family & friends because I don’t understand why everything is so hard—it doesn’t make sense to me how it can be this hard—so how can I expect them to understand? Forgive me for my anger at them for not understanding. Forgive me for wanting my control back, for wanting to feel capable & self-sufficient. Help me slump into You. Help me grasp hold of Your hand. Help me trust You against every odd. You are enough for me. Help me to remember that You are enough for me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!”

Understanding Depression with Discernment

Hard doesn’t have to equal bad… it’s just hard… & that’s okay, because HARD allows us a reminder that we are not enough & to look to Him who IS.

Hard allows us the miraculous insight into the grace & love & comfort & peace & strength & faithfulness & HOPE of God. WHAT AN UNCOMPARABLE GIFT!!!

And check this: Easy doesn’t always mean GOOD. And don’t let Satan convince you otherwise. God calls him the father of lies for a reason. (John 8:43-44)

Don’t define yourself or others by an illness, instead, consider the 5 parts so you know how to ask God for help & how to discern where Satan may be trying to exploit your symptoms & the consequences of those symptoms. God is greater still!

Shine HOPE by CLINGING to God & HIS Truth, HIS comfort, HIS strength, HIS peace, HIS faithfulness, HIS love, & HIS grace, even when you can’t seem to find any of that within yourself.

HE. IS. ENOUGH.

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 newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for FOUR 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!!

Turtle Backpack (Guatemala)

Handcrafted in Guatemala from upcycled traditional Mayan tipico fabric, every 100% cotton backpack features a zipper closure & totally unique patterns & colors. Send your kids to school with this adorable turtle backpack to help moms in Guatemala send their kids to school too!

Every purchase supports women in areas of extreme poverty in Guatemala.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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!

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!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!