The Number on the Scale Does Not Determine Your Value

It’s no secret that I am overweight. It’s not something I am in denial about.

BUT, I want to start right off by saying that my weight (& your weight, healthy or not) does NOT determine our value.

The number on the scale does not determine your worth.

It is important to remember, however, that humanity has the tendency to swing the pendulum from one end of the spectrum to the other, bypassing the healthy middle. And it is so important that we seek that healthy middle of the swing.

Insecurity-The Bully of Pride

Insecurity has been a lifelong nemesis of mine, following me around like a dark cloud, threatening to convince me continually to not bother trying to make friends because I am just not pretty “enough” to fit in with other people.

I have long believed, erroneously, that because I am not a healthy weight, I am not “good enough.” I have believed that anyone who expresses love might be secretly mocking me behind my back because of my obvious rolls on my tummy & my chin.

And this bully, I have come to realize, is one of pride. God has been revealing to me that I don’t have to be liked to be nice to & serve others.

Insecurity Made Me Do It

I have resorted to baggy clothes in the past, relying on sweatshirts & cardigans to mask some of those rolls.

I have gone through a time in my youth where I would only shower in my clothes because I was too ashamed to look at myself because I was often told that my weight was the source of my social problems.

I have self-sabotaged relationships (before my now husband) because I felt it was easier to love & lose than to love & find out that the love was a lie because I felt too ugly to ever be genuinely loved by someone else.

And I have spent more hours than I can count begging God to make me skinny so that I could “finally be worthy & have value & be included & loved.”

I thought my weight was my problem. And because no diet lasted & no workout routine persisted, I believed I was forever doomed to be the ugly, fat friend that at least made people want me around to make them feel better about themselves.

Rebelling Against “the Problem”

And at the same time, I hated it all. I HATED that I supposedly couldn’t be loved the way I wanted because I wasn’t PRETTY “enough” or SKINNY “enough.” That disgusting standard made me want to SPIT at it.

And so, I spat at it by eating whatever I wanted, not thinking much at all about whether or not it was good for me.

I hated that supposed standard that would determine whether or not I could receive love. I hated it so much. It felt shallow & terrible that a loss of weight was the determining factor on whether or not I could be loved or wanted by friends or boys.

God Revealed It Was a Lie

God blessed me with roommates in college who seemed to be the ideal women—pretty hair, pretty face, good style, good with makeup, thin, popular, confident, smart, fun, etc.

They were gorgeous model-types. And boy was I intimidated (& jealous) so many times. I was CONVINCED in the beginning that they saw me as “beneath” them… as the ugly, fat roommate.

There were some girls my weight & up who lived on our hall, & I just “KNEW” that my roommates probably scoffed & turned their noses up at us behind our backs because they seemed so hot & me… well, so NOT.

But then I would over-hear them whispering or talking quietly—when they didn’t know I was around—talking about me or girls who were bigger than me…. With kindness, respect, & awe…. Talking about qualities they admired about them! NOT gossiping or mocking EVER behind their backs. I honestly did not believe it for the longest time… until I saw it as a consistent pattern.

They MEANT it.

They weren’t just nice as a façade… they spoke kindly about other women who were not the model-look they were, even when those women weren’t around… almost like weight wasn’t a factor at all in whether or not they liked or respected someone.

A Crack in the Lie Was Forming

And then I met my husband. He saw ME. He loved ME. And he showed me God’s love for me in how he himself loved me. He cuddled my rolls versus avoiding them or mocking them. He saw (sees) me as beautiful.

He encouraged me to toss away the baggy clothes & fat-covering cardigans for pretty, floral dresses & cute clothes I felt pretty wearing—the kind of dresses I always felt so pretty in but never wore because I was told they weren’t flattering “enough.”

My husband helped me see that it was ME he loved, not my appearance.

This was new to me! It took me a long time to actually even believe it.

He even said to me multiple times, after years of loving me as is, “I want US to be healthy because I CARE about you. If you were healthier & somehow GAINED weight from it, I would still want you to be healthier because I care about your well-being more than I care about your appearance or weight.” Wow.

Don’t Let the Pendulum Swing the Other Way

But on this journey of recognizing that my value is in NO way tied to my weight, I was tempted to reject caring about my weight at all—to reject altogether the harmful lies I was told all throughout my youth–“throwing the baby out with the bathwater” as the saying goes… rejecting the good WITH the bad.

And then God whispered Truth into my heart. He is helping me divide the two as two completely SEPARATE issues altogether.

1. To have confidence & extend love to others, not questioning whether I deserve it in return because of my appearance. To dress pretty & enjoy it, even if it’s not always flattering “enough.” To feel pretty & appreciate my appearance as is, rolls & all.
2. But ALSO, to steward well the body God has made for me. To care for my body to minimize health concerns & risks. To respect that my husband does not want to see me sickly from poor care of my body & not wanting to add that stress to his life because I love him.

And that’s where the pendulum swing tends to get us… & where it has trapped me for years. I didn’t like the concept of beauty/weight = worth, so I swung the other way in not caring about body stewardship one bit.

But I started out the other way, caring too much about my health because I was too afraid to be fat & unloved.

The Truth Will Always Set Us Free

I can appreciate & love myself & feel pretty AS IS, while still honoring the gift God has given me with this body that He has “knit together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13-16)

This realization has given me SO MUCH FREEDOM & has sparked a new joy in life & a new joy in caring for my body, not to gain likes from others, but because it honors God’s workmanship.

In a life that pursues holiness, as God commands us in 1 Peter 1:16, “Be holy, for I am holy,” it is important that we begin to recognize what motivates our decisions. If we sense God nudging our heart to abstain & then we indulge, skinny or not, that is a choice led by gluttony. We are putting our trust in food (or, more accurately, ourselves), versus God.

God wants us to make healthy decisions. This also means to refrain from starving yourself to feel more worthy of love & affection.

When God nudges us with those warnings, it is not to control or restrict us for an arbitrary power trip, but because He sees clearly the consequences of that decision that may be hidden to us in that moment.

Heed His voice!

Your Weight Does Not Determine Your Worth

Don’t let cravings trump your trust in our Loving God Almighty.

Don’t let cravings make your decisions for you.

Don’t let cravings (or craving for a lower number on the scale) tempt you to choose YOU over God.

Don’t let your cravings “solve” your problems rather than opening up to & leaning into God.

Your weight does NOT determine your worth.

BUT, take care of your body, knowing God made it for YOU.

Not perfection, but progress. And please know that these are just as much reminders for me.

Shine HOPE by letting GOD determine Truth—NOT the standards of others.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Hey! Check out the newly updated Resources & Recommendations page!***)

This blog/website has been running for THREE 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, 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! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Customizable Hoops (India)

Designed to wear alone or customize by adding mix & match charms like our Darling Charm Set, these classic gold-tone hoops from India are a versatile & stylish must-have accessory! Each hoop features an “easy-on & easy-off” open hoop design to make switching up your style simple & quick! Every purchase supports families in areas of extreme poverty in India.

Darling Charm Set sold separately.

In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable women in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.

Purchase these earrings & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

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!

The Wiles of the Devil

I have to admit: Satan is smart. He knows where to hit & how to subtly convince us of things that are just not true.

And something he has successfully deceived me about in the past were all of the many “reasons” why a pursuit of holiness was something I did NOT want to pursue.

Is this something you can at all relate to? Do you feel a stubbornness ignite within you whenever the thought of pursuing holiness comes up? Do you feel overwhelmed by it? Does it make you cringe?

In all honesty, I have felt all of those things & more.

When I thought of holiness in the past, so many emotions were quick to surface (encouraged by the lies I believed about it), drowning out even considering this idea any further.

So, today, I want to spend some time debunking the lies that breed these fears & concerns that Satan so craftily can convince us of if we are not on the lookout for his schemes.

Is Holiness Unattainable Though?

The first & most common offender (for me, at least), is overwhelm… that holiness “must be unattainable.”

