The Hurt That Bleeds Out

We all have been hurt at some point in our lives—I feel pretty confident in that claim—but have you ever recognized ways that those hurts effect your reactions to others?

Does your insecurity rear up? Do you feel immediately offended? Do you withdraw? Do you go on the offensive?

I think for me, it sometimes depends how my hormones/sleep is going, but I have felt & reacted in all of the above for sure.

My Way or God’s Will?

But the more time I spend getting to know God & His heart through His Word & spending time talking with Him, the Holy Spirit convicts my heart about those things… that those reactions don’t line up with how God instructs us to react… no matter how natural those responses may feel in the moment.

So, if they feel so natural yet don’t line up with God’s instructions… which is wrong–I ask that rhetorically of course, because anything that contradicts God’s Word is, by default, wrong.

And yet, it feels so “it’s just how it is” & “well, I can’t help it—that’s just my personality.”

Nope. Cop out alert right there. If a pattern in my heart contradicts God’s instruction, I should not so easily accept the contradiction… I should seek to correct it through prayer with God, time in His Word (the Bible), & counsel from mature believers in Jesus to help me get to the root of the disconnect & cooperate with the Holy Spirit in His weeding it OUT of my natural patterns.

A surrender to His will versus my wrong patterns. God’s will over my way.

Trading My Learned Path for His

I think a lot of my wrong reactions stem from my brokenness in this sin-torn world.

It’s easy to learn patterns that maybe help me protect myself, put up walls, save face, act like “who cares about you anyway?” But a more Jesus-like response would be staying soft, with tenderness, grace, kindness, & patient, longsuffering love toward one another come what may.

Strength coming from HIM & NOT my learned defense mechanisms.

I may be tempted to start up with, “But they…..!!!”

But then I remember: “But, He….”

Keeping My Mouth Shut Is Not the Same as Having a Right Reaction

It is quite true that God has worked a number on this area of my life already, in that I usually can at least keep my mouth shut, but He hears my thoughts & my real heart about things… & He cares about that, too.

So, how do I take my natural, gut reactions & turn them over to allow the Holy Spirit to produce in me His fruit? (Galatians 5:22-23) How do I learn to respond only in a way that honors, pleases, & gives God the glory?

Well, it goes back to my favorite little word—surrender.

It Takes Surrender

I have to be willing to yield my way that feels so right… for His help to do it His way.

To say, “God, ooooh how I hate the way they said that just now & boy do I want to be snarky right now….! But… please forgive me. Jesus died for that, too. Help me to have Your patient, GRACIOUS (by definition: undeserving) LOVE toward them. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 1 John 4:16; John 3:16-17) Help me to pray for them (Matthew 5:43-44) versus rehearsing their words or behavior all day. Help me entrust my hurt to You. Be my comfort & heal my heart & help me to forgive & let You handle it. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

The Triggers Come in Many Forms

Sometimes it’s just an unexpected, raised eyebrow from someone (like: “really, Michelle? That was dumb.”). Sometimes it’s criticism when you expected praise. Sometimes it’s an unkind word that felt like a complete slap to your face. Sometimes it’s rudeness in exchange for your intended kindness. Sometimes it’s a careless response to a sensitive topic. Sometimes it’s a lack of understanding or a misunderstanding or a total unwillingness to even try to be understanding.

There are many triggers that can catch me off guard & cause my walls SPRING UP, where I feel attacked & on the defense & I’m insecure & hurt & I think, “how can they even THINK that way!”

But, I come back to that prayer of… surrender.

How Does God Respond to ME?

Oh, how many times have I offended God? How many times has He tried to communicate a truth to me & I did the opposite because His way didn’t make me feel good? How many times have I dared question the Almighty God who sent Jesus to die for my debt to Him? (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17)

And yet, how does He respond to me? With tenderness. With grace. With patience. With love. With forgiveness. With hope.

Responding from a heart of brokenness versus God’s grace is the most natural thing I can do. But boy does it spit on all God offers me in exchange for all of my deep unworthiness.

Responding from a Heart of Brokenness Versus God’s Grace

Take some time to do a mental assessment next time you rear up in response to something, or want to hit back with your words, or think nasty thoughts toward someone else because of what they said or did or how they acted toward you.

Accept responsibility if your response may not exactly line up with God’s response to you & take a minute to confess that to God right away. Jesus paid for that stray thought or outburst of anger & hurt. Confess it to God & ask His forgiveness. He will forgive. (1 John 1:9)

And be willing to surrender that very real gut feeling to God’s gracious way instead.

Pray for God’s perspective to grow in your heart… a perspective of His grace… when all you may want to do is respond from your heart of brokenness.

Shine HOPE by letting God’s grace trump how you feel when you are wronged &/or hurt by someone else & by praying for them versus attacking, withdrawing, or slandering their name to others for validation. Shine HOPE, through Him & for Him.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for FIVE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Soleil Earrings (INDIA)

Make a fair-trade fashion statement with the Soleil Earrings! These gorgeous earrings feature a rectangle chalcedony stud with a hammered brass rectangle accent and colorful beaded fringe in shades of blue, gold, teal, and light pink. These unique artisanal earrings are handcrafted in a workshop in India that’s committed to fighting child marriage and helping women become financially independent as fair-trade Artisans.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Because the Distinction Matters

“…  because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools….” (Romans 1:21-22)

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—” (Romans 5:12)

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” (Hebrews 9:27)

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13)

“Then Jesus said… The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

“For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:2-4)

Not My Words Today, but His

Who do you say God is? Do you glorify God AS God? There is a clear distinction made between knowing God & glorifying Him AS God.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man….” (Romans 1:20-23)

Today, nothing I wrote felt right. All that felt right was stripping it down to these God-inspired Bible verses compiled by our pastor for yesterday’s church sermon. God is not meant to just be known as God–even demons know He is God & tremble… but to be glorified AS GOD in our day-to-day lives.

How well can you say that you do that?

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (James 2:19)

Knowing God Versus Glorifying Him AS God

There’s only one way to heaven & it’s not tradition, family name, good works, or anything else… it’s Jesus.

There’s only one fully reliable truth & it’s not our opinions, the world’s knowledge, or “progressive thinking”… it’s the Word of God.

There’s only one true, fulfilling LIFE & it’s not parties, wealth, success, reputation, sex, alcohol, being “loved”, being honored, etc…. it’s a life surrendered to God, led by His Spirit.

It’s not enough to just KNOW God, but we must strive to live our life to GLORIFY Him AS GOD in all & everything, righting our perspective back to Him through consistently, intentionally giving thanks to Him in all circumstances.

“… in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Shine HOPE by determining not just to know God, but to glorify His as such in your day-to-day all day, every day everywhere you are.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for FIVE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Iris Gift Set (India)

While Supplies Last! Beautiful, artisanal gift set perfect for the influential woman in your life!

Purchase this artisanal gift set that creates safe jobs for women in India. The Iris Gift Set pairs the Raven Belt Bag with the Iris Bag Strap to create a gorgeous fair-trade look to gift!

Raven Belt Bag – This genuine leather Raven Belt Bag from India is both practical and stylish with its adjustable removable strap, interior zipper pocket, and zipper closure. Keep all your essentials safe and secure anytime you’re on the go.

Iris Bag Strap – Add an elegant touch of artisanal style to your favorite bag with this embroidered floral bag strap from India. Handcrafted by differently abled women who are overcoming discrimination and abuse, our Embroidered Iris Bag Strap features a traditional black, purple, and green iris pattern.

***Every purchase of this gift set provides safe jobs with fair wages for marginalized and differently abled women in India.***

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Why Do I Keep Fighting Back?

Can I just be honest with you right now?

I have a rebellious heart. I relate very much with Paul when he talks about not doing what he wants to do & doing what he doesn’t (Romans 7:15-20) & how his spirit & flesh wage war against each other (Galatians 5:16-17). That’s me to a “t” & it’s SO annoying.

