A Time for Celebration

This week will mark NINE years of marriage to my loving husband, Jamie.

To celebrate, we had a lovely weekend visit to Morioka, Japan over this past weekend, complete with a trip to the zoo, a stroll through a beautifully landscaped castle ruins park, Mario Kart face offs at a giant arcade, enjoying (twice!) the best brunch I have had in Japan (@ Brunch Morioka), & lots of shopping.

It was a great trip made even greater by the company I shared with my best friend AKA my husband.

Not a Façade, But We’re Not Perfect

Many people have told me that me & my husband seem like newlyweds at times, laughing & teasing each other, being flirtatious, & just being good friends with one another.

But we’re not perfect. Neither one of us is.

We have our days in the grumps, we argue sometimes when we disagree, & we don’t always agree on everything.

But we have a secret weapon. We know the Truth… We know the Way-Maker.

Every Relationship… We Are All Imperfect

Satan would have married couples believe that one disagreement or fight (or maybe many) means your marriage is a sham… that “maybe you’re not meant for each other after all.”

But isn’t difficulty & challenge present with every close friendship? Even every family relationship (aka sister cat fight, haha)?

When one imperfect person marries another imperfect person, it is only logical that you will imperfectly relate to one another.

That doesn’t make your marriage broken… just human. And Satan likes to twist that to cause even more damage, sorrow, & anxiety.

Growing Up with a Sister

One of my sisters is just two years younger than me, so we grew up together. And there were days where we would “hate” each other so much that we would yell as much while running to our room, followed by a door slam that echoed throughout the house.

Of course, typically, my mom would FORCE us to hug it out & tell each other, “I’m sorry” & “I love you” (but made us repeat those words until we said it “like we mean it”).

It was the WORST. But I am super grateful for it now.

What I once had to say to her with a rolled eye & a squeaked out “I love you” (full of disdain), has ended up developing a bond in us that cannot be easily broken.

My mom always said to us, “She is your sister. She is your lifelong friend. Where other friends come & go, you will always have your sister. So, make it work!”

Such wise words & ones I have clung to throughout my life.

And the same goes for marriage.

We’re not perfect. But he is my lifelong friend. And where other friends may come & go from my life, I will always have him.

A Husband Can’t Replace God

Early on in our marriage, I put a lot more pressure on my husband than I should have. He was working long hours & came home ready to be a vegetable for a while, but I was lonely & put that weight on his shoulders.

This created a lot of strain on our friendship because he wanted to help but couldn’t & I felt unloved if he didn’t.

(I hesitate to say, “it put strain on our marriage” vs “on our friendship” because God says two become one flesh (Mark 10:8-9) when you commit yourself to marriage (just as my mom mentioned about sisters… my sister & I will always be sisters, even if we were to stop associating with one another), so we’re in it regardless… but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy.)

In other words, I was looking to the wrong one to fulfill me. My husband was never meant to be that missing piece. He is meant to be my partner in this life… my friend… the other half of a marriage meant to give God glory.

And through my tearful prayers, God revealed Himself as our Way-Maker.

God Is Our Way-Maker

When I felt alone & depression threatened to flood my heart, putting full weight of it on my husband’s already tired back, God encouraged the both of us to turn to HIM instead of pressuring or pushing away each other.

Instead of being pit against each other, debating against each other for our right solution or even growing numb & giving up on the solution altogether, God encouraged us to rejoin as ONE team, turning to GOD for the solution against the problem.

God reminded me that we do not wrestle against flesh & blood. That yes, we may have disagreements or misunderstandings, but that God can bring a solution… while Satan wants to twist & aggravate the situation until the relationship is “damaged beyond repair.”

God brought us back to the same side so we could fight the problem (vs each other) together under God’s direction, wisdom, & peace.

God was our glue… our bridge… our Way-Maker.

God Always Knows How

And through our prayers, tensions waned & our friendship grew.

God helped fulfill me & see the little ways that my husband expressed his “I love yous” & He helped me to be a better support to the stress my husband faced with his long hours.

And over the years, this has become our pattern: have a human moment of grumpiness or disagreement, maybe not handle it right at first, but remember & turn to God for wisdom, peace, & a solution.

This has helped us cultivate TEAM HYDE.

We are not impervious to Satan’s jabs & attacks. We fall for them sometimes.

But we know the way back.

We have to turn to God & stick together, unified against the threats of Satan’s attempts to attack our marriage & friendship.

Pray Over Close Relationships with Family & Friends–You Better Believe Satan Wants Them OVER

And the same goes for other family members or even friends.

Anything that has potential to give God glory is for sure a target Satan will attack.

Remember that fact when faced with disagreements & arguments… especially for those relationships that encourage you to look to God as your hope & source of solution. Those who edify & encourage you… or those for whom you edify & encourage.

Turn to God. Ask Him to help you cut through any lies or misunderstandings.

Ask God

Ask Him to put a hedge of protection around your close friendships.

Ask Him to keep you alert to Satan’s tricks, schemes, & lies when it comes to those close relationships.

Ask Him for His wisdom, peace, & help.

And always turn to God in all things big or small….

Because GOD is our WAY-MAKER.

Shine Hope by always turning to Him as the Bridge back together, the Glue to keep you together, & the Way-Maker when things seem impossible.

Because God is in the business of doing the impossible EVERY DAY.

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” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, 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 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. Designed to pair with our Andean Ring, hammered metal & natural variations of swirling green chrysocolla add “Old World” charm to these ethically made earrings.

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 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!

The Two-Fold Answer

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17) (Emphasis mine.)

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test & approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing & perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) (Emphasis mine.)

So, what is God’s will? That’s what I would like to talk about today & it’s a two-fold answer.

First: God’s Law Is Perfect

On one hand, you have the more obvious answer of how to know what God’s perfect will is, & that is His Word… His law.

Now, I have talked about this many times, but the word “law” should not evoke feelings of recoil or indignation, but, as shown all throughout the longest chapter in the Bible—Psalm 119, God’s law is so beautiful & wonderful & something to be highly treasured & valued!

You may be thinking as I did through the many times of running across the many verses of Psalm 119—“People can’t actually ENJOY & TREASURE God’s law… Because laws are constricting & limiting. The writers of these psalms are just saying what they think He wants to hear because it makes them look ‘spiritual’.”

I get that, if that’s you… I totally get that because that was me for most of my life.

But, as I get to know & love God more… the more I seek after Him… the more I am proven completely wrong on that front. God’s laws ARE amazing.

As 2 Timothy 3:16 puts it, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, & is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness….” Or, as many a pastor has put it, “the Bible is good for knowing what is right, what is wrong, how to get right, & how to stay right.”

God’s Law Is Perfect in Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom, & LOVE

Why? Because God literally knows EVERYTHING & has PERFECT understanding…. AND He made sure we had that information available to us.

What a wonderful, loving God indeed!