When I hear this small, yet lofty, command to “be holy, for I am holy, in 1 Peter 1:16, I immediately flood with the recognition of my many faults, failures, pride, & stubborn nature, etc.. This FEAR rears up in me that I must be PERFECT to please God. And this idea is so daunting to me that it makes my head spin.

And when I feel overwhelmed, what is my first response to it? AVOIDANCE! (I adopt the children’s concept of, If I can’t see you, then you can’t see me!” & pretend that little verse must mean something else, so I’ll just breeze past it to where I feel more confident & comfortable.)

But, the verse remains right there in 1 Peter 1:16, doesn’t it?

If God Commands It… It’s Possible… With God’s Help

So, how do I combat this fear? How do I dislodge this doubt that Satan has so carefully embedded in my heart? This doubt that my sinful nature rears up at, wanting to choose ME over God?

“Jesus looked at them & said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

First, we must understand something VERY pivotal to this whole command for holiness: If God commands it, then it IS possible.

With God, All Things Are Possible

BUT, it is NOT possible in your own efforts! And it is NOT something you are entirely responsible for… It IS a cooperation with & reliance on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, wisdom, strength, power, etc.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church & in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever & ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

And every single time that the Bible tells us to do something (aka how to be holy), “IN FAITH” or “BY FAITH,” God’s Word is not referring to a flimsy faith in yourself, but a faith in the ALMIGHTY God to help you carry it out… a faith that HE has what you need to carry it out & that HE will help you do it!

It’s a partnership born from humility & obedience to God.

It is a desire in your heart, manifested by the wisdom, direction, power, & strength that He provides. A partnership & a process that God will continue working in you as you seek to live for Him throughout your lifetime.

“… being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

Will This Isolate Me? Making Me Unrelatable?

So, with that relief, Satan was quick with more ammo… If I desire this life of pursuing holiness… won’t that make me unrelatable? Isolated?

Won’t people look at me, scoff, & say things like, “Who does this girl think she is?”

Won’t people think I am judging them constantly because I choose God over myself?

Won’t people shun me when confronted with their own unwillingness to surrender when they see me in pursuit of pleasing God?

Won’t I come off as arrogant & self-righteous?

Won’t all of this isolate me from others, rendering me completely unrelatable?

The answer isn’t simple. It’s yes AND no.

Yes AND No

Yes, some people may not understand & may think you believe yourself to be better than them, but others will see the humility it takes to surrender to God’s working out holiness in your life.

Yes, some people may feel “called out” for their own sinful choices, but others will be encouraged to repent & turn back to God for restoration & healing.

Yes, some people may feel threatened by your pursuit of holiness, but also others will be inspired by it.

Yes, you may lose some friends who want to live the bare minimum for God, but you will most likely gain more friends who are serious about wanting to please God with everything they can, with God’s help.

Know the Truth

And how does God sum up His commandments? Like this:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” … Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart & with all your soul & with all your mind.’ This is the first & greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law & the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

Don’t let Satan trap you in his scheming tricks & lies. He is constantly roaming around, seeking who he may devour, & has come only to steal, kill, & destroy. (John 10:10)

“Be alert & of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

But Jesus came that He may give LIFE & to give it more ABUNDANTLY. (John 10:10)

God Is Good. God IS Love.

Seeking holiness may require some giving up of things, but not without replacing it with that which will breathe LIFE into your life. It’s a giving up of the LESSER for the FAR GREATER.

For God’s will is always for our good because HE is Good.

He loves us so much that KNOWING we would reject Him & choose ourselves over Him in so many ways big & small, He STILL created us AND MADE A WAY for us to be restored & redeemed, through the willing sacrifice of Jesus Christ!

A God who loves you THAT much does not ask you to give up good things for worse things, but quite the OPPOSITE.

He asks us to give up things that don’t breathe LIFE into us, so that we can exchange those things for LIFE-giving alternatives.

Squashing Holiness Fears: Unattainable? Unrelatable? Isolating? NO!

Our obedience to Him is a blessing to us… not arbitrary control-trips by an arrogant god, but PURE WISDOM-formed commands by a loving, Almighty God who seeks our good.

Pursue holiness.

With God’s help.

With no ulterior motives.

Not for salvation.

Pursue holiness.

And SHINE HOPE that only comes in living for holiness… living a life that seeks to please God for only the reason of pleasing God–Because that is THE most loving thing you can do in this life.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for THREE 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, 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! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Zoya Earrings (India)

Zoya means “shining, life” in Hindi. These stylishly stunning gold-toned earrings are handcrafted in India, featuring genuine freshwater pearls on a delicate linked-chain design. Every purchase provides fair-trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India.

(*Also Shown: 1/2 strands of the Ellora Necklace, hand-crafted in India.*)

In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable Artisans in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.

Purchase these earrings & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

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!

Self-Effort

Self-effort is something I am far too prone to lean into.

I know this may sound silly, because pretty much everything requires self-effort, but what I mean is the tendency to RELY on self-effort, while NEGLECTING to lean into God’s lead & God’s help–& let me emphasize LEAD, here, because too often I come up with my own plans & then want God to bless them, rather than asking what HIS plan is & help in doing THAT.

In reading “Sit, Walk, Stand,” by Watchman Nee, I was reminded that Jesus is the Vine & we are the branches, as told to us in John 15:5… That we can do nothing apart from Him.

Take a Closer Look

Now, at first glance, this Truth that “apart from Him, we can do nothing” seems outlandishly false. I don’t ask for God’s help doing most everything I do, & yet, I still do it!

But, when we take a closer look at this, it becomes more & more clear that we actually don’t do ANYTHING without His help.

He made everything! (Psalm 104)

He created us, first of all, knitting us together in our mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13)

He provided means to make our oxygen to breathe & lungs to breathe it. (Job 33:4; Acts 17:25; Psalm 104)

He knew all of our days before we had our first. (Psalm 139:16)

He prepared good works in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

He offered salvation that we could never earn ourselves. (Romans 5:8-9)

He gives us a brain to calculate & decide. He gives us our creativity to design. We were made in His likeness (Genesis 1:27)

He gives us our abilities & strengths & gifts & even opportunities! (Hebrews 13:20-21; 2 Peter 1:3)

Every good & perfect gift we have in our lives is from Him. (James 1:17)

He is our EVERYTHING.

And the fact that we believe any differently, that our life is about us, by us, or for us… is really a red flag for the pride in our hearts.

Because, in reality, He IS the Vine & we ARE the branches… & apart from Him, we can do NOTHING. (John 15:5)

We were made by Him to live for Him, through relying on Him. (Isaiah 43:7; Romans 11:36)

Leaning into Him, in Living FOR His Plans

We often lean into things we feel we are good at, where we feel most comfortable or capable, sometimes ignoring God’s nudge toward things that intimidate us.

Take this website & blog for example… It is a dream I have had since the late 2000’s & yet, to me, it seemed impossible then because I had ZERO idea how to do it!

But God was preparing my heart to trust Him with the details as He led me here. He put the steps in place & as He pointed the way, I walked.

He doesn’t put something on our hearts & then leave us to it, hoping we somehow figure it out or muster up enough bravery to face it. HE PREPARES us. HE LEADS us. HE ENABLES us.

Are You Ever Afraid to Ask God for His Will?

I don’t know about you, but there have been seasons in my life where I was actually AFRAID to ask God for guidance because I was overwhelmed with the feeling that I wouldn’t be able to do it.

How silly! How very much that displays my lack of trust in our Good God!

He does not live to embarrass us & make us squirm, giving us tasks He very well knows we canNOT handle, only to chuckle as we try or worse, blame us if we fail.

HE does the work. HE provides the wisdom. HE does the leading. HE provides the strength.

WE obey. WE trust. That’s OUR job in it!

We Can Ask Him with Full Confidence… in HIM!

And that is why we can have COMPLETE confidence when we go to God for guidance & help!