I don’t want to be like this. I wish I could just will myself to wholeheartedly give my whole self to God & never look back, never question Him... & never will for anything apart from pleasing, honoring, & glorifying Him in all I do, think, or say.

But that’s not me. I always fight for ME, me, me, ME. What do I FEEL like doing? What will I get excited about? What makes me comfortable? Blah blah blah. Never fails to lure me in. It’s embarrassing how often I fall for it.

Maybe God uses this will in me to serve as an example to others of “what not to do.” I don’t know. I mean, I feel He does do this, but He would probably (aka would undoubtedly) prefer if I were the shining example of what it looks like to do right all the time—to be a display to others of a shining life lived through His truth & His enabling power, grace, & peace.

How I wish that were me.

Never Enough

So why do I seem to fight what I know to be right at every turn? I mean, I’ve talked about how much I relate to the ebb & flow of the Israelites affections for & obedience to God versus rebellion & hard-heartedness. One day, I am singing praises as to how I saw God undoubtedly come through for me… & the next, I feel annoyed at my spirit’s reminder to spend time in my Bible when I really just want to watch some tv.

I know what infuses life into these bones & what seems to drain me dry over time & yet I KEEP going back to what does not satisfy (aka anything other than God Himself through prayer, worship, or time dwelling on His Word—the Bible). WHY, me? WHY are you like this?!

Am I Alone on This?

Do you ever do that? Do you understand deep in your gut that you only ever feel deeply & truly satisfied when you spend time with Him & yet you so easily get lured away to anything but time with Him?

Am I the only one?

This post isn’t seeming very “here’s a little nugget of truth…” ish is it? Just me complaining about myself again.

But here’s the thing: I don’t have all the answers. I don’t always make the right choices. I sometimes (too often) choose me over God. I am not a shining example of choosing right.

Praise GOD!

But God is still patient with me. He doesn’t slam me with a list of “get this all right before morning or we’re DONE!” He is gentle with me. He is forgiving (in what seems to me as OVERLY so). He is kind. He leads step by step usually versus all at once. Thank God–His faithfulness is not dependent on MINE.

And my constant failures to live up to His standards of holiness only serves as a constant reminder of my need for Him, for JESUS. It’s humbling, isn’t it?

I don’t know why my constant pull is “my way!” or “but I want THIS!” or “maybe later!” but God gently reminds me & reinforces that what I REALLY need is HIS way… to want HIM above all else… & to obey Him (& enjoy the blessings born of obedience) NOW.

He is where my true satisfaction comes from. He is what I really need & want. Only He can fill that void in me.

I was made for Him & He made me to need Him & to find my true satisfaction in Him alone. None else.

Finding Hope in Our Hope-Giver

So, let’s make an agreement, shall we? To start calling ourselves out when we start to lean toward anything else… to call it for what it is… idolatry… turning to or relying on anything but God to satisfy us.

And in our calling it out to ourselves… may we remember to pray, to be a “quick repenter” (read more about being a quick repenter, here: “The Great Power of Daily Repentance”) & right then & there admit it to God & ask His forgiveness… & ask for help recognizing it sooner next time… & ask for help drawing on Him as your life’s fulfillment & satisfaction above all else.

Because that’s what He made us for.

Shine hope by turning to Him to satisfy your soul… by determining to obey His call on your heart at every turn, always seeking Him to fulfill true satisfaction for your soul.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for FIVE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Blue Palm Earrings (India)

Limited Edition – available while supplies last! The ethically made, gorgeous Blue Palm Earrings utilize up-cycled bone hand carved into a leaf shape, dyed a beautiful shade of blue contrasted by the ivory circle stud base. Beautifully crafted to compliment your summer looks, these unique artisanal earrings are handcrafted in a workshop in India that’s committed to fighting child marriage and helping women become financially independent as fair-trade Artisans.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Such Feelings

If you know me, or have been following my blog any time over the last 5 years (how has it been 5 years?!), then you probably have gathered that I have big feelings. For good or for bad, whether people enjoy it or hate it… I have big feelings.

Sometimes I love it, because it infuses my good days with so much zest, but the bad days are rough because I feel things so deeply it seems to sometimes affect me in a physical way with overwhelm & zoning out & feeling crushed beneath the weight of them.

And of course then you add in the depression. Now, this isn’t wallowing in despair depression—feeling depressed is not the same as having depression… although, if I allow it to consume me, it can very well lead to feeling & BEING depressed. But, on its own, it’s just a general sense of feeling numb & checked out of life… like everything just feels like a meaningless blur. And when I say, “I just don’t care,” it’s not in an obstinate, rolling my eyes type of thing, but rather just literally not caring about much of anything because I just feel numb as if I am just existing through my day.

But whether it’s my depression symptoms dragging me down to the dust, like a ball & chain clasped to my ankles as I try to walk through mud & haze… or whether it’s an emotional high where I just want to live life with fullness & vibrancy feeling free from the haze… or whether some thing or another knocks me to the ground with unexpected hurt or overwhelm that halts me in my tracks… no matter what it is that my feelings are feeling… it should not affect my obedience to God.

Chasing Happy Highs

Not allowing feelings to affect my obedience to God is a hard one for me. Our bodies are meant to release “happy hormones” when we accomplish tasks… there is a natural reward system built into our brains… & when that malfunctions & life feels empty & numb & void of feeling… well, I want to zone out & avoid at all costs how trapped & stuck that makes me feel. I want to chase “happy highs” however possible—tv, food, games, shopping trip, etc.

And what I DON’T feel like doing is to buckle down & DO IT ANYWAY.

I heard a quote today from the pastor at church this morning from Augustine maybe? The quote went something like: “God made us for Himself & we will remain restless until we seek our rest in Him.” Something like that. And isn’t that so true?

I can chase “happy highs” all I want, but until I seek my rest in Him, I will always be restless. I NEED Him.

Obeying God Is for My Good

Part of resting in God is realizing that I NEED to obey HIM rather than my feelings, recognizing that obedience to God is for my own good because all of what God commands is for my good.

I mean, think about it… just even looking at the basic 10 Commandments given to Moses for the people, by God, you can see it. (Genesis 20:1-17) Don’t steal, don’t commit adultery, love your neighbor as yourself, etc. His commands are basically—treat each other WELL! (Luke 6:31; Matthew 7:12) God even goes so far as to say that all the commands can be summed up under “love God with your all & the second being like it to love your neighbor as yourself.” (Paraphrase) (Matthew 22:36-40)

We were made to love God. We are designed to worship, honor, & glorify Him… & to love others.

Of course, we can’t be SAVED from our SIN against God by obeying these very good God-given commands (they are given as law to reveal our need for Him) (Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7) … because we will never ever get it spot on 24/7–that’s why God sent Jesus to pay our debt so if we repent or turn from our sin, ask for forgiveness, & turn to God, through Jesus, as your hope… you are saved… through your faith in Him. (Romans 3:23-24; Romans 10:9-11)

BUT, those 10 commandments, although they can’t save our souls, are still commands worthy of obedience… as are all of God’s teaching in the Bible… because it honors Him & it’s for our good.

We NEED to Obey… We NEED His Truth & Way of Life because It’s What We Were MADE to NEED

Obedience to God, though, is not just avoiding doing the “thou shalt nots” of the Bible… it’s a living out a life of seeking to know & love Him more… bowing how I want to respond for what honors & glorifies HIM (through asking for His wisdom & help doing it)… a determining to represent Him well & intentionally in your interactions with others & in how you express love for others. Obedience, at its core, means a life lived for HIM, through Him.