And so, knowing everything, understanding everything perfectly, AND making sure we have that information available to us… it only stands to reason that HIS WILL stems primarily from HIS WORD.

To KNOW His perfect will, we need to get to know God’s Word—that’s where reading & meditating on & studying His Word comes in as SO IMPORTANT, nay, even the MOST important way we can spend our time.

And the most VALUABLE way we can spend our time on earth.

Knowing Is Not Enough

But KNOWING is not enough.

Now, before the recoil comes bubbling up again as it would have once done to me… this is NOT a guilt trip post. This is NOT a post to say “YOU’RE NOT DOING ENOUGH, WOMAN!”

NO.

This is to say that just knowing is not going to do very much good at all. Just like faith (in God) holds little value unless we ACT on what we claim to believe & live it out. It’s like knowing the cure & not taking it.

As my earlier post pointed out, if you want to grow in your faith… you need to DO what God says aka OBEY His Word. (Check out that post, here: “Want to Trust God? Obey Him.”)

James 1:22-25 has something to say about this, too. That knowing without doing is like a man (or woman) who looks in the mirror & then immediately forgets what they look like… aka it’s worthless, pointless, & doesn’t do you any good. It’s wasted.

Second: Letting God Be in Charge of You

And here’s where the two-fold part comes in… we can have book-knowledge of God’s perfect will, through His Word… BUT, we also need to ABIDE.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain [abide] in Me & I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing,” is what Jesus tells us in John 15:5.

God tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:16-18) & to be as branches on Him as the vine for a reason… we NEED to constantly be drawing FROM HIM.

ABIDE in Him.

We need to get used to telling Him everything, asking Him for every need, turning to Him in every situation, & drawing from Him for all things big & small.

And the more we learn to ABIDE IN HIM, the more we will know His good & perfect will for EACH MOMENT.–Not just knowing His Word on a general basis of loving others, forgiving as God forgave us, praying for those who persecute us, etc….

… but help in knowing how to apply His Word at any given moment.

Let God Interrupt Your Plans

AND, being open to let God change your schedule to work out His plans… His good works that He has prepared in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10).

And how better to redeem our time, as Ephesians 5:15-17 tells us, than to offer our schedule to God & be willing to let Him change it according to His perfect will for that day?

God instructs us, in James 4:13-15, not to hold too tightly to our own plans, but to be willing to stay open to GOD’S PLANS.

Be willing to let Him have the reins of your day & to guide your hands & feet as you go about it.

To know God’s perfect will… to redeem the time for what has lasting value in this world… you need to be leaning into Him consistently & saying, “God, I have this planned for my day, but if someone needs You, help me to be sensitive to it…. If You have a good work set out for me today, help me to be willing to sidestep my schedule to be available for Your plan for today. Help me make myself available to You over my routines, habits, & plans. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.”

Because, only when you are willing to have God shake up your schedule & let Him work out His own perfect plans will you begin to see His good & perfect will fleshed out in your life.

Personal Example

I promise that letting God interrupt you is 100% always better than what you had planned.

In college, I was on the spiritual leadership team on our dorm (Go LU!) & there were many times where I had tests to study for or papers to finish or speeches to memorize… & then a young lady would knock on my door, asking for counsel, a listening ear, or prayer support.

I wish I could say I was immediately willing, but I have a hard time tossing my schedule to the wind, so every time I would stop & pray silently where only God & I knew & I would say, “God, I know she is more valuable to You than whatever grade I may get on this assignment, so if you want this to consume my time in place of my task, please give me peace, give me compassion, & help me love her on Your behalf. I trust You with the rest. Amen.”

And she & I would talk & she would share her woes & we would pray together. We would both leave the conversation refreshed, edified, & reminded of God’s goodness, power, & love.

And EVERY time, God would either give me the strength to study way past my old self felt capable (I went to college later in life & late nights were not a thing for me, haha)… or the test/paper/speech would be postponed… or the assignment would be easier than I was believing it would be & that extra study time would have been a wasted effort.

God always took care of the rest when I surrendered my schedule to His plans.

What Is the Perfect Will of God

So, what IS the perfect will of God?

To understand the answer to this, you have to learn to seek to 1—KNOW His Word, & 2—LEAN INTO HIM moment-by-moment.

Only then will you begin to redeem your time in a fulfilling way, the way God designed it to be.

Consistent in His Word, consistent in time talking with Him & made available to His lead for each day.

It’s not easy.

I go on auto-pilot… I set my plans & have a hard time with impromptu plans….

But, I want to be used by God. I want my time to mean more than getting through the week.

Shine Hope Through God’s Good & Perfect Will

God sees the hurting hearts. He sees you if you’re reading this with a broken heart. He knows our struggles & tears & hurts & trauma & fears….

But He also knows His plans for you. He knit you together in your mother’s womb. He understands your thoughts from afar off.

He sees EVERY individual even better than they see themselves. And He knows their needs on an intimate & deep level. AND He cares so SO much for them all.

So, be a vessel of hope. Because we may not see a need, but He does. He knows. And He knows how to help. All we have to do is be willing to trust His lead.

Redeem your time.

Don’t live as unwise, but as wise.

Understand what is the perfect will of God.

And be a light of HOPE for Him, through Him.

Shine Hope by knowing what is the perfect will of GOD.

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 over TWO years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, 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!!

Silver Medallion Necklace (India)

This textured silver-tone chain from India can be worn separately or layered with other necklaces from our One World Collection. The uniquely textured pendant adds the perfect artistic touch. Three length options allow you to choose your comfort & style.

Every necklace has variations as a part of the Artisan-made charm! And every purchase provides fair-trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty 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!

Forgiveness Is Important to God

Forgiveness is a pretty big deal to God. So much so that He set the ultimate example in that “while we were still sinners, Jesus Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

But it’s something that is very challenging for me.

It’s not that I hold grudges or get pouty, but if someone is intentionally spiteful or if I see a Christian, who represents Jesus Christ, misrepresenting Him, I can feel an immediate wall go up between me & that person.

I understand that we can sharpen one another as iron sharpen iron (Proverbs 27:17) & that certain circumstances require loving confrontation to correct the wrong (2 Timothy 4:1-5) (Ephesians 4:15), but in the case of someone who is unrepentant or uncaring, we are called to forgive anyway. (Matthew 18:21-22)

Not Understanding

Learning to forgive is something I have been praying over for the last couple of years or so.

… Not that I mean to be unforgiving, but I struggle even understanding what it means TO forgive.

Some people describe forgiveness as a “forgive & forget,” while others say “forgive but be smart & never forget.” Still others act like forgiveness means completely excusing the wrongs committed.

Apologies Go a LONG WAY

In my past, I have often had people say very hurtful things to me that caused a lot of emotional scarring on my heart, only to have that person brush it off after their emotions calmed down, implying to me that their hot emotions justified their hurtful words.

This sort of behavior can be quite harmful, as it makes the victim feel to blame.