Because we know that:

1. He knows us better than we know ourselves.
2. He sees all the pieces at play in any given moment, even the parts of life coming where we are completely unawares.
3. He has perfect knowledge, perfect understanding, & perfect wisdom.
4. He CARES deeply for you. He IS love. He is Good.
5. He prepares the way for us & enables us where something may seem impossible.

In other words, where God leads, God provides.

The Example of Moses

Think of Moses. He wanted to help his people so badly after growing up with royalty while he watched his people be harshly treated. But when he handled things poorly, by reacting out of anger, bitterness, & hatred, he ran away. But God pursued his heart & called him to return & to lead his people to freedom, with God’s help.

Moses was of course nervous! He had killed a royal soldier. He had run away from home. His nationality was of the slaves, even though he grew up amongst the royals. Moses felt completely unworthy of such a huge task.

But, God knew that Moses but need to rely on GOD’s wisdom, guidance, strength, & power, NOT his own.

And not only did God give Moses the words to say to the Pharoah, He also provided the miracles Himself.

Moses’ job? Obey & trust GOD.

(Read the full story of Moses growing up with royalty & obeying God in following God’s lead to free the Israelites, with God’s help, in Exodus 1-14.)

Our Role Is Trust in & Obedience to God

That is our job in life: Obey & trust GOD.

But too often, we rely on SELF.

We either run life on auto-pilot, not taking much time to consider God’s will in any given moment….

Or, we see what He wants us to do & try to do it without His help or avoid it because we don’t see how to do it ourselves.

I run on auto-pilot A LOT… ESPECIALLY when God teaches me something, so I think, you know, “Thanks, God! I’ve got it from here!” oof

Or, I simply go through life living for comfort or fun, not really stopping to consider what God might want me to do differently, because I am too focused on protecting said comfort/fun in my life, not wanting those idols to be threatened.

Or, when I DO see that He wants me to do something differently, I don’t trust that it’s better than what I cling to, so I often choose to trust me over Him & His plan.

I wrestle against pride EVERY day in these ways.

God, forgive me!

And maybe I write about it too much, maybe I sound like a broken record, but it’s something of which I need to CONSTANTLY be reminding myself.

I NEED Him

I NEED to learn to bow to Him every morning for His day’s plan. I NEED to learn to bow down in every situation where I want to respond by gut reaction versus leaning into Him to love & work through me. I NEED to be willing to see that He is FAR better than my idols I cling to… that the chase for comfort & fun is always fleeting, but the peace & contentment that He nourishes within us are LASTING.

I NEED to OBEY & TRUST Him.

I NEED Him.

Who Is Master of Your Life?

What are you holding back from Him? Where do you determine you know better? Where do your self-efforts seem to shine their worst?

Repent. Confess them to God & ask for His forgiveness. Ask Him to give you an awareness of when you are making these self-effort-decisions & ask Him to help you remember to humbly lean into Him instead of yourself.

His mercies are new every morning—Praise God for that! (Lamentations 3:22-24)

But let us not keep holding Him at arm’s length, as a our life preserver on board “in case of emergency.”

He alone is GOD.

He is our Vine, we are the branches. (John 15:5)

We can do NOTHING apart from Him.

So, shine HOPE by determining to live with Him as your Source, your Guide, & your Strength… to obey & trust HIM.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for THREE 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, 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! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Luminous Studs (North Asia)

These 14k gold-plated mask-friendly studs are mesmerizing, as they sparkle in the light, creating iridescent shades that change with your every move. Every purchase helps support a sex trafficking survivor in North Asia with safe housing, health care, trauma counseling, job skills training, & dignified income.

In North Asia, poverty encourages sexual exploitation of women in brothels. These women want to provide for their families but have few options. Your purchase helps provide sex trafficking survivors with holistic care, dignified income, & hope.

Purchase these earrings & empower a woman in North Asia!

How You Can Help:

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!

What Is Forgiveness?

Maybe you have heard me mention this before, but I have always struggled with this whole topic of forgiveness.

It’s not that I was trying to hold everything against everyone, it’s just that I didn’t understand it.

So, like most things I don’t understand, I have also been praying about it & asking God to help me understand this better.

Is Saying, “I Forgive You” Enough?

When I say that I didn’t really understand forgiveness, one of the reasons for this was because I couldn’t figure out if I was ACTUALLY forgiving someone when I was meaning to.

For example, I understood that saying “I forgive them,” is not the same as actually forgiving them, try as I might to be a “good Christian girl” & “forgive” out loud, it doesn’t count if I am inwardly seething, secretly rooting bitterness in my own heart.

And, since it doesn’t seem to make all the hurt stop when I forgive someone, I wondered if I was ACTUALLY forgiving them or just WANTING to “do the right thing.”

Forgiving Is Hard Sometimes

Another problem I suffered from was not wanting to forgive someone who seemed to not think they needed it one single bit. Say, for example, someone who I believed to love me but who harshly criticized me, thinking it was justified. (See: “Speak the truth, IN LOVE”—NOT one without the other.) (Ephesians 4:14-15)

“Though I speak with the tongues of men & of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)

When someone hurts me intentionally or unintentionally hurts me when in a bad mood (collateral damage) & then thinks because they were upset or because whatever reason, it was okay to hurt me… I really struggle to forgive there, if I am honest.

So, on one hand, I actually struggled WANTING to forgive in those situations, while also not being sure whether I forgave truthfully… because I could still feel the pang of deep hurt in my heart when the topic came up.

“The Unforgiving Servant”

I believe I have already covered not WANTING to forgive others, in my previous blog post: “Dealing with Unforgiveness,” based on the parable Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 18:21-35, in talking about how even if the person who hurt me sees complete justification in hurting me because of a “bad day” or whatever, & even if, in seeing their actions as wrong I want to hold on to it & treat their actions with the contempt it deserves… that God ALSO sees it was wrong, DOESN’T need me to hold on to it for Him, AND can handle the situation & their heart-change MUCH better than I can.

THAT is how we can forgive, even when they aren’t remorseful one single bit. Because we can trust a HOLY & JUST God to handle it far better than we ever could…. AND because He forgave US an even bigger debt that was against HIM.

But, that still doesn’t address the other side to my struggle to understand forgiveness: Is it really considered forgiveness, if afterwards I still feel hurt inside my heart? Can I honestly say I have let it go if I am still hurting?

And God has helped me SO much with understanding this very thing.

God Hears Our Prayers & Leads Us

This last Sunday, we weren’t able to attend church because our pastor was sick & these days, you have to be a little extra careful, so, my husband & I tuned in to my parents’ church online.

Back in June/July, we attended Grace Baptist Church, in Virginia, & had the privilege of listening to the pastor’s series then on the Lord’s Prayer, from Matthew 6:5-15. Well, we weren’t around for the entire series (All SO good–convicting AND encouraging), so this past Sunday, I tried to find where we had left off in that series.

But, in God’s perfect providence, I got the date wrong & selected one we had already heard. And guess what the topic was… Yep: FORGIVENESS.

God knows our hearts & what we need! And HE guides us as we seek Him as our help!

Anyway, ten minutes in or so, we figured it out, but we were encouraged by the message & felt it was good & worthy of the reminders, so we continued on anyway… & boy am I so glad we did!

God is so great. I had ALREADY heard this sermon, & yet it somehow took on new life in my heart this time around. (Much like God’s Word! We may not understand something, but the more times we read it through, as we seek His guidance & growth, the more it is illuminated in our hearts. His LIVING Word! (Hebrews 4:12))

I am so thankful for this, because as I listened, God answered my question of how I could say I have forgiven if I still hurt.

(You can find the first sermon in this series by going to Gracehome.org, clicking menu, clicking sermons, & in Categories, beginning on June 6, 2021– or, click HERE to download this particular sermon that I am referencing today.)