God knows we need it. We NEED Him. We NEED prayer (a plugging into HIM & HIS resources) (Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), We NEED to feed our souls on His Word (the Bible). God tells us to even CRAVE His Word as newborn babies crave milk & NEED it to survive. (1 Peter 2:2-3)

Obedience isn’t some super religious thing we do to prove how religious we are.

Obedience is NECESSARY for a full & abundant & victorious LIFE. (John 10:9-10) Obedience is necessary to please, honor, & glorify God—for which purpose we were created! (Isaiah 43:7; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Revelation 4:11; Romans 11:36)

Checking My Motivations in My Obedience to God—Time in His Word, the Bible

We read our Bibles, not because we feel like a “terrible Christian” if we don’t, guilted into keeping up with it & shame-building as we miss day after day throughout the year…. We read our Bibles because 1. It honors God to seek to know & love Him better/more, & 2. We are influenced & impacted by the world every moment of our life & we NEED to be INTENTIONAL in feeding our soul with TRUTH to ground us in this crazy world we live in.

God isn’t keeping track with hand on hip & a raised, judgy eyebrow, making note of: “still waiting to see if they prove their love for me ENOUGH.” Jesus paid for that missed day, week, year, or even lifetime—it’s in the past & if you have repented of it, God has forgiven it. God isn’t expecting a “read through the Bible in a year” OR ELSE:  “BAM—Bad Christian alert!”

But God is honored every time we DO pick up our Bibles & commit to reading it, thinking on it, dwelling on it, & referring back to it when we face circumstances that come up in life, preparing ourselves with His Word that He made sure we would have access to because He made sure it was written all those many years ago.

Why Do I Pray?

We pray, not just before meals & before bed “because it’s what a good Christian person does.” We don’t do it to seem pious or religious. We do it because we NEED HIM EVERY SECOND OF EVERY DAY.

It’s not about repeating special words or making sure we say, “Father” enough times in our prayer. It’s not about praying “enough times” to get God to act. It’s not about getting God to give you everything you want your way as if He’s your personal enforcer while you sit in the seat of authority.

Prayer is about submission to an Almighty God Who is HOLY & deserving of all & holds ALL authority in heaven AND earth & yet keeps His throne-room door open at all times for all requests & pleas.

Prayer is about recognizing it’s all about Him, all FOR Him, all THROUGH Him. Prayer is about recognizing that God is GOD, & I am NOT.

Prayer is about plugging in to our Vine. (John 15:1-17) What can a branch bring forth without being connected to its life-giving Vine? What can we produce of worth without plugging into Him as our life-giving source? He is the source of our being. He is our nourishment. He is our peace. He is our enabling strength, even when we ourselves are depleted.

Prayer is about both recognizing & expressing our need, as well as turning to the One where our need may be met, even beyond what we imagine Him capable. (Ephesians 3:20-21; Luke 1:37)

To Feel Like a “Good Person” or to Honor, Please, & Glorify God?

And living for God isn’t about getting in “enough” service hours each week to prove how dedicated we are to serving God. It’s not about proving to or earning anything from God. It’s not about “being a good person.” (Romans 3:10-12; Ephesians 2:8-10)

Living in obedience to serve Him & love others, seeking to honor & please & glorify Him in every thought, reaction, & interaction is simply for that reason—to honor, please, & glorify HIM—because He is deserving of it. Not because I feel like it, & neither should I avoid it because I DON’T feel like it.

Feelings & Obedience Shouldn’t Affect Each Other

So, yes, sometimes my depression symptoms mean that I am zoned out, feel nothing, get no “happy hormone” reward for doing it… & yet I say a little prayer:  “God, please forgive me for how badly I want to avoid this right now because I DO NOT FEEL LIKE IT… please forgive me & help me do it anyway, because I want to honor You & I know I need You whether or not I feel like it will help at all right now. Please forgive my attitude & help me to honor You anyway. In Jesus’ name, I pray—AMEN.” And then I open my Bible & my current study, turn to the right page, click on my pen & begin my study each morning… whether I FEEL like it or not.

Feelings & obedience shouldn’t affect each other. Bad feelings too bad? Good feelings too distracting? Numbness clouding over any desire to do anything? Do it anyway—with God’s help.

We’re Meant to Need & Ask for His Help to Obey

Through Andrew Murray’s book on Prayer, a compilation of his works, I learned that so many Christians burn out either by guilt-driven obedience or self-driven obedience… or they just give up because they feel they just can’t (both were me at different points in my life)—too busy, too distracted, too numb, too tired, too sick, etc.—but that so many of commands given in the Bible are either followed by or preceded by “by God, through God, by faith, or through faith.” In other words? We’re not meant to be ABLE to obey Him… ON OUR OWN WITHOUT HIS HELP. We are MEANT to need His help & to turn to Him for that help in our walk of obedience.

So, if you feel you can’t obey Him for WHATEVER reason, you’re in good company! Take that to God & be honest with Him & ask for His help: “God, please forgive me for my lack… help me know when to fit it in & help me to LISTEN when You give the nudge in that time… help me to focus… help me to concentrate… help my WANT.” RELY ON & COUNT ON His help.

And when emotions are running wild or feel non-existent… remember that feelings & obedience shouldn’t affect each other. God can help if you are willing to let Him. Let Him help.

Shine HOPE by determining to honor, please, & glorify God through obedience, whether you feel like it or not… by making sure to turn to Him diligently & consistently for His help.

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 FIVE 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!!

Tranquility Ring Set (India)

This set of 2 adjustable rings can be worn stacked together or separately! A silver-toned plated brass ring with a simple twist perfectly complements the gorgeous chalcedony ring.  This small oval-shaped, faceted chalcedony stone is set in silver-toned plated brass featuring a design on the silver band.

***Every purchase empowers women to earn fair wages for their work and to end cycles of poverty for her family.***

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!

Inner Dialogue Versus Prayer?

Are you someone like me who has inner dialogue with yourself all the time?

I mull over things. I stress trying to come up with answers. I worry, wondering how something could work out if I don’t come up with answers. I think over every angle & how I can fix something when nothing seems to be going right.

I rehash uncomfortable or hurtful conversations, trying to figure out where I went wrong or why the other person said what they said or how I could have handled it any better.

I get frustrated when inconvenienced or when I’m the victim of outright rude behavior & then I go through all of my could have, would have, should haves, knowing the moment has already passed. I get annoyed & inwardly fume at whatever they did that was hurtful to me.

I daydream. I create whole worlds in my head that I can escape to when I don’t have a good book on hand. It’s how I soothe when bored or restless.

I try to soothe myself or justify my reaction in my head or talk myself out of or through whatever I am feeling.

I sit in guilt when I mess up. I mull over it & stress about it & kick myself, beating myself up when I make a wrong choice with my attitude or behavior or reaction for the millionth time that day.

And in all of those things, I ought to be talking to God about it instead.

Turn My Thoughts to Prayers

That’s a hard thing for me to come to terms with. I mean, I know God is always listening—He always hears me—& I know we’re supposed to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) but I guess it just comes so naturally to just think it over in my head versus acknowledging His presence is with me in every situation.

It’s much easier to do all of the above & then talk to family or friends about it than to remember, “Oh yeah, God… You’re right there, aren’t You? You saw that. You heard that. You know how to & can help me… so let me bring it to You.”

But it’s more than that, isn’t it? Because somehow I want to feel capable or feel I ought to be able to figure it out as a grown up adult. I guess because turning to Him instead takes faith & it takes practice & surrender. It takes letting go of control & giving it to Him instead.

Have Faith in the GOD Who Loves You!

Going to God instead of handling it myself takes faith because I have to take a step back to recognize He is GOD—& I am not. He literally knows EVERYTHING. He SEES everything. He HEARS everything—even thoughts. He also has perfect wisdom & cares about me.