That is why it is so important, if you emotionally lash out at someone, whether they be your child, spouse, parent, friend, or stranger—to apologize—to take responsibility for it & express remorse to the person wronged.

Taking the Burden on Myself

On my end, I cultivated an even more dangerous habit in response… I began holding on to their wrongs myself, as if me deciding to let them go justified those wrongs somehow. In my opinion, those wrongs needed to be seen as wrong & if the person wouldn’t acknowledge it, my heart wouldn’t let it go.

I wanted that wrong to be treated as a wrong versus being swept away as if justified.

But that’s not my job. I don’t need to bear that burden or responsibility.

Jesus paid for those wrongs. God is the Judge.

Not me.

My Journey with Forgiveness

And that’s what God has been teaching me in my quest to understand the meaning & practical application of forgiveness.

I don’t have to hold on to those wrongs.

God knows those wrongs are wrong. God is the Righteous & Perfect Judge. HE can & will handle it, even if that means it being covered on the cross when Jesus paid our debt before God.

And then the Holy Spirit brought a passage in Matthew 18 to mind. (In other words, God brought in “the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17) aka RHEMA, where He seems to highlight a section of Scripture meant to deal directly with what you have been seeking God for help with.)

The Unforgiving Servant

This passage in Matthew 18 contains a parable (story told in the Bible to illustrate a specific Truth from God) about the Unforgiving Servant. Read about him below:

“Then Peter came to Him [Jesus] & said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, & I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife & children & all that he had, & that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, & I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, & forgave him the debt.

“But that servant went out & found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; & he laid hands on him & took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So, his fellow servant fell down at his feet & begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, & I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went & threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So, when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, & came & told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, & delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

“So, My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matthew 18:21-35)

A Truth from the Parable

As you can see from this parable, unforgiveness is no joking matter to God. He takes it very seriously.

And in His seemingly harsh reaction to it, we can be tempted to forget that the punishment threatened here is exactly what we deserve.

Actually, we deserve Hell because of our “infractions” aka SIN against God, but instead of demanding we suffer or pay, He covered our debt through His compassion for us.

But then for us, having been forgiven SO MUCH by HIM, to go & NOT forgive so much LESS from others… well, in God’s eyes, it is deserving of the wrath we had been spared.

We need to be careful not to hold what others owe us over their heads.

Because God surely doesn’t do that to us, & if He did, we would surely be crushed under the weight of all we would owe Him.

Forgiveness Even When Found Guilty

In that story, the fellow servant owed the original servant. It’s not that the servant was innocent & “deserving” of forgiveness. The servant owed money & deserved repercussions for not paying what was owed.

But that first servant was called to forgive anyway… because he had been forgiven a debt far greater.

Dealing with Unforgiveness

Forgiveness seems impossible when I am only looking at what others owe me or at the wrongs they have done against me… when I see their lack of innocence as glaringly obvious….

… But then, when I compare their debt to myself & my forgiven debt to God….

… And ask God to help me let go & let Him take His seat as Redeemer & Judge…

… Then it’s a lot harder for me to keep holding on to that unforgiveness against their wrongs.

Because I deserve GOD’s wrath, but He forgave me & covered my debt when I asked Him to cover me. He had compassion on me.

Let Go, Let God, Pray & Forgive

I need to remember that when I am wronged. I need to pray for them who persecute me & love those who make themselves my enemy (Matthew 5:44) & consider their payment as also coverable by Jesus’ blood, just as mine was covered.

And I need to forgive, let go, & let God.

Shine Hope by letting God sit in the Judge’s seat & by trusting Him to handle it… because that’s not your burden to bear anymore or ever.

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 over TWO years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, 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!!

Long Chain Necklace-Silver (India)

This silver-tone link-chain design is handcrafted in India & is totally on-trend! Wear alone, double up, or layer together with other chain necklaces from our One World Collection, like our Long Chain Necklace – Gold. Every purchase provides fair trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India.

Artisan Story

Vishnu’s Story of Hope:

“When I was 19 years old my friend introduced me to this work. Then I started work with a factory. When I was in the first factory, the boss & working environment were not friendly. I also faced issues with my colleagues. I was not liking the work much.

But now, I enjoy my work. I like making & setting stones with the silver & brass jewelry, mostly setting earrings & rings. I’m educating my children & my work is helping me to achieve my family goals. I’m still facing hardships in my life, but I like being an Artisan. I hope to earn more for my family & fulfill their dreams, so they can enjoy a good life in the future.”

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!

A Shocking Realization

I was recently convicted by the Holy Spirit in an area I hadn’t really considered previously. Those moments are always great, aren’t they? We get lulled into thinking we’re doing pretty well as a human being & then BAM, you realize you haven’t been doing quite as well as you previously imagined.

Now, this isn’t something He does to push us down with guilt & shame, but to lift us up, putting away the old me & replacing that with better habits that honor & love both God & others better & more intentionally.

So, I had one of those moments when I came across Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Emphasis mine.)

Only What Is Edifying

Now, because I had seen improvement on the first half of that command, watching my mouth to not accidentally slander or gossip, & cleaning up my vocabulary from the unwholesome talk of my youth, I thought I was doing pretty well here.

But when I read that verse this time, the second half seemed to lift off the page & present itself upon my heart, “… only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” ONLY what is edifying to others.

Wow, now THAT is a tall order.

Much Improvement Needed

I have much improved, with God’s help through the Holy Spirit, on the “what NOT to do” in that verse’s first half, but often I wildly neglect the responsibility given for me TO DO in the second half.

ONLY what helps build others up according to their needs… ONLY what edifies them.

I promise you that is not something I live up to currently.

Social Anxiety Wins Too Often

You may see my blog’s (hopeful) encouragement & my social media presence of mostly (hopeful) encouragement, but in person? Social awkwardness & social anxiety of just trying to get through the conversation without looking &/or feeling like an idiot is my main & usually ONLY focus.

Now, I try to be kind & caring & all that… but I don’t intentionally pray for God to help me find words that will build them up… that will leave them encouraged… that will do lasting good in their hearts.

I just get in & get out, hoping to not look a fool.

And then that little verse.

Be His Light in the World

I realized I have been more concerned with being liked (or at least accepted) instead of being a LIGHT of hope & encouragement… intentional in building others up whom God places in my path.

I have been looking out for ME, instead of trusting GOD to do that, while looking out for those around me.

How convicting.

How selfish I am & how untrusting of God that reveals my heart to be.

A Prayer of Repentance & for Growth

“LORD, I see this reminder… this Truth. I see the call in it to trust You with my image or worth while seeking how I can be intentionally blessing others with my words… building them up… encouraging them… nourishing them with Your call of hope, Your LOVE, & Your Truth. I have been an unwilling messenger. Please forgive me. Help me to be bold in speaking Your Truth in love, in shining hope into the lives of those I interact with every day. Help me to stop trying to save face or to stop fading into the background, & help me to realize people are worth it. You DIED for them. Your Truth is for them & WILL help them whether they get that or not. Your ways are good. Help me be a voice for that Goodness & HOPE. Help me not self-protect, but to SHINE FOR YOU. Your glory, their blessing. Your glory, not mine. Help me grow here. Please help me. They’re worth it. You’re worth it. You’ve got me. They’re worth it to You, God, so they should be worth it to me. Help me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.”