How to Know If Your Forgiveness Is Genuine

The pastor reminded us of what forgiveness IS: forgiveness is canceling a debt, saying they don’t owe you for their wrong against you anymore. Forgiveness is taking a loss. Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself & to the other person, by not holding it over their head.

But, in forgiving the other person, not holding their wrong against them as a debt owed you, it doesn’t mean there won’t still be a wound left behind that needs healing.

And how do we heal? We take that wound to God & ask Him to help heal you… ask Him for guidance on how to heal that wound.

So, how do you know if you have honestly forgiven someone, versus just SAYING you forgive them because God TELLS us to forgive others? (Matthew 18:21-22; Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:14-15)

Ask yourself: “Am I still holding this against them? Do I still feel like they owe me something for this wrong?”

If you answered, “yes,” then you haven’t sincerely forgiven them.

If you answered, “no,” but you still feel a sharp ache left behind in your heart, then ask God to help you address it & heal from the hurt caused you.

God Heals the Brokenhearted

I get it. There are some hurts that run pretty deep in my heart. And although I can honestly say I am not holding it against them anymore, it doesn’t change the fact that their words left scars on my heart that still ache at times.

But God is our Healer. He is wise & able. I can trust Him to heal me & grow me, to work “all things together for the good of those who love Him & are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) I can trust Him.

“He heals the brokenhearted & binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;….” (Philippians 1:6)

What Does It Mean to Forgive?

If that hurt cuts so deeply that you really wrestle against wanting to forgive that person, I get that… I really do.

But in that unwillingness to forgive, we need to repent. We need to confess that bitterness to God & ask for forgiveness from Him.

We need to be careful not to become the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18, wanting forgiveness, but unwilling to give it. God forgave us SO MUCH. We DESERVE Hell & yet He offers grace through the SACRIFICE of Jesus on our behalf, who DIED for it (& rose again).

God commands us to forgive because He knows we are forgiven despite being undeserving. And because He knows a lack of forgiveness only causes even more pain.

We can trust His judgements. We can trust His will. We can trust His commands.

But even if we don’t FEEL like we can trust Him, we should still obey because feel it or not, HE IS RIGHT… 100% always.

Shine HOPE by offering forgiveness, even if it isn’t deserved, because God in Christ forgave you.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for THREE 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, 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! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Customizable Hoops (Golden) (India)

Designed to wear alone or to customize by adding mix & match charms like our Darling Charm Set (golden discs from set shown), these classic gold-tone hoops from India are a versatile & stylish must-have accessory! Each hoop features an “easy-on & easy-off” open hoop design to make switching up your style simple & quick! Every purchase supports families in areas of extreme poverty in India.

(Darling Charm Set sold separately.)

In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable women in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.

Purchase these earrings & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

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!

The Subtlety of Sin

My heart has been convicted recently: I struggle to praise God when I struggle.

Maybe you can relate to that? Or maybe my confession seems reasonable & not necessarily something to even feel convicted about.

But it is.

Why? Because the difficulty I consistently experience in praising God in my storms expresses that those are areas where I don’t trust Him.

As if to say, “because this didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, God must not [care/be able to do better/know what He’s doing/etc.].”

Praise expresses the exact opposite opinion of God. Praise says, “because this didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, God must [care enough to do His better plan over mine/ have a better plan than mine/know better than me/etc.].“

The Dangers of Refraining from Praise

But, as I mentioned, I have been feeling convicted about this because rather than praise, I complain. And not only does complaining show my lack of trust in God, but it opens myself to be vulnerable to Satan’s exploitation of my lack of trust in God.

Opening myself to Satan’s attacks means I am more vulnerable against my struggle with depression, with fear & anxiety & worry. It means I get easily frustrated &/or imbittered.

It makes me doubt God & begin to pull back from Him rather than drawing nearer.

Praise Him in the Storm

We are called to praise Him, even in HARD times, because it puts God back on His throne in our hearts. It reassures us that God has a plan & He knows what He’s doing… that He very much DOES care. It puts our trust back in Him & not in either our circumstances or in ourselves.

And not only does it return God to His rightful place as God in our hearts, but it serves to comfort & reassure us, knowing no matter how hard it is–it’s in His hands.

How Can We Praise Him When It Hurts?

But HOW can I PRAISE while I weep? How can I praise Him while my heart breaks & pain courses through me relentlessly, in the MIDST of great loss or heartache? How can I praise Him while I am hurting?

Prayer. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Draw near to God & He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

Resist the devil & he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

The Holy Spirit interprets the groanings of our hearts. (Romans 8:26-27)

TURN TO God when pain hits. Ask for His comfort & wisdom & guidance & peace IN IT. (Proverbs 3:6)

And start reminding yourself of Truth… Truth of WHO GOD IS. (Psalm 77:11; Psalm 105:5)

Let the Words of My Mouth… Be Acceptable in Your Sight

“Let the words of my mouth & the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength & my Redeemer.” (Psalm19:14)

God, You are Almighty (Isaiah 6:3). God, You work ALL things together for the good of those who love You & who are called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28). You are GOOD (Luke 18:19). You saved me from Hell (John 3:17). You paid my debts (John 3:16). You rescued me (Galatians 1:4). You heal & bind up wounds (Psalm 147:3). You are my Strong Tower (Psalm 59:9). You are my Refuge & Strength & very present Help in time of need (Psalm 46:1). You are with me always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). You are eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27). You alone are God (Psalm 83:18). Your ways are higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Nothing can separate me from Your love (Romans 8:38-39). You are amazing God!

PRAISE Him IN the storm! Turn your eyes to Him. PRAISE HIM.

Will I Praise Him in the Storm? Do I Trust God?

Do you trust Him? REALLY trust Him? Even when all seems to be falling apart?

Do you trust Him?

Shine HOPE into your own heart in the midst of dark situations by determining to trust Him & praise Him—even in the storm.

((NOTE: To read several verses about what God’s Word, the Bible, says about PRAISE, check out this link. (I cannot vouch for this website as a whole because I am not familiar with it, but I found this compilation of verses to be a good resource. Or, try a concordance or an internet search about PRAISE in the Bible.))

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for THREE 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, 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! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Northern Lights Studs (India)

These studs hold labradorite stone, displaying multiple captivating colors that vary in different exposures to light, just like the Northern Lights themselves.

The women we partner with in India do so much more than just create beautiful products. With every purchase, another woman is empowered out of poverty to be self-reliant! 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 studs & empower a woman in India!

How You Can Help:

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!

Keep Your “WHY” in Life Fresh

This topic is relevant to everyone, whether it be a regular church-goer, a famous Christian artist/author/speaker, or even a pastor.

And it’s something I have had to face up to lately… with myself.

God has something to say about this topic, in Revelation 2:2-5:

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, & that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles & are not, & have found them liars; & you have persevered & have patience, & have labored for My name’s sake & have not become weary. Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent & do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly & remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (emphasis mine)

Don’t Leave Your First Love

You see, it’s easy to get into the routine of serving Him… & doing so until it becomes just a routine.

I have to make the continual choice to choose Him & His kingdom first.

This means no running on autopilot… no “finding what works” & just sticking to that.

This means getting fresh direction & guidance from God, through maintaining regular reading of His Word & talking to Him (prayer), willing to let Him interrupt your current track for His plan.

His Great Love for Me (& You)

When I designed & launched this website several years ago now, I was coming out of a pretty dark time in my life, consumed by bitterness & stress that I didn’t know how to manage. And seeing Him grow me through such dark pain really reignited my trust in & love for Him, seeing that when I had nothing, I had everything with Him.

He was my strength & wisdom & hope when I had none to muster from within myself.

He loved me first. He was my first love. His love & care sparked my own love for & trust in Him… & out of that came this website.

What God Wants

But I have to be careful, because my heart is prone to wander.

I get wrapped up in distractions, I find a new normal that works & stick to it… & I begin to rely on my routines & habits & distractions rather than on Him.

It is true that God tells us to live righteously, to live according to His laws… but that doesn’t save me. Jesus saved me.