He cares about me. There’s another place of needed faith…. That He cares enough to step into my little (or big) issue & help me. That He is never too busy because He is infinite. That He can’t be diminished, no matter how great or little my need. That whatever seems “just the way it is” to me is never impossible to change for Him… & that whatever change He determines is needed… is for my actual good.

He can do anything without diminishing any of His power or God-ness AND He loves us more than we can comprehend. It should be easy to put faith in Him in everything. But it takes letting go & letting HIM.

Fail Forward, It Is Worth It!

And it doesn’t come naturally. It takes practice. I have to DETERMINE to turn to Him in my mind & heart to hand it over to Him for help. It takes practice.

“I’m sorry, Lord, I’m doing it again… having a conversation in my head & trying to figure things out when You’re right here willing & able to help. Please forgive me. Help give me direction, wisdom, & peace. Help me to better trust You & help me to come to You more immediately next time. Amen.” This is a prayer I have learned to start praying whenever I find myself self-dialogueing versus talking to Him about it in my heart, acknowledging that He is right there all the time.

I need to TRAIN my brain to acknowledge Him & turn to Him in ALL things.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)

Surrender, Surrender, Surrender!

But, & this is probably the biggest hurdle of them all—it takes surrender to talk to Him instead of myself. I have to admit I need help. I have to give up control. I have to let go of the limitations that really are my comfort zones because they allow me to justify not moving forward when I don’t think moving forward feels possible or comfortable or fun in that area.

I have to give up being the main character in my story & admit I am a supporting character in HIS story… HIS-tory.

And not only that, but sometimes quite frankly I feel justified in how I want to think about a situation or circumstance.

Rude interaction? Rude response in my head.

Frustrated about life? I want to figure out how I want it fixed.

Am I willing to have faith? To let Him be GOD in my heart & thoughts?

Am I willing to practice turning my heart to Him in all things? Even when it doesn’t come naturally to me at all?

Am I willing to surrender my way or my feelings for His lead & His way?

That’s what prayer is really. That’s how we can pray without ceasing… because it’s a matter of turning to Him in every natural thought & asking Him to help you exchange it for something that better honors/pleases Him versus yourself. It’s a matter of SURRENDER.

Do You Talk to Yourself More Than to God?

So what is it like for you? Do you talk to yourself more than to God? Or does it come naturally to you to turn every thought to Him as if He is a friend always by your side, everywhere you go, who can read your every thought (because He is that Friend).

Or are you like me & you need to work on it quite a bit? Maybe put more faith in His ability & His care for you. Maybe it’s just a matter of needing to practice it because it doesn’t come naturally to you to acknowledge His ever-presence. Maybe it’s a matter of surrender, where you want a little of the control or feel the need to be in charge of how things turn out or how you think things OUGHT to turn out.

Or maybe, like me, it’s a little bit of all three of those.

Shine HOPE by turning your thoughts to Him in ALL circumstances, recognizing that He is ever-present with you everywhere you go & He cares for you, too—more than ANYONE ever could. He gave Jesus for you, so be careful ever doubting His deep care for you even for one single second. He LOVES you! Amen.

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 FIVE 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!!

Raffia Earrings (India)

These stunning Raffia Earrings feature an oval blue glass bead and a circle of raffia fringe with an embroidered seed bead center, hanging from a hand-hammered brass stud. Make a fair-trade fashion statement with these beautiful earrings, handcrafted in a workshop in India committed to fighting child marriage and helping women become financially independent as fair-trade Artisans.

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!

Everything?

“Whether you eat or drink, or WHATEVER you do, do it ALL for the GLORY OF GOD.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, emphasis added)

“Be holy, for I am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16)

I don’t know about you, but when I have always read these verses, I would get a little quicker past a few verses like the ones I shared above.

I know I don’t measure up to that standard. I know I am nowhere NEAR being holy apart from the righteousness accounted to me through JESUS.

So, reading verses like that just seems like “lalala, I can’t HEAR you!” because the impossibility of it mixed with the directness of it made me uncomfortable.

That doesn’t mean I discount them or think they’re not entirely important–because God says it, but I never really considered the fact that IF GOD SAYS IT… it MUST be possible.

Nothing So Obviously Rebellious

But, if I am really, truly honest with myself, I can tell that there are certain sins that I’m okay with—& that’s not okay.

Now, I don’t mean that in the way of picking & choosing certain ones of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses (Deuteronomy 5:1-21) & saying, “I think THIS ONE is okay… oh, & THIS ONE, too!” Nothing so obviously rebellious.

It’s more that if I consider the command to by HOLY & that WHATEVER I do, ALL should be for God’s glory… weeelllll…. I don’t always 100% live like that–& I should, because God says to.

I mean, most things, sure… I try to anyway… but how often do I stop comparing what I’m okay with… with what GOD says He’s okay with… versus with other people in my life?

Do I let HIM set the gauge on ALL things? Or my church? Or my parents? Or a Christian author? Or my peers?

Who determines for me what God is okay with in my life?

Do I Excuse Things That Promote Sin?

Here’s a BIG example for me that up until my self-imposed “rehab” from reliance on coping mechanisms versus trusting that God’s peace really can be sufficient & I don’t have to be trapped any longer by the “OR ELSE” that comes with maintaining my coping mechanisms for my depression… I can really be free from them & trust God in their place… but that is a rabbit hole from my point…

In my “rehab,” I have not allowed myself to watch any tv (read: binge watch, because once my symptoms hit, I have grown to have zero self-control anymore when it comes to tv-watching once I start as I try to drown out the symptoms). And in this giving up of television… amongst other things… I have found it has become much easier to live in a way that honors God—including & especially my thought life!

Why? I think it’s because although I try not to watch “trashy” television, a lot of it still portrays sin & that sin influences me even in subtle ways I would have never owned up to or even recognized previously because I grew up watching tv & it’s always been considered completely, absolutely acceptable—as long as I am not indulging in “filth” that PROMOTES & openly DISPLAYS sin.

But unless my prayer life & Bible study time outweighs the time I spend influenced by tv, guess which one is most likely going to have the stronger, albeit subtler, influence over me? (Galatians 6:8)

How Do You Think It Makes God Feel?

If I am engaging in something where sin is taken lightly, (aka something that God hates & considers worthy of needing to send Jesus to DIE for us because otherwise the punishment is eternal wretched torment in HELL (Romans 6:23; Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:16-17)… does it honor Him if I engage in enjoying it?

Imagine your friend confides in you that someone called her fat & laughed at her & it just caught her off guard & deeply cut her & hurt her & she confides in you saying how much it hurts her… then you sit down with her & choose to watch a show where one character or another makes fun of someone’s weight & a laugh track plays… how do you think your friend is going to feel about that being the butt of the joke?

How do you think God feels when He sees you watching or engaging in something that makes light of something He says hurts Him? Namely, SIN? Do you think that honors Him? Pleases Him? Or hurts His heart? How do you think it makes God feel?

If a particular sin is treated dismissively, like no big deal… or promoted or praised, when God says it is worthy of DEATH & eternal punishment in Hell… where Jesus had to DIE because of it… do you think it honors Him to engage in it or excuse it or watch it? Do you think it pleases Him?

How do you think it makes God feel?

Is This Legalism?

This is where my conviction creeps in, because I recognize how much of a surprising change it’s been in me just these last 2.5 ish months just from not watching tv… & now I am realizing that what I have justified–because it’s widely accepted… may not be what’s best for me because I can’t say with full confidence that it doesn’t hurt or dishonor or displease God.

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify [build up].” (1 Corinthians 10:23, brackets added)

It’s not a matter of legalism. I can’t be saved by being “good” (Ephesians 2:8-9) & any amount of “good” in me is counted as dirty rags to God (Isaiah 64:6)… it’s ONLY by/through JESUS. Only. (John 14:6)

BUT, it IS a matter of whether I really care about giving God the GLORY in WHATEVER I do…. It IS a matter of whether I will CHOOSE to strive to honor & please God with every choice I make (aka striving to live HOLY & pleasing to GOD).