Not Easy, But God’s Got You

I get that it’s not easy. I feel you. (Or maybe this is an area you thrive in already?) But God can help you improve. He can bolster your confidence & give you the words. He can be your ENOUGH.

Every person is seen by God & known intimately by God. He sees their hurts & their struggles & their hearts. And He may be sending you as His messenger to show them He sees & cares for them. Shine for Him, through Him–for them.

Shine hope by determining to ONLY speak what is helpful in building others up according to their needs, willing yourself to lean into God for help when you want to freeze up or flee the scene.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for a new blog post with 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 over TWO years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, 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.

Artisan Story (Dulal)

“When I was 19 years old, I wasn’t interested in further studies. My life was just sad. I was not aware of my abilities & was just in search of some work. I was depressed due to economic conditions. Then my friend introduced me to this work. My previous boss used to treat me very badly.

Now, I enjoy my work! It’s helping my family & me. I’m capable enough to fulfill my needs, & I’m making all types of handmade jewelry. So overall, it’s a big achievement for me! I’m happy to be an Artisan. I have hope for a good life in the future!”

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!

Blue in the Face

This is something I feel like I need to talk about until I am “blue in the face” mainly because it’s something I wrestle with almost every single day.

I like knowing what is right & wrong & where to draw the line. I like being sure that what I believe is true before acting on it. I like feeling like I understand & agree before I endorse or move forward with it.

And, while the Bible does tell us to “test the spirits” aka make sure it’s God instructing & leading you versus a ploy of the devil that almost seems about right… there is a difference in having discernment & making excuses.

I Know It’s God & I’m Still Not Sure I Want to Do It

You see, the areas I am talking about are not things I need to figure out whether it’s God’s leading or not… no, they are things I already know full well that God instructs, but I’m not sure I have wrapped my head around the why or the value in it.

In other words, it is me seeing if I agree with God before I obey God.

And that is dangerous territory, my friend.

God Is ALWAYS Right

Why? Because God is always ALWAYS 100% right in EVERYTHING & has ALMIGHTY power & understanding in all things.

So, when I hear what He says, don’t get it or think I know better, so I don’t do it… it’s foolish… it’s arrogant… & let’s call it for what it is—sinful.

Ways I’ve Done This

Maybe you’re wondering what I mean when I say I do this far too frequently… what are my examples of this….

I could name so many off the top of my head, but I will name a few to help you get the picture.

God says not to lust & not to practice sexual immorality (aka anything outside of you with your husband), yet, for years, because I struggled with this area of temptation & me not having been married until I was 28, justified my fantasies by saying, “BUuuuut, I have these temptations & I don’t have a husband, so God, Your law here doesn’t make sense to me, so I will fantasize because at least then I am not having sex technically.”

But just because I didn’t get WHY, doesn’t justify my disobedience here.

I didn’t agree or understand, so I chose MY way instead.

Healing After MY WAY

And it built up SO MANY scars in this area that when I HAD God’s way, I had to have His help healing through all of the resulting scars before I could enjoy the way God had designed it to be enjoyed—with my husband.

And that’s why God told me NO. Because He KNEW those scars were a result of going outside where He said to stay. But I didn’t listen because I thought little ol me knew better than Him.

More Subtle Examples of Having Faith in Myself

And here is a more subtle, yet EQUALLY powerful example… reading my Bible & praying (aka turning to God in all areas of life & giving Him thanksgiving & praise).

He tells us to meditate on His Word (the Bible) day & night. He tells us COUNTLESS times to PRAY… but I didn’t want to feel like I was checking off a to-do list… I didn’t think I understood what I was reading anyway… I thought I understood the basics, the “gist” of it & that was “enough”… I thought going to church was my solution for that… I thought it was too boring… I thought I was just too busy… I thought I was too easily distracted to do it….

AKA I thought I knew better than God.

Obedience Does Not Add to God… He Tells Us to Do it for US

But, hear me on this… GOD DOES NOT NEED YOU TO READ YOUR BIBLE AND/OR PRAY.

You might be like, now wait one minute!! You just said He commands us to do those things!

But re-read that bold statement again… HE doesn’t need it… He tells us to do those things because He knows WE need them!

So, for me to be too busy, too distracted, too bored, etc…. is the same as saying, “God, I know better than You on this one.”

But ya don’t… & I don’t either, no matter how often I am convinced that I do.

Check Yo’self Before You Wreck Yo’self

And there are SO MANY examples of this type of subtle little arrogance in my life, where my actions are basically telling God, “No, I know better than You on this one.”

OUCH.

This should not be so! How ARROGANT of me! How FOOLISH! How shameful.

God is helping me to see this pride. He is helping me see that I don’t have to trust Him first on something or see the ‘why’ behind it or put all the pieces of it together first to see how it will or will not turn out in my favor.

What I NEED to do is OBEY.

Because, get this, WHEN we OBEY… TRUST GROWS.

Naturally.

Trust Is a Natural Fruit of Obedience

Trust is a natural fruit of obedience. Because the more we obey, even when it doesn’t make any sense to us at all, the more we learn to realize that His wisdom far surpasses our own… the more it grows our confidence in HIM.

And the more we obey & the more we grow in trust in Him as a result, the more ready we are to say, “Well God, I don’t get it, but I know You do, so lead the way!”

Knowing He is big enough to handle the obstacles in your path.

Knowing He is strong enough to bolster your strength, too.

Knowing He can handle what you can’t.

Knowing He knows what you don’t.

Knowing He sees what you can’t.

Knowing He is GOD & you are not.

Want to Trust God? Obey Him

This is what the Bible talks about fearing God as the beginning of wisdom… it’s saying, “Oh wow, You are obviously greater than I, so I know I can trust Your judgement much more reliably than I can EVER trust my own.”

Obedience nurtures, grows, cultivates, & strengthens faith because He never gets it wrong… EVER.

Want to grow in faith? Want to trust God more?…

Then OBEY Him. (And trust me, I am talking to myself on this one because BOY am I WEAK in this area!)

Shine HOPE through obeying God & showing yourself more that EVERY time GOD CAN BE TRUSTED.

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 over TWO years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, 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!!

Sea Glass Necklace (Jordan)

Artisans recreate the look & feel of sea glass by upcycling glass bottles from local hotels and restaurants that would otherwise be discarded, & tumble it with water & sand from the Red Sea until it is smooth & resembles the beautiful pieces found in nature. Sizes & colors may vary.