God sees my heart… my motivations. He knows what drives me.

He is not looking for just good behavior, but continual love for & obedience to Him.

And while I have been running this blog with a heart of obedience, praying for His guidance & help when I get stuck… I have also felt my heart begin to harden.

My Wandering Heart

I have begun to choose ME a little more often.

I have heard His gentle whisper on my heart & ignored it for my way… for comfort… for ease.

I have heard Him nudging me gently with conviction to turn back to Him… & I made choices to keep going anyway.

Satan is so subtle & I am so quick to listen to him tell me the lie that ignoring God is the easier, better route… not in outright sins, but in small ways of creating a pattern of shutting out God’s voice for my own.

He Is Our VINE

And I have noticed the result of shutting out His loving nudges for my comfort/ease. Choosing me over God makes me more vulnerable to Satan’s attacks, when Satan exploits my weaknesses.

I am more easily triggered by my past traumas. I am more prone to being short-tempered or easily offended. I get hurt more easily because I am feeling more insecure. I fill up with anxiety & feel the tempting pulls of depression nipping at my heels. Instead of peace, I feel uprooted & drifting, full of uncertainty.

These are the results of me trying to do life MY way & without God’s help. He is my Counselor & Friend. He is my Healer, my Father, my Redeemer. He alone has perfect wisdom & Truth.

And when I reject Him, even little by little in small decisions, I am literally removing myself as a branch from my life-nourishing, life-giving Vine.

He feeds my soul. He gives me life.

That’s why He DEMANDS my obedience… because without living His way & His Truth, I am pulling away from my true source of LIFE. I am hurting myself.

Don’t Fluff Up Sin–Call It Out & Turn from It!

Oh how it must pain Him to see me stubbornly pull away when all He wants to do is fill where I lack, lift me up, & love me with His Truth.

I have a rebellious & stubborn heart, prone to wander, prone to choose me over God’s ways a million times until I have exhausted myself & cry out to God for help. That’s me. & I’m not proud of it.

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, & stubbornness is as iniquity & idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected thee from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:23) (Ouch.)

And when I started the “Seeking Him” study by Nancy Leigh DeMoss & Tim Grissom, where it has you catalog all your “dirty laundry” mistakes & hard-heartedness, I felt attacked, wanting to donate the book & just move on with my life. I felt despair that although I answered all of the questions, I felt the reared-up tension of not wanting to change, of wanting MY way. I didn’t feel shame or remorse, I felt angry & protective over it.

Even KNOWING it was for my GOOD!

Break Up That Fallow Ground!

And then I read the last page of today’s work page, finishing up Week 1 of the study, & it directed me to Hosea 10:12-13:

“Sow for yourselves righteousness;

Reap in mercy;

Break up your fallow ground,

For it is time to seek the Lord,

Till He comes & rains righteousness on you.

You have plowed wickedness;

You have reaped iniquity.

You have eaten the fruit of lies,

Because you trusted in your own way….” (emphasis mine)

Wow, if this doesn’t just get right to the point, huh? I DID. I HAVE been trusting my own way… & I AM seeing negative consequences as a result!

Let’s Break It Down

And today’s lesson then led me through this list, encouraging me to turn from that “trusting my own way” to GOD’S WAY (summary):

1-Return to righteousness & obey God

2-Accept God’s mercy & forgive others

3-Allow God to plow up your hardened heart

4-Grieve over your sins

5-Ponder the consequences of disobedience you’re experiencing

6-Accept responsibility for those consequences

7-Seek God & His kingdom as priority

So today, I start by admitting to you & God where my heart has been rebellious, taking responsibility for my wrong actions & for the consequences of quick frustration, anxiousness, & hard-heartedness I am experiencing.

Today, I want to change. I want God to revive my heart & bring me back to my love for Him as my “First Love.”

I Want HIM–Jesus Christ as #1

I want HIM to guide my steps, even if that means skipping tv, videos, or game-playing when He prods my heart to do so even if for a reason unbeknownst to me.

I want HIM to guide my steps, even if that means not caving at the first sign of a terrible food decision.

I want HIM to guide my steps, even if that means feeling uncomfortable speaking Truth & Hope into a situation where I would usually keep quiet because I want to be liked.

I need this fallow ground of my HARD HEART to be broken up & I need to RETURN to my First Love.

It’s Time to Desire Revival

God gave everything for me, for us. He made me knowing He would also have to save me. He is so faithful & patient & kind while I am prone to wander & ignore Him.

It’s time for revival.

Are you with me? —Even on our “good days”, there always seems to be that little something we want to hold back from God… what is that in your life?

Pray about it & ask for God to show you… Ask for revival in your heart. Ask Him to revive & renew a steadfast spirit within you (Psalm 51:10), one that seeks His kingdom first & acknowledges Him in ALL things (Matthew 6:33).

To love the LORD you God with all of your heart & all of your mind & all of your soul & all of your strength (Mark 12:30-31), having no other “gods” before Him (Exodus 20:3).

HE is the way, the Truth, & the Life (John 14:6). He is our True VINE (John 15:5).

He is a life-giver, Sustainer, Healer, Friend, Awesome God, Almighty in Power & Wisdom & Strength. He is the One true King. He is GOD.

Thank You JESUS, for saving me! (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; John 3:16)

Shine Hope by letting God break up your fallow ground (packed down, hardened heart) & asking Him to renew a fresh love for Him as your highest priority & love in life.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for THREE 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, 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! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Luminous Studs (North Asia)

These 14k gold-plated mask-friendly studs are mesmerizing, as they sparkle in the light, creating iridescent shades that change with your every move.

Every purchase helps support a sex trafficking survivor in North Asia with safe housing, health care, trauma counseling, job skills training, & dignified income. In North Asia, poverty encourages sexual exploitation of women in brothels. These women want to provide for their families but have few options. Your purchase helps provide sex trafficking survivors with holistic care, dignified income, & hope.

Purchase these earrings & empower a woman in North Asia!

How You Can Help:

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!

A Dangerous Misunderstanding

It is common to hear the phrase “we need to have more faith.” It is even common to tell ourselves we need to “have more faith,” but while this phrase is well-meaning, it is often misleading.

This call to “have more faith” is misleading because it can lead us to believe the exact opposite of what God tells us….

Jesus even told His disciples that they don’t need more faith, when they asked Him to help them have more faith. (Luke 17:5-6)

I understand where this idea to “have more faith” came from, because we are told to “just have faith” & so that often translates into, “well then, I need to have MORE faith, then!”

You may be thinking, “okay, but is it really a “dangerous” misunderstanding?” Most certainly yes!

God made a point to include this quick exchange between Jesus & His disciples because He knew we are prone to place the burden on ourselves instead of on Him… That Satan would exploit situations where we don’t get what we pray for, convincing us that it’s all our fault & if we just had more faith THEN we would get what we want from God….

It’s no bueno (no good). The rally cry for “more faith” really teaches us to have more faith in OURSELVES, if you think about it.

Listen to the Bible

The Bible expresses to us that we actually DON’T need more faith, as Jesus said in Luke 17… but that what we need is faith more often… & even a corrected perspective of God, based on God’s Word–the Bible.

I grew up believing the lie to “have more faith,” believing that everything relied upon me believing in God hard enough… placing the burden on my own shoulders.

And while God does tell us repeatedly to submit to Him & His way… & to place our hope & trust in Him, which is also hard sometimes, God never tells us that His work depends on US believing “enough,” because it doesn’t.

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ & it will move; & nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

Jesus says this because He knows the Truth that God’s working is not reliant on the power of our faith, but on HIS POWER.

So much of the Bible is spent highlighting all the many scenarios in which we should stop trusting in our plan, our wisdom, our way, our efforts… & instead, LEARN to trust GOD & do what GOD says.

God Does What He Says He Will. Period.

You see, our level of faith or the amount of faith we have does not add to or take away from God’s power. His action or inaction is not hinging on this “more faith.”