Where Do I Draw the Line?

What’s more important to me? Salvation with a side of living however I see fit as long as it’s not “TOO” offensive/dishonoring to God?

Where’s my line that I’m willing to draw there?

Where am I willing to hurt Him “just a little”?

Do I care about being HOLY? Or just “good enough”?

Do I justify things because I REALLY LIKE IT & IT’S “NOT THAT BAD”?

Who determines what is GOOD? Me? Or HIM?

Is It Okay to “Simply” Make Light of Any Sin?

God says course language/jesting is wrong. (Ephesians 5:4; Matthew 12:36-37; Ephesians 4:29)

God says complaining & gossip is wrong. (1 Corinthians 10:8-10; Jude 1:14-18; Philippians 2:13-16; Proverbs 16:28; James 4:11)

God says murder & hatred is wrong. (Proverbs 6:16-19; 1 John 4:20)

God says sensuality, lust, & sex outside the context of marriage is wrong. (1 Corinthians 10:8-10; Matthew 15:19; Ephesians 4:19; Mark 7:20-23; Matthew 5:28; 1 Corinthians 7:1-4; 1 Corinthians 6:18)

God says witchcraft is wrong. (1 Samuel 15:23; Galatians 5:19-21)

God says choosing our identity versus letting Him determine that is wrong. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16)

God says sleeping with the same sex is wrong. (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27)

What are we okay with watching that makes light of any of that sin because our church always allowed those movies/shows because they weren’t openly engaging in it or promoting it… maybe so our parents were okay with it, our peers encourage it, the world accepts it…?

Have we bothered to ask God what HE is okay with in any of it?

I’m a Sinner… I’m Still Learning to Surrender More to Him for His Glory over My Entertainment

I am not saying all of this because I have it all figured out & always make the right decision or even always know what the right decision is.

I am not here to make the call on where that line ought to be for you.

God says to be 100% convinced in your OWN heart before God… (Romans 14:5) & that if we’re not, & we choose to do it anyway… to US (not necessarily to everyone) it IS sin. (Romans 14:23)

Are you 100% convinced in your heart before God?

The Sins We’re Okay With

The sins we’re okay with… would you say there’s anything you’re okay engaging in that downplays, glorifies, or makes light of anything God hates? Where is the line for you on what you’re okay disappointing, displeasing, or hurting God?

Is there ANY doubt that you’re burying in justifications even though you know very well or even just have the slight inkling idea that maybe God is NOT okay with it?

What sins are you okay with if “to YOU (because of doubt) they are sin”?

SHINE HOPE by being willing to lay down a prayer of surrender whenever God nudges your heart about something, saying, “God, LORD, if there is ANYTHING I do that dishonors or displeases you in the SLIGHTEST, help me to NOT be okay with it anymore. WEED IT OUT of my life! I want my life to strive for holiness AKA a life that seeks to honor & please You with everything I choose. In Jesus’ HOLY name, Amen.”

Amen.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for almost FIVE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

(Explorer Gift Set: India, Haiti, & Guatemala)

Looking for a thoughtful, unique gift? Send him an ethically made gift that makes the world a better place! This Explorer Gift Set empowers families out of poverty with the genuine leather Explorer Wallet from India, a hand-stitched card from Haiti, and packaged in a traditional fabric pouch handwoven in Guatemala. The Explorer Set is perfectly packaged to give to the influential man in your life for Father’s Day, Graduation gifts, or a spring birthday!

*****Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages for families in areas of extreme poverty in India, Haiti, and Guatemala.*****

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

It’s in What’s Not Said

Well, this week at church hit me a little different.

Maybe you see me doing these blog posts every week & going LIVE to chat about the topics every week, & you think, “How can you say you’re silent? You’re anything but silent about God’s Word!”

But let me tell you, while God has brought me great lengths from where I was at when I launched my website & first blog post nearly 5 years ago… I still have some growing to do.

I used to struggle even with how I write now. I used to sort of “water down” what I wrote to make it more palatable to the general audience because I was so afraid of offending anyone—heaven forbid (it’s “in style” to be offended about literally everything these days, it seems).

But, back then, God chided my heart & put an unrest in me to let me know something was off—that if someone was in search of life-giving, FREEING truth… they wouldn’t get what they were looking for… & if someone didn’t care about that, they wouldn’t have reason to care about my measly blog anyway.

So, considering that I have become more straightforward in my pointing to Who my hope comes from—JESUS—it may seem an exaggeration to say I am sinning through my silence… but I am. It’s in what I choose NOT to say….

Finally Reaching their Promised (by God) Land! But…

At church, our pastor has been walking through the journey of the Israelites in the Old Testament, a common theme being their grumbling (see also: murmuring & complaining aka not going to God & thus trusting Him with it/through it)—it’s pretty much threaded through MUCH of the Old Testament. (Exodus 15:24; Exodus 16:2; Exodus 17:3; Numbers 14:2; Numbers 14:29; Numbers 16:41; Deuteronomy 1:27; Joshua 9:18; Psalm 106:24-25)

Right now, we’re in Numbers 13-14, getting to the part where they have arrived at the land God has PROMISED to give them, has singlehandedly LED them to, after PROVIDING miracle after miracle after MIRACLE to GET them there.

And God tells them, at the beginning of Chapter 13, to send their choicest men to go scout ahead to let the people know what to expect: namely, the beautiful, bountiful promised land’s reality of “a land flowing with milk & honey.” (Exodus 3:16-17; Exodus 33:3)

Well, the guys go, get samples of the land’s bountiful resources, & return to the people to give their report. Now, this was meant to be a scouting mission for the place where GOD called them to go, where GOD promised to provide… NOT a “whether or NOT we should go” type thing.

But that’s exactly how they handled it… as giving their assessment of whether or not they should go… & their assessment was a huge NOPE.

A Faith More in Human Ability or God Ability?

“YES, it’s BEAUTIFUL!”

“YES, it’s everything God said it would be & MORE!”

“YES, it’s AMAZING land!………”

“BUT, the people living there are like giants! & there’s so many of them that we don’t even stand a CHANCE! We need to turn back! We will lose!” (Numbers 13:26-29; Numbers 13:31-33, paraphrase)

RUH-ROH. That was NOT their call to make. That was NOT their assignment! (*But wait, don’t I do that ALL THE TIME when I choose not to do something I OUGHT to do because it makes me uncomfortable??? Oops. I try to OUT-LOGIC GOD.)

But it was effective, as basically EVERYONE came as one accord to agree with those choice men. They did NOT want to risk it. (Numbers 14:1-4; Numbers 14:10) They were SO afraid, in fact, that they were readying to STONE anyone who opposed their idea to give up!

“Then the Lord said to Moses: “How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?” (Numbers 14:11)

Am I Too Willing to Stand for God’s Leading, Despite the Hatred of the Crowd?

But there were 2 men who chose to look at the roughness of the situation—I mean, if their choicest men were shaking in their boots so eager to get OUT of there, it MUST have been BAD—but these 2 men:  Caleb & Joshua, chose to trust not what they could see, but the God Who is GREATER than any obstacles they saw ahead. (Numbers 13:30; Numbers 14:6-9)

They remembered how God rescued them from slavery & oppression in Egypt.

They remembered how God had led them through the wilderness with a pillar of smoke by day & a pillar of fire by night, never leaving them to fend for themselves for one moment.

They remembered the manna food that came from the sky that God provided as their daily sustenance, & the water that miraculously sprung out from the rocks when struck in places with no near water source.

They remembered every bit of God’s power & majesty & provision!

And they looked at the SAME OVERWHELMING odds & said, “You know what, it IS a great obstacle that is NOT humanly possible… BUT GOD IS GREATER.”