Artisan Story

Manal’s Story of Hope:

I love being an Artisan in Jordan. It’s given me the opportunity to learn new things. Working with the other women gives me a reason to get up in the morning. We’re a family, not colleagues. Since partnering with Trades of Hope, I’ve become stronger as a person and more confident. Your purchase helps me pay for my daughters’ university. I’m proud that my daughters will earn degrees. Thank you!

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!

I Thought I Was Exercising Faith… I Was Wrong

God has really been emphasizing this point to me over the last year or so that what I was considering as my faith gauge was not in fact an accurate measure of my faith.

I feel like this word, “faith” gets thrown about pretty freely today. Do you get that sense? Like, “keep the faith,” “just have faith,” etc.?

But I am noticing that where I thought I had faith, because I was surely praying about stuff… I was actually just having faith in how I thought things should be or what I thought should happen… & then asking God to make it happen.

My faith was actually in myself, but I was calling it “FAITH” because I was turning to God to make it happen for me.

God Doesn’t Do Our Bidding… He Fulfills His Promises

Faith does not control God. Faith does not make God subject to us as our genie to do our bidding.

And God does not NEED us to pray. He does not NEED us to read our Bible even… He tells us to do those things because He knows perfectly that WE need them.

No, faith is turning to God for what He has already promised to us, asking Him to carry out His promise to us & asking for His help in walking obediently to what He has called us to do, BY FAITH… in HIM.

What Is Faith?

Faith gives substance to things unseen. Faith shows that someone other than us (GOD) should be calling the shots & should be consulted for Truth & wisdom & direction in our lives.

Faith is OBEDIENCE.

So, if you want to check your TRUE “Faith” gauge, check your life.

It’s easy to quote Scripture & memorize verses & pray… but unless we actually act on what we say we believe is true… can we really say we’re sincere in our faith?

Faith Is Obedience… Even When We Don’t Understand It First

Because faith is not equated to wishful/hopeful thinking.

Faith is not believing God is real (the Bible says even the demons believe & TREMBLE!-James 2:19)

Faith is not believing God CAN & so asking Him to do it OUR way.

Faith is surrender. Faith is submission. Faith is OBEDIENCE.

Because if we really believe that God is all-knowing, all-wise, Creator, Redeemer LORD Almighty… wouldn’t we obey because we know He ALWAYS knows best anyway?

How Can We Have Faith If We Don’t Get It?

I have done a post before about obedience not being a bad word… & the reason for that is because God LOVES us SO MUCH that because we are selfish & rebellious & prone to wander from Him, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay our debt FOR us. And ALL we have to do is trust that payment on our behalf! WOW.

So, He loves us THAT much, that He came, not to condemn the world, but to SAVE it.

AND He knows literally everything.

Perfectly loving & perfectly wise…. & perfectly deserving of authority over everything in our lives.

Check Your Faith Gauge

Because, when we act in faith… aka OBEY… life just seems to work better because we’re living the design it was meant to have versus forcing the way we think it should be. It’s submitting to God as being worthy of the final say in literally everything.

So, if you want to claim to have faith in God… stop just praying for your way to happen… & start walking in trust for HIS way.

And it’s okay to struggle. We naturally cling to what we think we know & understand… it’s okay to struggle… but we need to be asking for His help to walk in faithful obedience.

Have Faith… Live Faith

We can’t appreciate the blessings that come from living God’s Truth in our lives unless we ACTUALLY live out God’s Truth in our lives… Imagine that!

God is faithful, even when we are not. (2 Timothy 2:13) But let’s strive to lay down our life our way & ask Him to help you exchange every part of it for His way.

Shine HOPE through OBEDIENCE to God’s Truth. It’s 100% ALWAYS worth it EVERY time.

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 hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, 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!!

Moonstone Hoops (India)

Artisans from India cut & frame moonstones on these gold-toned elliptical hoops. Moonstones are prized in India for the unique way they reflect light.

Meet the Artisan:

Poonam grew up in poverty. Her father was a laborer & did his best to provide for Poonam & her two brothers. Finances were always tight, but Poonam’s family somehow made ends meet. Poonam was fortunate to have studied until 12th standard but could not study any further because her family did not have the money to pay for her to go to university.

So, Poonam moved to the city to search for work. In the city, she learned that she had a talent for Meenakari, the art of coloring & embellishing metal. Sharpening her craft, Poonam began looking for better opportunities when she discovered this Artisan community. Poonam hopes to one day start a family with her husband, who is working toward his degree.

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!

I Wanted to be Cool

I don’t know about you, but growing up, I had the driving force of wanting desperately to fit in as my motivation for most areas of my life.

Growing up homeschooled for six of my schooling years, I always saw public-school kids as the standard for cool.

Being stereotyped as under-socialized (even though we had a lot of activities with other homeschool groups) & also teased as having my mom as my only/best friend (now, not as much of an insult, but back then… phew!), I wanted to fit in with what those public-school kids deemed as “COOL.”

And since I got a late start, I felt I was scrambling to catch up.

It Didn’t Stop There

But it didn’t end in those early years. No, I kept feeling I was behind & that if I just adjusted one more part of myself, I would finally achieve this standard of cool that I chased after so awkwardly.

Now, I have mentioned before that I became a Christian (AKA recognized I was a sinner & couldn’t save myself from my wrongs & that I needed Jesus’ payment on my behalf to cover it) when I was around 5 years old, but I thought that meant, “Now I am saved from Hell & I should try to be a good person until I go to Heaven.”

And while that is partially true, it was definitely lacking. I didn’t understand that accepting Jesus doesn’t end with “just” going to Heaven… NO, it is SO much more!

God Calls for Obedience… & He Offers His Help

I didn’t understand that He interacted with me on earth through the Holy Spirit & that I could realize so many more blessings in my life if I aligned my actions with God’s way of doing things.

In my hunger for acceptance & popularity, I neglected the only true thing that would breathe life into my very existence… obedience to God.

In trying to find my life, I was losing it. (Matthew 10:39 & Luke 17:33)

In my quest to fit in, I was compromising what God tells me is true & living by my very limited understanding vs. referring to His infinite understanding.

A Life Defined by Compromising Truth for Popularity

My life was defined by compromise… carefully constructed compromise… compromise that you could easily mistake for living right by God.

So much of life my life was often dictated by popular opinion.

I looked around to see what everyone else seemed to deem as the right normal or the “right level” of being a “good person.”

But God makes it easy for us. Obey HIM.

Look to HIM & NOT to the shifting cultures & shifting ideas of “AHA!” moments where others feel they have finally figured out the trick to life.

God’s Truth is Timeless

God is unchanging. His Truth is timeless. It always works, 100% of the time, based on the infinite, perfect wisdom, knowledge, & understanding of the One who made it all!

Don’t compromise on obedience. Don’t look to what others define as a “pretty good life,” because if it doesn’t line up with God’s Word & what He says, it’s automatically wrong, by default.

I used to read God’s Word, cross something that didn’t line up with my understanding of “real life” or “life nowadays,” & I thought His Word was outdated or that “times have changed.”