He works according to His promises. Period. He does what He says He will. Period. And He will do so every single time. Period.

In reading “Sit, Walk, Stand” by Watchman Nee (short book, but Powerful Insight–highly recommend), the author even gives us this hint in saying that because God is faithful to His promises 100% of the time, our petitions should contain less pleading & more praising, knowing that we do not have to convince God to do what He says He will do.

So, when we use this phrase of “we need to have more faith,” we need to also understand this to mean that we do not need more faith, but rather, we need to have faith more often.

Don’t Doubt God… & Pray/Ask According to His Promises

My prayers growing up expressed my misunderstanding of this phrase because I constantly felt like “God must not have answered my way because I am not believing hard enough in Him.”

Well, the Bible tells us that we do not get what we ask because we ask amiss (James 4:3), which means that if we are asking for something that is not in God’s perfect wisdom & will, to use selfishly or self-centeredly, then we won’t get it.

And PRAISE God for that! Because when we ask “amiss” it is because we are thinking & planning & solving in just our limited perspective, knowledge, & understanding, whereas God sees, knows, & understands literally EVERYTHING past, present, AND future. So, PRAISE God that He does not give us what we ask when we “ask amiss.”

God knows the perfect answer to everything, even if it’s not how we’ve decided is best.

We are also instructed to pray without doubting (James 1:6), meaning that if we know God promised something & so we ask Him to carry it out in a certain situation accordingly, doubting is basically asserting the idea that God may not be faithful, which is offensive & dishonoring at best. So, when you ask, ask in faith, trusting God to keep His Word.

Not More Faith, But Faith More Often

But, you might be wondering, how can we insure that we don’t “ask amiss” & how do we avoid doubting God will answer us a certain way?

The simple answer? We need to study God’s Word, memorize it, & get to know it. We need to spend time with God & His Truth–the Bible.

We need to get to know the Bible & His promises to then know how to ask rightly & with CONFIDENCE, without doubting, to ask God of things we know He will carry out. And as our fruit, we can begin to have faith MORE OFTEN.

Shine HOPE by having faith more often.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for THREE 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, 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! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Andean Drop Earrings (Peru)

Handcrafted by our newest Artisan partners in Peru, these unique statement earrings are showstoppers with 24k gold-plated oval studs & framed teardrop chrysocolla stones. Hammered metal & natural variations of swirling green chrysocolla add “Old World” charm to these ethically made earrings. (Designed to pair with our Andean Ring.)

Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty in Peru.

How You Can Help:

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!

I Am a Weak Human

I’m going to be honest with you… I just had pizza bread & soda for lunch & I am not proud of it.

Typically, Jamie & I reserve pizza & other greasy/fatty meals for date-night-in or something special, but I had a lunch craving & I caved with very little resistance (VERY little).

And the other day, I decided not to do my morning walk because it was drizzly out, determining to go later when the rain slowed down… but I didn’t… because I didn’t want to change out of comfy clothes to go out for physical exertion when the couch had already claimed me as a friend.

And last week? I didn’t want to do my blog… like AT ALL. Oh, if you could have seen how hard I resisted doing it.

I didn’t want to pray about any of these things, either, because I didn’t want to do other than what I wanted… & even though I felt that gentle, nudging reminder from God, I purposely ignored Him, too.

I wanted the pizza. I wanted my couch & pajama combo. I wanted to play video games instead of working. I wanted what I wanted.

God Knew Better & I Ignored Him–On Purpose

These things are not inherently wrong. It’s okay to have pizza sometimes, as long as you balance it with a nutritious menu & don’t binge. It’s okay to relax & it’s okay to take a break for games sometimes, even—as long as it doesn’t form a pattern of laziness, over-indulgence, & neglect.

But, the problem was that I knew I needed a nutritious meal because my body was already mad about a poor dinner choice last night. I knew that my body craved getting out for sunshine, fresh air, & exertion & that I denied it for the easy way out. And I knew the reward that comes from spending time committed to this blog, committed to showing up for hope, for you… & it far outweighed the reward of hours with a controller in hand, staring at my tv.

The problem with my choices was that I knew God was whispering over my heart to not make those choices this time, but that I didn’t care… I wanted my way… the cop out. I didn’t listed to or trust or obey God’s loving guidance.

I wanted the instant gratification.

The Patience of God

It had been a long time since I resisted working on my blog. God has grown my heart over these past few years so that it usually seems less like work & more like a joy & a privilege & an honor.

But not last week. Last week felt like I had boxing gloves on & was ready to duke it out with myself to keep from having to do one ounce of work when I wanted to do anything BUT.

God is so patient with me.

I am not running this blog because I have it all together & have the self-discipline to always choose rightly. I make mistakes. I choose the selfish choice sometimes too often (& reap the consequences).

I Am a Weak Human

I am also NOT using that truth of me being a weak human as an excuse.

God has been teaching me to own up & call it [disrespecting, dishonoring, ignoring, etc. God] for what it is.

Instead of, “oh, I am being such a BRAT, aren’t I, God?” (sounding cute & nonchalant about it) it has become instead, “God, forgive me for my selfish behavior where I would rather choose my way than trust Yours. You are God & I am not. Please forgive me for being disrespectful & dishonoring to You.”

I need to OWN up to my wrong actions born from my sinful heart.

Is there anything with which you do that? … Where you just sort of sugar-coat your bad choices like they aren’t really that bad… compared to _________________?

Making light of God’s grace & mercy? His forgiveness?

This is something I do ALL the time. (Regrettably.)

It’s so easy to clearly see where others might be compromising or choosing themselves over God—either their opinion over His Truth, or doing their way vs. His way…. But it is MUCH harder to own up to my own shortcomings & see them for what they are-a sinful, me-centered attitude.

YES!… But First…

In church, on Sunday, our pastor talked about Luke 9, including verses 59 & 60, “He [Jesus] said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go & bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go & proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Jesus’ response may seem harsh, until you think about the bigger picture… that you can’t do anything for someone already gone, but you CAN offer a very real hope to people still around to hear & receive it.

And it hit me… I do this to God ALL the time.

“Oh yeah, God! Of COURSE I want to follow You, but I need to take care of this.”

As if God doesn’t ALREADY know & isn’t sufficient & can’t handle it if I leave whatever it is to do what HE asked me to do.

Like, “Michelle, if GOD ALMIGHTY (Who sees, knows, & understands literally EVERYTHING) asks you to do something, you can GUARANTEE that:

A) He already knows what’s on YOUR schedule,

B) HE can handle what’s on your schedule (or knows it won’t end up needing to be handled at all this time), &

C) asked you to do it NOW because He has a reason for it needing to be done right now, in lieu of your proposed plans.”

Stop & Pray

I like to treat God like He has good ideas, but like I need to fit them in amongst my own responsibilities &/or plans, where as God KNOWS what needs to be done & can handle it MUCH better than I can, so if He says, “GO” then He already has a plan & can take care of it… & He just wants me to GO & do what He asked in the moment.

I need to stop running the show my way, “with His help,” & start living HIS plan, with His help.

I need to learn how to stop [assuming I know all the details] & pray [ask all-knowing God for His say in the matter].

The Right Response

I needed to stop & pray before lunch today, submitting to what He was telling me my body needed right then, letting Him tell me how to care for it & allowing Him to help me carry it out. I could have avoided the tummy ache & headache & sluggish side effects of poor eating choices.

“God, please forgive me for being gluttonous… for choosing cravings over what was good for my body. Forgive me for choosing instant gratification vs. long-term health in caring for the body You made for me. Please forgive me for purposely ignoring You when You were just looking out for me. Now I have the tummy ache & headache consequences when I could have trusted You to show me a healthy AND yummy alternative that would have energized me. I’m sorry for disrespecting You. Help me stop to trust You next time. Amen.”

I needed to stop & pray when God reminded me about my plan to go out for a walk “later” because my heart was really craving sunshine & fresh air.