And the people wanted to STONE them for proclaiming it! What?! (Numbers 14:10)

What Does It Mean to Live by FAITH?

Living in faith means doing what God says, even if it makes NO SENSE to us.

Living by faith means doing what God says, even if the crowd wants to stone you (or “cancel” you) for it.

Crossroads in your life that change the course of your life may seem insignificant at the time but end up having a HUGE impact. Where will our choices lead us? To mediocre, “good enough” or to God’s BEST for those influenced & impacted by you? Are you influencing the world or is the world influencing you? <–Read a previous post on that, here.

When we say, “But I can’t.” We need to finish that statement with, “But GOD CAN.”

Don’t get caught fixating on avoiding discomfort or struggle versus trusting God is more than sufficient through ANYTHING.

Remember Who He Is

What has God ALREADY gotten you through? Throughout history, what has God ALREADY done?

God’s promises or human obstacles… which will you let rule your path/heart/confidence/life?

If even the GREAT 10 were AFRAID, the obstacles they saw must have been HUGE, but Caleb saw clearly that GOD IS GREATER.

Will you be willing to stand alone or will you hide in the majority?

God’s Ways Lead to the Promised Land

This is where I was convicted in my own heart: God’s way & God’s Truth leading to obedience to His Word & also SALVATION… THAT is the promised land… the good land promised by God.

Will I be courageous in encouraging obedience to God’s will, to give Him glory in ALL things… even the things people love to cancel others for… to seek to honor & please Him with EVERYTHING in life, even if it makes me the hated minority, knowing if God has led it then it IS the “promised land” we seek?

His way leads to LIFE. Am I really committed to believing that ENOUGH to speak up about even those things that the media is quick to stone you with their viral words of hatred?

Will I be like Caleb or like the other guys? Will I trust self or God? Will I protect myself or the Truth of God that sets us free & leads to life everlasting?

My Sin? Silence.

Is comfort so much my idol that I would deny encouragement for people to be free of the payment & guilt of their sin? Or if already free, to find the GOODNESS & BLESSING tucked in living a life of determined, surrendered obedience to God no matter what?

Being a Caleb requires sacrifice, surrender, sometimes ridicule, & sometimes a LONELY standing alone. It’s an obstacle that in my seeking out of comfort, seems NOT humanly possible.

But God makes it all worthwhile.

Who around me will pay the price for my silence?

“And your sons shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and bear the brunt of your infidelity, until your carcasses are consumed in the wilderness.” (Numbers 14:33)

I ask again, who will pay the price for my silence?

God Is My Strength, in Whom I Place My Trust

Why do I think I have to be strong when God Himself promises to be my strength?

What God calls sin, is sin. We can justify it, disbelieve it, ignore it, avoid it, talk around it, feel progressive & forward-thinking about it… but what God calls sin… is SIN.

And judgment day will come.

Don’t make excuses. Don’t make yourself out to be wiser than the One Who MADE you.

Trust HIM over yourself. And if it makes absolutely no sense to you & you just REFUSE to live by it until it makes sense to YOU… let’s just say God understands more than you do & that excuse (saying you have to know as much as God or you refuse to obey Him) will not fly with Him come judgment day. Your choice is your choice & thus your consequences will be your consequences.

Be Careful

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,” (Romans 1:20-22; Romans 2:15-16)

Shine HOPE by determining NOT to keep quiet… NOT to focus on the HUGE obstacles/struggles ahead… BUT to fix your eyes on REMEMBERING ALL GOD has brought you through & done throughout history… without your help. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Let God be God in your life every day.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for almost FIVE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

May 2023 Hope Mail

FOR A LIMITED TIME – Only available during the month of May!

Imagine the joy of opening this May Hope Mail package and discovering these eco-friendly fair-trade earrings! Artisans in India handcraft these elegant Silver Simplicity Earrings. Each earring features six silver-tone ovals linked to smaller circles, creating a beautiful fair-trade fashion statement. Every pair of Silver Simplicity Earrings helps to end poverty cycles and keep families out of the slums of India!

This bright, colorful Aqua Statement Bracelet is handcrafted in India and designed to create a fair-trade fashion statement! Several strands of aqua colored glass seed beads on viscose thread. Each bracelet is finished with knotted ends and fun hot pink tassels on the pull strings. This bracelet is helping women in India leave situations of abuse and discrimination and sending girls to school.

Inspire yourself or someone you love with this exclusive, vinyl, Trades of Hope Esther Sticker with the encouraging message, “Perhaps this is the moment for which you were created.”

*****Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty in India where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops and human traffickers.*****

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Understanding Isn’t a Prerequisite for Struggling

Now, before I get started this week, I want to make one thing absolutely clear: This post is NOT meant to be emailed to your child, friend, or spouse, as a way to say, “See, you just need to give it to God.”

If you are tempted to use this post to make a point to someone, you probably need to take a step back & give your heart attitude about that other person… to God. Pray for that person… pray for compassion & understanding… pray that God would work through their struggles, even if you don’t see a “reasonable cause” for them to be struggling the way that they do.

You don’t have to understand it… heck, THEY may not even understand it (*raises hand)… for them to actually BE struggling.

ALSO, if you think to yourself, “I don’t actually struggle with depression, so this post doesn’t apply to me.” Wrong again. We all have struggles where this little sin problem can lurk in undetected… so this post can be for anybody who struggles, ever… AKA anyone.

What Do You Mean?

It’s no secret around here that I struggle with depression. Now, I don’t mean that I am sad all the time or spiraling in a black hole of despair… although it can certainly & easily head that way if I am not careful & watchful & surrendered to God in it.

But, life sometimes doesn’t always come easy to me. Of course, everybody struggles & has hard days, I am not blind to that fact… but what I mean is that some days, my brain just seems to fog over & numb, where I feel checked out, like a heavy weighted blanket has been placed over me, making even physical movement sometimes feel so challenging. Simple, easy tasks become like wading/trudging through waist-deep mud.

And that’s where the despair & sad feelings can creep in if I am not careful, because I sometimes feel trapped in a body where the control center just shuts down randomly on me unexpectedly. And it’s frustrating & angsty & annoying & it makes absolutely no sense sometimes.

But we’ve talked about all that before on here. No new news there.

The Sin Problem That Lurks in Depression & Struggles

The thing I want to focus in on today is the sin problem that lurks in depression & in the midst of our struggles.

Before I talk about it, I think it would be an excellent idea if you started with my previous post: “Understanding Depression with Discernment,” (also completely applicable to ANY struggle, really… especially parts 3-5), where I break down depression into 5 parts:  cause, symptoms, consequences, Satan’s exploitation of all of the above… &, part 5: your choice/response to all of it.

And that leads us to today’s post… mainly, parts 4 & 5.

Sometimes Life Is HARD

Depression is hard. Life struggles are hard. There is NO denying that. Some days just feel like nothing seems to be able to go right & everything just seems to go wrong despite your many efforts toward the opposite.

Some days FRUSTRATE you. Some days catch you off guard like a hard slap to the face. Some days break your heart & leave you a zombie just trying to survive until you can get home & cry in your room without judgment.

Maybe it’s depression or anxiety or any other mental or chronic illness.

Maybe you find a lump. Maybe you get the results & they are the complete opposite of great. Or maybe it’s your kid or your spouse or your parents or best friend.

Maybe it’s a car accident.

Maybe it’s stress at work that seems to always be piling higher no matter how hard you work.

Maybe it’s loneliness… bitter loneliness.

Maybe it’s a little bit of all of the above.

Whatever it may be… if you’re not in it now… you’ve BEEN in it before… & you most likely will again because we live in a sin-torn world until Jesus returns.