More recently, I am learning to read God’s Word & when I come across something like that, I stop & think, “Hmm… that doesn’t line up with my experience of it… God, You say this is true or that it’s what I need to do in this situation, but it doesn’t seem to work, so what am I missing? I know You’re right, obviously, because You literally know EVERYTHING, so help me understand & help correct my view to Yours. I am wrong here & I need help learning the right way, Your way. AMEN.”

God Is the Standard

Not based on culture… but based on God.

Not based on popular opinion… but based on God’s Word.

Not based on what you grew up hearing & believing… but based on what God says is true.

Not based on your experiences… but based on God’s TRUTH.

I don’t want to compromise anymore. I don’t want to strive to fit in with the shifting, unstable standard of culture… I want to stand on what God says & trust/obey HIM above anything anyone else says.

Because they are fallible… I am fallible…

But GOD is Infallible.

Being Popular vs Being Obedient

Seeking to fit in with culture will leave you tired & exhausted & empty & unfulfilled, like something is always missing… like something is never quite right.

But seeking to live by God’s Word, in obedience to it, will cultivate & blossom that LIFE you have been craving… EVERY time, 100%.

So, shine HOPE into this world by determining to live GOD’S way & leave that fruitless popularity contest in the past where it belongs.

Only then will you find 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 over TWO years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, 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!!

Crystal Spring Earrings (India)

Made from genuine sterling silver & chalcedony stone, these 1″ drop earrings are an easy addition to elevate your outfit.

Artisan Information:

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 this piece & 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 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!

We Learn Right Behaviors

If you’re anything like a lot of America, maybe you grew up learning & believing in morality.

As children, considering that most of us don’t like discipline, we can sometimes learn quickly how to say the right things & do the right things, all in efforts of avoiding discipline.

Now, discipline is not a bad thing—far from it! God even says that He disciplines those He loves, because He knows that a lack of discipline can lead to unsatisfying & even harmful consequences.

BUT, morality is not the end all, be all in life.

Right Behaviors Aren’t Enough

Morality can’t save us, first of all, from what is owed because of our sin.

Only the payment made by Jesus Christ, on the cross, once for all mankind who believe in Him… only HE can save us from the punishment we rightly deserve for rejecting & rebelling against our Creator God.

BUT, there’s more… Morality alone doesn’t please God.

God cares about the intentions. God cares about the motivations. God cares about having a right heart, too.

“First Clean the Inside” -Jesus

Matthew 23:25-28 illustrates this very point, by calling out the Pharisees on being clean on the inside, but filthy on the inside… reminding them also that God sees their hearts for what they are… sinful.

This is tricky business for me because I grew up as a people pleaser. (I am NOT saying I didn’t get into trouble as a kid… but I AM saying I REALLY cared about looking like a good kid, even when I messed up.)

Because of this, I cared DEEPLY about at least seeming to get it right. I wanted to know what made something wrong so I would know when to not do it. I wanted to know where the lines were so I wouldn’t cross them.

And as Priscilla Shirer puts it, in her Armor of God study of Ephesians 6, “… we sometimes obey God on the outside, while simmering in disobedience on the inside.” (p. 84)

This defined my growing up years.

I Was Deceived

Did I accept Jesus to save me & to cover my sins before God at a young age? Yes.

Did I have the maturity to distinguish then the difference between doing right & having a right heart in God’s eyes? No.

So, my life was defined by moments of tirelessly trying to look like a good person & “technically” doing right on the outside (going to church, listening to Christian music sometimes, & talking about God), but on the inside, I was too often compromising on my flimsy hold to God’s Truth.

In other words, I was those Pharisees Jesus was talking to in Matthew 23. I worked to seem so perfect on the outside, while my inside was teeming with ways to ALMOST obey aka obey just enough to seem good, while still living how I thought was best & thought made me happiest, versus relentlessly choosing to reject everything else (aka my way) in exchange for HIS way in EVERYTHING.

God Cares About the Inside, Too

We can go to church, serve in church, help the homeless, give generously, pray before meals, talk about Jesus, & say/quote Scripture… but until we choose to receive God’s Word as TRUTH & be willing to turn EVERY area of our life to reflect & live that Truth by opening our hearts to be changed from the inside out (by the Holy Spirit working in us)… until then, we’re just living out Matthew 23:25-28.

We can look great on the outside, but reek of a sin-torn, self-led heart on the inside.

And don’t get me wrong, those deeds are good, but they need to come with a changed heart & a renewed mind… a consistent drawing near to God & a willingness to let Him grow you from the inside out.

Because God cares about the inside, too.

Perfect Makes Practice

We can also swing the pendulum the other damaging way & try to be perfect in & of ourselves. What it really requires, in order to work properly, is a surrendered heart. A heart that is willing to say, “Okay God. Your will over mine.”

This week, in this Priscilla Shirer’s Armor of God Study that I am working through, she is talking about the breastplate piece of the armor… RIGHTEOUSNESS… & she points out this beautiful Truth of “Perfect Makes Practice”… That GOD’S Perfection works out righteousness in us, which allows us to practice living righteously.

And a beautiful thing she echoes throughout this week of the study is the fact that we are ONLY made righteous by accepting for ourselves, personally, what Jesus Christ did by paying our debt on the cross.

That trusting in Him is accounted to us as righteousness.

And that because of that trust in HIS work FOR us, it allows us to put on this breastplate that protects our most vulnerable organs for sustaining our life.

And through that, we can submit areas of our life, as we grow closer to Him in prayer & studying the Bible, to let the Holy Spirit grow us closer to God’s way & further away from our own way.

Determine to Draw Close to God & Let Him Clean Up Your Life from the Inside Out

Don’t be content to just look “Christiany.” Determine to surrender.

Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26!) because if we really believed that God ALONE really knows what He is talking about, as LORD, then we need to adjust & seek Him & His way above our own… in EVERY area of life. And to seek Him to help you have the attitude of, “& if not” (like in Daniel 3).

That, if you pray & don’t feel immediate ease in following Him, that you seek to trust Him so much that you ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to bow to your own way! That you say, “& if He, for whatever reason, doesn’t seem to be making this easier for me, I will choose to obey anyway, because if He says it, it must be true, & if it’s true, I MUST obey & do it His way.”

WHEN It’s Hard… Pray for His Help

“God, I am so weak. I quit so easily. One jab from Satan, one THREAT of a jab from Satan, & I cave. Help this not be so. Help me to DETERMINE to live Your way, NO MATTER WHAT. Anything else is a lie… a trap… that leads to joyless, empty life. Help me to stop fighting You. Help me surrender. Soften my heart to trust You above EVERYTHING ELSE that I convince myself I know better. How can I compare to YOU? GOD Almighty… LORD… Creator? HOW? I cannot. And yet, I still fight You. How fruitless & frustrating & harmful! Help me to be a doer of Your Word, as in James 1:21-24 & not just a hearer only, deceiving myself. Help me not just tirelessly work to be a perfect Christian either, fooling myself again with good works to replace a renewed heart. Help me surrender to You… to submit to You in everything. You are the only source of true LIFE. You even warn us that in seeking LIFE, we lose it… but in giving up that quest to trust & obey You instead, we FIND it. So, help me stop trying to live my way & help me exchange every “my way” area for Your way. I can’t do it without Your help because my heart begs to rebel. I need Your strength & Truth & wisdom. Help me to submit to Your way… aka LIFE as it was always meant to be: blessed & full of abundant life! AMEN.”