“God, please forgive me for shoving Your gentle reminder away. You knew it would have refreshed me. You knew it would uplift me. I chose my way & felt defeated by the end of the day for never overcoming my lazy cravings & instead exchanging my walk for ease. Please forgive me for shutting You out & disrespecting You when You were trying to help & uplift me. Help me stop to trust You next time. Amen.”

I eventually did stop & pray last Monday, when I wrestled against my strong, stubborn resistance to productivity.

“God, I do NOT want to work today! I don’t want to! Please! Help me! Remind me that temporary instant gratification is a LIE. Don’t let me quit. Don’t let me give in. Help me. Refresh me. Give me a will to take time to share Your hope & testimony of You. There is so much more value in this blog—LASTING value—than extra time spent on my video games. PLEASE help me. In Jesus’ powerful, mighty name, AMEN.”

Even When It’s Hard

Sometimes it’s not a willing, submissive prayer, trusting God to lead.

Sometimes it’s a full-on FIGHT against my own strong will.

Sometimes it’s a slump-to-the-ground-so-I-don’t-keep-choosing-my-way-&-then-BEGGING-God-to-help-me sort of situation, frustration, angst & stubborn rebellion coursing through me like a mad, raging storm.

And God is SO patient with me. So gentle. So kind.

He knows my heart. I can’t hide it behind a seemingly obedient & righteous smile. He knows.

He sees me.

And yet, He loves me. He grows me. He waits for me. He guides me. He LOVES me.

I don’t do this blog because I have it all together. Quite the opposite!

I do it because despite all of my MANY flaws & weaknesses & bouts of stubborn rebellion, I am loved by a God much bigger than me & far greater!

He is my Rescuer, Healer of scars from trauma, Savior, Guide, Comforter, Counselor, Father, Friend, Almighty God, Creator.

I have nothing to offer Him, but that is okay because He is enough for us both.

Where It All Began

I started with a small, timid prayer years ago: “God, I WANT to serve You, but I don’t know HOW. Show me what purposes You have planned for my life. Show me Your plan. I am tempted not to ask because I am afraid You will give me more than I can handle right now, but then I remember that You know EVERYTHING. You know what I can handle. You know how YOU made me. You know my responsibilities. You are patient & gentle. You can help every step, too. So, show me Your will more & more & help me know HOW to live it. I want Your way… Your plan. Help me see it. Amen.”

That’s where I started. I was SO scared that He would overwhelm me with too much… like Moses probably felt (Exodus 3). But God is SO patient & gentle & kind… AND we can ask Him for His help every step of it!

He knows you. He made you. ASK Him.

Shine Hope by determining to STOP & PRAY, not assuming your solution must happen, but trusting He sees & knows even more/better than You do. You can trust Him!

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for THREE 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, 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! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Radiant Necklace Set (only middle of 3 necklaces shown)

On-trend set of 3 layered necklaces that can be worn together or separately, featuring a labradorite stone, hammered discs, & a blue topaz crystal drop.

In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable women in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.

Purchase this set & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

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 to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

Being Intentional in How We Represent God

So, last week we talked about “Always on Your Lips-Leaving a Legacy,” & this week, I would like to talk about some more specifics on how to make that happen, in practice. In other words-how to teach obedience to God.

Growing up, I never really understood the importance of obeying God, but as I have been highlighting lately, obedience to God is life-changing & brings into our lives a hope we can’t even begin to imagine.

Because of this, how we represent God to the next generation (& even to our peers & elders) is of UTMOST importance. We need to be intentional in how we represent God to others.

And when God commands us to obey Him, it is NOT something requested of us as a “power move” by God. It is NOT arrogance. Quite the opposite!

Why God Commands Our Obedience

He commands our obedience because:

1. He made the world & everything in it, including us.

2. He has authority over literally everything.

3. He knows literally everything.

4. He knows how everything fits together & has perfect understanding/wisdom.

5. Everything He does is meant to bring about our good.

6. Even in our sin/disobedience, HE made a way possible to redeem us by sending Lord Jesus, His Son, to pay our debts.

And this is where we start in leaving a legacy of HOPE… sharing these points about who God is & why we obey Him.

He Alone Is Perfect in All Things

He has:

1. Perfect Authority—which is why we should tremble before Him, determining to do only His will & no one else’s if it contradicts His.
2. Perfect in Knowledge, Understanding, & Wisdom—so we know we can trust Him in everything HE says!
3. Perfect Love—displayed through His extravagant, beyond-practical design of this earth He created for us to steward… & especially through His Son, Jesus Christ, come to earth (Emmanuel-God with us) to set an example, express His love in person, & ultimately pay our debt, rising again after death as victorious over both sin & death.
4. Perfect Holiness–He cannot do wrong, He is completely pure & perfect in all things.

God Can Handle Our Doubts

We also need to teach that God understands when we don’t understand. He is infinite in all things & we are not. He is patient & gentle with us when we don’t understand–so lean into Him for answers & Truth!

Anyone can come to Him for help with a doubt or worry, when something in the world clashes with what He says in His Word, making us tempted to doubt God. He understands & when you come to Him, He will either clear up the doubt or will show Himself worthy of your trust even if you continue to lack understanding.

He is a Good, Good Father.

(See my previous post on “How to Handles Doubts & Still Honor God.”)

Want “More” Faith? Obey Him

We need to teach that to grow our faith, we need to obey first.

LORD Jesus, God’s Son, tells us we need only faith like a mustard seed (very small), because it is not dependent on how big our faith it, but how big our GOD is. (Luke 17:5-6)

This is why the Bible repeats the command to “Fear God” SO many times (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10, etc.), because there will be countless times where His Word doesn’t seem to make sense to us, being finite in wisdom, knowledge, & understanding. But, His judgments are always made in perfect & complete knowledge, wisdom & understanding.

(See my previous post about “Fearing God Is the Beginning of Wisdom.”)

God has perfect authority & say-so, so always defer to HIS judgment, respecting HIS authority in EVERY matter. Because He NEVER gets it wrong or miscalculates.

His judgments are ALWAYS perfect.

And when we live with that understanding, with a willingness to obey first to grow our faith (or, rather… TRUST) in Him… a wonderful thing happens… we always see Him proven right & as a result, we begin to trust Him more & more.

(See my previous post on “Want to Trust God? Obey Him.”)

Pray Without Ceasing

We need to teach how to pray… how to talk to God.

A good starting point is Jesus’ model prayer, in Matthew 6:9-15, meant to show us what we should ask for & how to talk to God.

Another good reference are the Psalms. Raw, real, holding nothing back, but also always remembering that God has a plan, God is in control & asking God to help trust Him in it, come what may.

We should pray for our worries & doubts, we can give thanks when we see Him work or when we acknowledge His beautiful creation around us.

We should pray for peace, knowing His peace doesn’t rely on a bad situation turning good, but that His peace can exist in your heart right as the war is waging.

We should pray for a changed perspective & a changed heart.

We should pray for direction, guidance, or wisdom.

We should pray for comfort & healing in the midst of hurts & long-time heart scars.

We should pray for the words to say when in a tough situation.

We should pray for boldness in sharing God’s GRACE, through Jesus.

We should pray for our leaders.

We should pray for our enemies.

We should pray for the hearts of those who are lost.

We should pray for forgiveness, as we repent over wrongs we’ve done or times where we have grieved the Holy Spirit (done what we knew we shouldn’t) or when we have quenched the Holy Spirit (NOT done or tuned out what we knew we SHOULD do).

We should pray for redemption, a only once needed prayer, recognizing you can’t save yourself & that you need the forgiveness & redemption offered by Jesus’ free gift of His life for ours.

We should pray when we’re anxious or afraid or angry or hurt or worried or lost or alone or sad or overwhelmed or tired or happy or excited or grateful or at peace.

We can & should pray & talk to God about anything & everything… we can turn our inner self-musings to silent conversations with God.