Here Comes the Big “BUT”

And it’s not wrong to feel. It’s not wrong to hurt. It’s not even wrong to feel mad at the hardness of it all or the awfulness of whatever the circumstances may be.

But we must stay alert in our grief, in our depression, in our struggle.

Because, as I mentioned in that previous blog post I shared above, Satan is on the prowl. He is looking, SEARCHING tirelessly for situations to exploit.

He is not satisfied that we are just hurting. He wants us consumed by it.

He is not satisfied that we are just struggling. He wants us DROWNING in it.

He is not satisfied that we are tired. He wants us to give up.

Really though, he wants us to doubt God.

He wants us to give up trusting that God can do anything at all… that we can even trust God at all.

He wants us to turn our backs on God forever & bypass the GRACE, LOVE, COMFORT, PEACE, & HOPE that God has stored up for us in His presence.

And honestly… sometimes… when life is really, really, REALLY hard… & STAYS hard… it can feel REALLY EASY to listen to him. And that is where we find the big “but” when it comes to it being okay to feel the hurt… don’t let your hurts turn your hearts from GOD’s HOPE.

Where Does My Help Come From? My Help Comes from the LORD, the Maker of Heaven & Earth!

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

Satan knows God is our ONLY true source of HOPE. (John 14:6)

Satan knows that God heals the brokenhearted & binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)

Satan knows God is our Helper, Comforter, Refuge, & Strength in times of trouble. (Hebrews 13:6; John 15:26; Psalm 46:1)

Satan wants us to forget. He wants us to turn our backs on our only hope.

So, where does the sin problem lurk in depression & struggles?

… In beginning to listen to those lies from Satan because it just feels easier not to fight it anymore.

I Love Sleep

I mentioned somewhat recently that I went through a two-month sleeplessness battle.

I knew it was spiritual warfare because there was no clear, real reason for the sleeplessness. It was always something different–super random.

There I would be, drifting off to sleep, on the very brink of nodding off into dreamland & then ITCH… or DOG BARK… or HUSBAND LEG JERK… or ETC ETC ETC. It made no sense how I could be so relaxed, so at ease, so ready to drift away to sleep, but then never could… for TWO MONTHS of an hour here or a couple hours there.

It was AWFUL. (I love sleep. Anyone else?)

You’d Think I’d Learned by Now… Right?

Anyway, I mention all that because EVERY SINGLE TIME I bowed that icky, sicky, feeling grumpy & tired & already ready to just quit my day every morning so I can go back to sleep, wanting to THROW my phone at the wall for having the AUDACITY of waking me up once I finally fell asleep (an hour before it went off)… EVERY SINGLE TIME I bowed all of that to God, repenting of my terrible attitude & asking for His enoughness to somehow, SOMEHOW get me through each day & honor Him in it…

Guess what? He came through EVERY SINGLE TIME.

So, now comes the part where I tell you the happy ending, right? Where, okay, I have LEARNED my lesson! I no longer worried about no sleep from that day forward because I realized God was my ENOUGH & He would carry me through it all COME WHAT MAY!

Right? …. RIGHT?

nope.

I STILL had to repent EVERY SINGLE DAY about my bad attitude & wanting to just quit, give up, & stay GRUMPY.

Why? Because I knew full-well that God would help me… but I DIDN’T WANT TO NEED HELP EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I Don’t Want to NEED Help… & Satan Knows This… & This Feeling Can Lead to Sin

Depression? Struggles of every kind? Aren’t they the same way?

Deep down, we KNOW God WILL help… but we don’t want to NEED help.

We just want it to stop & go away & not exist anymore.

We don’t want peace IN the storm… we want the storm to GO AWAY.

Right? Am I the only one?

And that right there is the danger. That is where Satan picks & nags & tempts.

There is the sin problem that lurks in depression & troubles: the temptation to want to turn our backs on God because He is allowing the hard to STAY.

Is depression hard? YES!

Are troubles hard? YES!

But the moment we are willing to exchange hope in God for the ultimatum of the end of our troubles… that’s where the sin gets us… that’s where the spiral to despair begins if we’re not careful, watchful, & ALERT… if we’re not surrendered to God EVERY DAY in it–because He IS our hope in it.

My Biggest Idol I’m Tempted to Worship above God… Is COMFORT

I get it. I hate struggling. Comfort is my STRONGEST idol that tempts me.

I want out of the struggle. I want easy. I want EASE.

I don’t want to need to ask for help. I don’t want to NEED help.

But I will tell you something right now. Hard does not have to equal bad… it’s just hard.

And easy doesn’t always equal good, either.

When life is hard, which it WILL be on this earth, be careful, be watchful that you don’t let this sin take root in your heart… that you determine to stay surrendered to the ever-sufficient care of God… EVEN IF it STAYS hard.

Because let me tell you something… hard will stay hard with or without a surrendered heart to God for help… but it will get a WHOLE LOT HARDER without Him.

Rest in Him. Keep Coming to Him. Keep Relying on Him. Keep Recognizing Your Need of Him Every Moment, Every Day.

Rest in Him. Determine to stay surrendered to Him. Ask for His help EVERY day if you have to. Don’t spiral. Don’t let sin creep in when you’re not looking. Don’t reject God when life is at its worst. CLING to HIM.

Shine HOPE by determining to stay surrendered to the help of God, repenting for wanting to be self-sufficient versus God-dependent, & by always pointing to HIM as our source of HOPE in ALL our struggles… depression or otherwise… even if the hard never stops.

BECAUSE HE IS OUR HOPE IN ALL THINGS.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for almost FIVE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Kids’ Pastel Bracelet Set (Uganda)

While Supplies Last! Beautiful, artisanal bracelet set perfect for the kid in your life!

This adorable Pastel Bracelet Set is ideally sized for kids 4-7 years old or those with smaller wrists. This set is designed to coordinate with our Kids’ Vibrant Bracelet Set. Handcrafted by vulnerable women in the slums of Uganda who are leading their families out of poverty, this set includes a pink bracelet and an aqua bracelet made from hand-rolled paper beads and accented with gold glass beads. Each bracelet is totally unique to the woman who made it!

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

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Unrealized Potential?

Are you influencing the world or is the world influencing you? This question was posed at church on Sunday & it really stuck with me.

We have so much potential to live out the grace of God to the world around us, do you realize that? Do I?

Oh, I know our neighbors & our co-workers & extended family seem “just fine,” but imagine having to carry the weight & burden & shame of your choices, second-guessing yourself maybe or trying to stuff those feelings deep down so you can carry on, always stretching toward an ever-fleeting peace or hope or happiness—because you don’t have any true, lasting, solid HOPE.

You have the potential, as an ambassador for God, dear Christians, to live as a physical representation of His grace & hope & peace in the world going on around you every day. Do you realize that?

It’s easy for me to want to answer that question with a quick, “duh, of course,” because it really IS my desire… but when I take a moment to honestly examine my thoughts, my attitude, my day-to-day choices, & my focus—oftentimes, it doesn’t really look like I do realize that after all.

Just Livin’ Life

I go about my life like most people. I get up, usually grumpy at my alarm clock, tired, & dragging my feet to the bathroom to start getting ready for my day.

Then, I say a quick “I love you” to my husband (& my cat) & head to work.

I do my job, barely looking up from my piles of papers to check, except to walk kids to their daily specials… then go to lunch… go home for a quick, often unappreciated kitty snuggle (deep down, I know he loves me… but his snuggle limit typically lasts about 4 minutes)… then get to my chores & “learning corner” of hobbies (ASL, Spanish, & piano).

Time to get dinner ready, greet my hubs, eat, hang out, then get ready for bed & TRY to sleep (I’m not always good at sleeping).

Just going about my day. All that routine… all that stuff to do… but I barely ever really stop to think, “am I representing the grace of Jesus to the people I pass at work? To people I see when I run my errands? To anyone really?”