Shine Hope

Shine HOPE by determining not just to live “morally” or to appear “Christian-y,” but to allow the Holy Spirit to renew Your heart & mind (notice that this verse says BE transformed… NOT transform–it’s the work of the Holy Spirit, but you have to be willing to do life His way & allow Him transform you from the inside out) as you determine to die to yourself & finally find what it means to LIVE… in 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 over TWO years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, 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!!

Truth Earrings

These incredibly light earrings are made with genuine local capiz shell.

Artisan Information:

In the Philippines, finding employment as a woman in poverty can be extremely difficult. Poor working conditions, lack of job security, & unfair pay are often the realities. Through your purchase, these women are receiving an income, health care, & social development programs. This allows these women to realize their potential & pursue their dreams in a safe environment. You have the opportunity to change lives!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in the Philippines!

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!

It Starts with Truth for a Reason

Lately, I have been learning more deeply about the armor of God, as mentioned in Ephesians 6.

And with this armor, comes a call to remember the importance of Truth.

Not “my truth” or “your truth”, but THE Truth.

Makes Sense

In today’s culture, this idea of a steady & sure Truth is often rejected & mocked.

Well, if you consider how much importance the Bible expresses that Truth really has in our lives, while also considering that the devil’s main goal is to discredit God & destroy us, it makes sense that this idea of a firm TRUTH that we can count on & stand firm upon is so greatly attacked.

The Bible Is the Standard for ALL Truth

I grew up being taught the Bible is true, but never really grasped that it is THE standard of ALL Truth.

That God’s Word is TRUE, for both believers AND unbelievers in Jesus &/or God’s Word. Its validity is not dependent on the reader’s understanding of it or belief in it. It just IS.

The more I read through God’s Word, the Bible, the more I see its truth coming to light, shining reality over what I grew up believing was reality based on what I understood to be true.

God’s Word is a filter by which we can determine if anything else is true.

He Is the Only Reasonable Determinant of What Constitutes as Actual Truth

Because God made us. He made this world. He knows how it works.

So, it stands to reason that He would be the only real determinant of what constitutes as actual Truth.

He is also eternal & unchanging. He existed before time & will exist after it. He sees all & knows all.

So, again, it stands to reason that He alone would be the only real determinant of what constitutes as actual, real TRUTH.

And yet, too often, based on my childhood & upbringing, formed through the eyes of a child’s immaturity & inexperience, I think I could determine for myself what Truth could be & have it hold up to every circumstance in life.

No. Only God.

God Made Sure We Had It & Having It Offers Us SO MUCH

And in His infinite richness of blessings to us, He made sure we had His Word given to us, inspired by Him & written by humans.

2 Timothy 3:16 concisely sums it up with, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God & is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

I heard it described this way, “God’s Word is good then for teaching us what is right, what is wrong, how to correct what is wrong, & how to do what is right.”

What an amazing description!

But I Want It MY Way… I Think I’M Right…

My selfish, self-centered heart wants everything to be about me: my understanding, my determining of what should be right or wrong based on what I want or how I feel about something, my wisdom, my desires, etc….

But there is only one Truth & that is God’s Word.

Truth Stays Truth Over Time

Truth does not fluctuate based on our feelings… it stands strong & firm.

Truth does not deteriorate because we discover something new… it stands firm & strong throughout history.

Truth is not dependent on us believing it… it stands firm & strong.

God’s Truth just IS.

And THANK GOD for THAT!

Truth Is Our Defense & Steady Footing

When we lean into & stand on God’s Word for Truth, we are no longer as susceptible to believing the devil’s deception…

We’re no longer so easily offended or hurt…

We’re no longer so easily distracted into giving in to our evil desires…

We’re no longer as gullible or easily controlled…

We’re able to stand firm & when all is said & done, to stand.

God’s Word…

God’s Word gives us steady footing that doesn’t shake when culture shifts.

God’s Word gives us a firm foundation when our world seems to crumble around us.

God’s Word gives us ammunition against our struggle with anxiety & depression.

God’s Word helps us know what pleases God & what doesn’t.

God’s Word tells us our purpose & our calling in life.

God’s Word POINTS US TO THE ONLY SOURCE OF TRUE HOPE—JESUS CHRIST.

Information We Can Count on & Live By

It tells us we’re made by Him, loved by Him, rescued by Him, & blessed by Him.

It warns us of the Enemy & tells us how to combat & defeat Him.

It brings healing, counsel, comfort, confidence, courage, & strength.

It applies to every area of life.

Read It for Yourself!

THIS is why I URGE you… DON’T rely on a pastor’s teaching… DON’T rely on what a devotional or book says… DON’T look to the ideologies, philosophies, & beliefs of your culture.

MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD DAY & NIGHT.

Know it. Read it. Study it. Do it. And PRAY OVER IT.

He didn’t make a point to have many people carefully record His Truth to pass down through the generations, to reach you… so it could sit in the drawer of your nightstand.

This is not a Christian ACCESSORY; it is a Christian NECESSITY.

God’s Word/TRUTH Is Helpful & Life-Giving to Us in Every Area of Life

God’s Word is helpful in every area of life… & the more & more you pour over it by reading it or studying it or memorizing it, the more it will come into focus for you.

But reading it is not enough for it to change your life.

You have to DO WHAT IT SAYS.

Hearing the Truth & not doing what it says is true is worthless, like looking in a mirror & then walking away & forgetting what you look like (James 1:23-24).

And if you don’t know how… good news… the Holy Spirit is ready & able to help illuminate the Truth in your heart as you ask Him to help you live His way.

It All Starts with JESUS

But it all starts with Jesus. You have to be willing to accept you’re a sinner, you’ve messed up, you’ve rebelled against God, you’ve sinned… ask God to forgive you of those sins, trust Jesus as Your LORD & trust that He has paid your debt in full… & turn away from that sin & rebellion with God’s help as you live for Him.

And when you do that, you are gifted with everything you need to live for Him, His way, with His help. (2 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 1:3)

Trade It All In

And that is when you begin to bow your ideals & ideas & emotions & beliefs & understanding & passions to trade your shadows for God’s LIGHT.

Trade deception for Truth.

Trade darkness for Light.

Trade despair for HOPE.

God’s Word is a necessity. Ask Him to help you be diligent.