Teach God’s Word

We need to teach Bible reading & Bible study as the most valuable & important endeavor.

(If you’re a woman wanting to learn easy baby steps to studying your Bible, I highly recommend katieorr.me. She has helped me learn so much so that I now have significantly more confidence (starting with little to none) in studying the Bible myself.)

God tells us, in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, that “All Scripture is God-breathed & is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting & training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

In other words, God’s Word-the Bible- is good for telling us what is right, what is wrong, how to get right, & how to stay right.

We NEED it!

PLUS, it is a window into God’s Almighty-ness & His great & awesome love for us (a theme constantly woven throughout it). It helps us see Who God is & what He cares about & how He asks us to live in His perfect wisdom & understanding.

Read It, Think on It, Talk about It, Post It, Study It, Memorize It!

God’s Word is worthy of & should be thought on day & night… something we teach our kids… something we talk about in our sitting, standing, going about the way, & our laying down… something we post on our gates & doorposts & even our own foreheads! EVERYWHERE! Because if we study & live according to His Word, then we will know the Truth, & the Truth shall set us FREE. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; John 8:31-32)

And, last, but not least… we need to teach the importance of memorizing God’s Word. God tells us that part of the armor He provides to us to protect us is “the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17)

He also tells us that when we struggle, even if the hurt or frustration is with a human being… that really, it is Satan threading lies & misunderstandings & strife, exploiting our weaknesses & insecurities to create division & isolation. (Ephesians 6:12-13) (We’re easier to pick off & lie to when we’re separated from others, especially other believers in Christ. BE CAUTIOUS!) (John 10:10)

Because of this, when we face arguments or disagreements or insecurities or worries/anxieties, we NEED to have that Truth floating across our minds to set us FREE from those chains trying to latch on to us.

We NEED to know God’s Word because God’s Word—the Bible—is TRUTH… And God tells us plainly that the Truth WILL set us FREE. ( John 8:31-32 )

So, teach His Word & teach the importance of memorizing it & reading it & studying it & dwelling on it day & night. True HOPE is found in those words from God.

How to Teach Obedience to God

So, as much as someone who doesn’t have kids (but has seen through the eyes of friends who are mothers) can know, I know parenthood is hard & sometimes seems all-consuming.

I know there are so many things that are wrapped up in all it takes to parent a child, from feeding to clothing to cleaning up after to teaching manners & obedience & respect to parents, etc. etc. etc., but I promise you that THE most important thing you can pass on to your children is to know & love God MORE & how to live a life of obedience to Him.

Because they won’t always make the right choices. They will mess up. They will have scars on their hearts, no matter how much you want to protect them. They will do things in secret. And, you won’t always be around.

And one day, they will have to answer to God for THEIR choices… & a pass from Mom won’t count.

So teach them, live an example & a legacy to them… teach them how to obey God.

Shine HOPE.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for THREE 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, 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! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Bold Link Necklace (India)

Make a bold ethical fashion statement with this gold-tone linked-chain design from India. Its “chunkier” look & feel will keep your personal style on-trend, whether you wear it alone or layered with other necklaces from our One World Collection. Completely adjustable, you can customize the length to fit your desired comfort & style. Every necklace has variations as a part of the Artisan-made charm!

In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable women in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.

Purchase this necklace & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

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 to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

Not How I Pictured It

As you may or may not know by now, it has been 8 years since my husband, Jamie, & I decided we wanted to grow our family & have children.

It has also been 8+ years of childlessness.

This has been a challenge I have wrestled with in different ways over the years. There were times of peace & times of tears… there was anger & bitterness… there were times I felt I was being punished by God for the sins of my past.

A while ago, I shared more about this journey in “To the Barren Woman” & “When God Says ‘No” & How to Respond to Others.”

God Always Has a Plan

It has not been an easy road, but on this journey, God has given me the wonderful gift of new perspective. In working through a study by Beth Moore, called “Breaking Free”, God showed me that He always has a plan through 2 verses she highlighted in the study:

1. Luke 1:5-7, calling Elizabeth a righteous woman who followed God blamelessly… but also pointing out her barrenness… erasing the shame-led belief that I was just not good enough to be a mother… &
2. Galatians 4:27, calling barren women to rejoice because they are able to bear more fruit… (spiritual fruit).

You see, my heart had been crying to leave a legacy of grace & hope to this hurting world full of so much of Satan’s craftiness & devious destruction.

And not having children felt like a dagger. But God reminded me that He always has a plan.

Satan Screams Lies… God Whispers Truth

I felt like God was saying I wasn’t worthy (I mean, really, none of us are—but by God’s grace & help!), but my heart yearned to raise children to learn God’s Truth, His HOPE, His LOVE, His GRACE… & to share it with & shine it in the world around them.

And when I went through that study, God showed me that He was giving me that very desire, but on a scale far beyond my hopes & in a way I had never before considered.

What a good & loving & perfect God we serve!

Leaving a Legacy

And so, my heart cry is to lift up you, as the reader, to be emboldened with the Truth & to share the hope & love & grace of God, through the gift of Jesus.

Life can wear us down… we can get covered in routines & habits & distractions & just LIFE, but I want to remain a beacon to remind you (& myself!) that there is a higher calling… a calling that will leave lasting joy & hope for the generations to come.

We can live a surrendered life to God Almighty, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus in & throughout all we do, with the help & wisdom of God guiding the way.

This isn’t just a “when it’s convenient” lifestyle, but a lifestyle that submits to His perfect, loving will in all of the mundane routines & habits of daily life, leaving a legacy of HOPE.

God’s Good & Perfect Will

“The Gospel Changes Everything,” by Meredith Andrews, is playing right now & so eloquently expresses why this moment-by-moment decision to submit to His will & His help is so life-changing.

In my prayers this morning, I felt convicted to ask God to help me better serve others because it’s not a strong spot for me… & in my prayers, He brought these words to my heart as I wrote my prayer, “God, you tell me to serve & love others, not to my expense & detriment, but because you know it is what will really fulfill me. I was designed for it! Help me trust Your design & Your good & always perfect will.”

That’s the same for obedience to His law & His will… we were designed for it & it’s where we will find that perfect unmovable peace. It’s for our good to obey Him! We can trust His judgements fully every time & in every circumstance!

Always on Your Lips

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart & with all your soul & with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home & when you walk along the road, when you lie down & when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

And so, let that perfect, Good law always be on our lips… in our sitting & standing & lying down.

Let us leave a legacy of submission to Him in everything.

Always defer to His judgement.

Always let Him be the lead.

Always trust His Truth.

LIVE for HIM.

Shine HOPE by allowing others to see where our hope comes from. Our hope is in the LORD!

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven & earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

Psalm 92

“It is good to praise the Lord
    & make music to Your name, O Most High,
proclaiming Your love in the morning
    & Your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
    & the melody of the harp.

For You make me glad by Your deeds, Lord;
    I sing for joy at what Your hands have done.
How great are Your works, Lord,
    how profound Your thoughts!
Senseless people do not know,
    fools do not understand,
that though the wicked spring up like grass
    & all evildoers flourish,
    they will be destroyed forever.

But You, Lord, are forever exalted.

For surely Your enemies, Lord,
    surely Your enemies will perish;
    all evildoers will be scattered.
You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox;
    fine oils have been poured on me.
My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
    my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh & green,
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
    He is my Rock, & there is no wickedness in Him.”

(Psalm 92)

For another encouraging song reminding us how a life lived for Him is worth it all, check out another one of Meredith Andrew’s songs, “Worth It All.”

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for almost THREE 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, 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! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Zoya Earrings

Zoya means “shining, life” in Hindi. These stylishly stunning gold-toned earrings are handcrafted in India, featuring genuine freshwater pearls on a delicate linked-chain design.

Every purchase of these beautiful earrings provides fair-trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India. In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable Artisans in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.

Purchase these earrings & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

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 to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!