Allow God Room to Help You in the Struggle… Determine to LET HIM HELP YOU

If you struggle against it, know that Satan will have made it his mission to do whatever it takes to convince you to put that Bible back down & disregard it, because he TOO knows just HOW POWERFUL GOD’S WORD really is!

So, when you feel the resistance, that headache, that tiredness, that distraction, that whatever-it-is… PRAY & READ ANYWAY.

Say a similar prayer to the one I have said to God SO MANY times in the past, “God, I know I should do this, but [I really don’t want to… I really don’t feel like it… I feel too tired, though… I am so busy… I am so distracted… I can’t concentrate…], please HELP ME obey because I know it HONORS You AND it BLESSES me! Help me fight back!”

And then… START READING & trust that God will help you fight back as you determine to read the Truth you need to steady your life… to know what is right & what is wrong & how to correct what is wrong & how to do what is right.

The Importance of Truth

I hope, by now, you see even just a GLIMPSE of the importance of Truth.

***Again, your Bible is not a Christian accessory; your Bible is a Christian NECESSITY.***

Shine Hope by learning God’s Word, doing God’s Word, & sharing God’s Word (in LOVE) & don’t let Satan consider you as “gullible & easy to control” anymore!

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 over TWO years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, 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!!

Truth Earrings

These incredibly light earrings are made with genuine local capiz shell.

Artisan Information:

In the Philippines, finding employment as a woman in poverty can be extremely difficult. Poor working conditions, lack of job security, & unfair pay are often the realities. Through your purchase, these women are receiving an income, health care, & social development programs. This allows these women to realize their potential & pursue their dreams in a safe environment. You have the opportunity to change lives!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in the Philippines!

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!

We’ve Been Talking About Sex

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been talking about lust & sex.

If you have any struggles in these areas, when it comes to going outside of God’s boundaries, you are not alone. It’s an area where I have many scars & bad habits that I have had since childhood, where God is helping to restore me & help me see the beautiful gift that sex was always meant to be for us.

God made sex AND He made us… & He alone knows exactly what will hurt us or bless us, so it’s SO important to seek to live His design in these areas, versus our own.

But, God forgives, God heals, & God redeems where we have already failed or missed the mark. He can help us rebuild back to His beautiful treasure of a design that He meant for our blessing in life. So, turn to Him always!

Breaking Harmful Family Cycles

This week, I want to talk about overcoming harmful family cycles & while this may seem unrelated, for many women, it is not.

When we’re little, we absorb so much information, & unfortunately, we absorb the good with the bad, the unintentional with the intentional.

Our parents are human, (ie. they’re imperfect)… just like you are… & just like every other person that has or will ever exist is.

As humans, we may have good intentions, but we fail often. We want to be intentional, but we get tired & sometimes just do what we need to survive through to the next day. And we all make mistakes daily, no matter what social media will lead us to believe.

Because of this reality about humanness, our also parents made mistakes, despite maybe their every effort to do their best for us. And, even if subconsciously, we often absorbed those mistakes as our reality.

“Lord, Search Me & Know Me… See If There Be Any Wicked Way in Me”

That is why it is monumentally important for us to pray this simple prayer that we can see in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, & know my heart; test me & know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, & lead me in the way everlasting.” (emphasis mine)

We need to be praying this prayer, as modeled for us in the Psalms, because we are ALL imperfect! AND, we were ALL raised by imperfect people, in an imperfect culture.

Too often, because we adopt the ways of our parents as our own, we live our lives & raise our children based on our personal upbringing as truth, never stopping to consider if it should be done any differently.

In other words, we do what is expressed in Judges 17:6 & Judges 21:25, “… Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (emphasis mine) How convicting this is for me!

Or, in Proverbs 21:2, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.” (emphasis mine)

What We Think VS What He KNOWS

We need to be turning to God to help us know the line between what we THINK is true, based on how we were raised, & what is ACTUALLY TRUE based on the full knowledge, understanding, & wisdom of our Sovereign, Eternal, LOVING LORD.

There are so many things in my life that I had taken as truth, even unintentionally taught to me just by my immature young eyes observing my parents in their own human weaknesses. I was too young to distinguish between acting in humanness versus acting in Truth.

Parents will never be perfect. They CAN’T be perfect.

But God IS perfect… in literally EVERYTHING… & He offers His help to us.

Intentionally Feeding Myself Truth

So, I have learned some things around this fact:

1. I need to be learning God’s Word, so that I am training my heart & mind with discernment about Truth.
2. I need to be praying that God help me not rely on my own understanding, but to turn to Him in & for & through everything.
3. I need to give grace to myself & others, because we were not made to be perfect… we were made to need God’s help

Parenting with Purpose, Grace, & a Whole Lot of God’s Help

These realizations are things I am tucking away in my heart, in case God blesses us with children someday. A reminder to not act on emotions or fears/anxieties, but to lean into Him in everything & to demonstrate that necessity to my children.

I would want them to know I am not perfect & that I am not their answer… I would want to teach them how to go to Him for the real Truth.

All That He Is

Because I will fail, but He cannot fail.

Because I am weak, but He is strong.

Because I don’t know everything, even in the areas I think I do, but He does know everything & has infallible wisdom & understanding in all things.

Because I won’t always be able to be there for them, but He will never leave them nor forsake them.

And the same goes for a life without children: I won’t always get it right, I fail sometimes, I am weak, I don’t know everything (even when I think I do in some areas), & someone won’t always be around when I need them (But God will be).

Cling to Him

I need to learn to not rely on my own understanding, but to ask Him to reveal to me where I am believing in & living based on lies or even human understanding.

He never fails.

He is always strong.

He never gets it wrong.

He alone knows EVERYTHING with perfect understanding & wisdom.

He is always with me (& you) as our Comforter, Healer, Friend, Counselor, Father, & Almighty, Loving GOD.

God Sees Our Blind Spots

You & I may not see where we have misinterpreted truth based on our upbringing. We may not recognize where we’re believing wrongly about something.

But God sees & God knows.

And God has the power & wisdom to help us recognize it, to redirect us to truth, & to help us move forward the way He designed.

So, turn to Him in the big & small, turn to Him when emotions threaten to make your decisions & guide your actions for you, & turn to Him to help you see where you’re stuck believing wrongly.

He holds the answers that you seek… ALL of them… So, shine HOPE by going to Him for EVERYTHING… & break harmful family cycles for the generation to come.

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 over TWO years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, 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!!

Amie Bracelet (Haiti)

This elegant charm bracelet from Haiti will add a splash of color to any outfit with its multicolored hand-rolled paper beads dangling from an adjustable chain.

Artisan Information:

Haiti is home to almost 500,000 orphans. Many children are “poverty orphans” with loving parents who want to keep them. Your purchase provides sustainable income, so mothers can keep their babies.

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in Haiti!

Also Shown: Sunrise Bracelet (pinkish-Thailand), Rani Bracelet (blue/orange-India), & Moonstone Hoops (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!