I just seem to day-in & day-out DO what I need to DO that day & then start again the next day.

Without His CONSTANT Influence & Guidance…

Do you go with the flow, letting the world shape your mind, your attitude about stuff going on in the world, or even your routines/habits? Or do you intentionally seek to lay everything down every moment with a silent prayer of, “Lord, I know my gut response is _____, but what honors & pleases You in this? Help me do that. Give me wisdom & give me strength to do that. Nothing else. Help me live every moment for You & Your glory somehow. Show me how. AMEN.”

I think that’s why God instructs us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” That’s that WHOLE verse right there. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.

He knows full well how easy it is to just hop right into our routine without a second thought.

I need to remember to better learn this habit of “pray WITHOUT CEASING…” every thought, every routine, every habit, every task, every interaction, ALL OF IT bowed to Him… offered to Him as an opportunity to be an INTENTIONAL influence for HOPE in the world around me every day… every moment.

Just Don’t Let Them Get in the Way of GOD

Habits & routines aren’t bad. They help us function more effectively & efficiently… but the danger in them is that I can get so used to them & so comfortable in them that I barely ever look up… I barely ever consider, “what if God wants to change my route today? What if God wants me to interact with someone specific today for a loving word of Truth or a smile or an encouraging word… & it takes me off my scheduled/routined path?” What if?

Will I be willing to let God interrupt my routine/habits to better be an influence of grace to someone He puts in my path or will I be too sidetracked with my own routine?

Will I be willing to say, “God, interrupt my day if it’s Your desire. Show me PEOPLE & HEARTS in need of You today. Give me Your eyes. Give me Your wisdom. Give me Your LOVE for PEOPLE. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Are our tasks important? Sure. Are they AS important as God’s assignment for your any given day? NOPE, not even CLOSE.

God Knows… He KNOWS

Maybe it’s tempting to think: “But, I have RESPONSIBILITIES! GOD KNOWS THAT!”

Yes, He does know that. So, guess what… if He chooses to interrupt your plans, HE HAS A PLAN for THAT, too!

Oh, how easy it is for me to trust MY plan & my view of the day & what I think is just SO important.

Oh, how easy it is for me to look to OTHERS to tell me what is of utmost importance. A boss maybe? Should I listen to them? Of course? Should I let them trump God’s lead? NOPE, never. God has a plan for THAT, too.

Oh, how I tend put God’s lead LAST.

As if He doesn’t know it’s important.

As if He doesn’t know my responsibilities need doing.

As if He doesn’t know I have commitments to keep.

As if He doesn’t know.

Am I Willing to Trust Him Above MYSELF? Am I?

Am I willing to trust that He knows what’s needed… what’s expected of me? That He’ll cover that & lead me in the HOW?

Am I willing to think maybe, just maybe He knows better & more than ME?

Am I willing to LET HIM interrupt ME?

Am I willing to let Him use me to be an influence of His grace to the world around me?

Am I willing to pray WITHOUT ceasing, bowing EVERY interaction & thought & activity & routine & habit & task to HIM for HIS will over MY plans?

Are You Influencing the World or Is the World Influencing You? ALL for God’s Glory

Are you influencing the world? Or is the world influencing YOU?

“So, whether you eat or drink, or what ever you do… do it ALL FOR the GLORY of GOD.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, emphasis added)

Shine HOPE. Be intentional. Be surrendered. Be willing to be interrupted. Be willing to let God take the lead of your every thought, task, or habit. Be willing to be an influence for HIS GRACE to the world around you everywhere you turn.

“God, I want to be this way for You! I really do! But I am so quick to my routines. Please teach me to pray WITHOUT ceasing, making my every passing thought a prayer to You to lead me, to interrupt me, to use me for Your grace & glory. Take me by the hand. Make this thinking my true over-arching-all habit. Use me to influence this lost world with Your Mountain-Moving GRACE. In Jesus’ all-powerful, unconditionally loving, gave-everything-for-us name, amen.”

AMEN.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for almost FIVE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Agate Key Bracelet (Dominican Republic)

The varying shades of genuine blue lace agate stone make every Agate Key Bracelet from the Dominican Republic entirely unique. Each stretch-to-fit bracelet features a gold-tone accent bead and a delicate gold key charm.

***Every purchase of this bracelet supports a safe house in the Dominican Republic that provides housing, education, legal services, and trauma counseling for survivors of human trafficking.***

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Who Is Really Behind It? Be on Alert!

I take things personally too often. It’s one of my not great qualities. Honestly, that’s why I had to pray so much leading up to even taking the first steps with creating & publishing this website.

Even if it’s a simple misunderstanding with another person, I tend to take it as my character &/or integrity being questioned & it hurts my feelings.

I know people make mistakes. I know I make mistakes… but I still feel the sting when someone misunderstands me in some way.

But then, deep down, if I take time to surrender the hurt to God, God reminds me that my true wrestling match is not with the other person (Ephesians 6:12), but with Satan aiming to sow discord among us.

The Cunning Snake

You see, Satan is a cunning snake. He has had MANY years to learn how humans tick… to know how to create divisions, disagreements, & discord. He knows where to strike.

It’s something I always try to keep in mind & repeatedly try to remind others when meeting with young ladies for discipleship/accountability. Because if you have a relationship with someone that honors & glorifies God, encouraging & edifying one other toward the gospel & good works… you can be SURE that Satan will be QUICK to do WHATEVER he can to break that up… ASAP.

So, if you feel a pull from insecurity, shame, annoyance, frustration, or anything not PEACE-laden pulling you away from someone, you can be sure Satan is doing what he can to keep you both from glorifying God together…. Another reason why he attacks marriages & ministries so often!

And yet, even knowing this… I still fall for it sometimes.

Disagreements, Grumpies, & Hurt Feelings

It can start as small as a disagreement about something, seeing something differently than someone else… or maybe a misunderstanding… & if left unchecked, begins to erode away the potentially God-honoring, blessed connection you may have with someome, until you feel so stiff, tense, &/or insecure around them that you maybe start making new routes in your life to avoid interacting with them.

Sometimes it’s a grumpy mood, “that time of the month,” waking up “on the wrong side of the bed,” or just a good ol’ tough day… & it gets misinterpreted or maybe taken out on someone else… or the grump on your face gets seen as an afront against someone else & now you’re in a feud with someone you didn’t even realize you had offended.

Or maybe you DO realize because your day was SO bad & your mood was left unchecked for TOO long & the cramps are UGH & you just let a curt word come out of your mouth when responding (or rather, REACTING) to someone else. Oops.

It doesn’t take much. Satan is QUICK to jump in there with leading conclusions & jabbing at your insecurities & stabbing at your vulnerabilities until now you’re fuming & “well, I didn’t realize they were SUCH A JERK! Forget them!”

Yeah, it happens.

Be Aware So You Can Pray

But, we need to be aware of this because we need to know to pray about this.

We need to know the signs, the dangers, the manipulations that Satan uses on our weak spots, emotions, & insecurities.

And we need to know to PRAY.

Satan wants grudges, God wants grace.

Satan wants rifts, God wants restoration.

Satan wants division, God wants unity & peace.

Learn to take your gut reaction to God… to forgive you for your gut reaction if it does not honor or would not please Him… for help laying the offense at His feet… & for wisdom on a path toward restoration, through grace, for reconciled unity & peace with that person.

A Prayer of Surrender in the Hurt of the Moment

“God, OOOHH that was not cool! I feel so frustrated & tense & I just want to REACT! But… God help me, please help me. Help me to take a deep breath. Help me place this on Your strong shoulders. Help me let go. Maybe they’re having a bad day. Maybe they’re just grumpy & I’m making more of it. Maybe they really are MAD at me. I don’t know & it shouldn’t matter! Help me lay that on You. Give me Your peace. Don’t let me fall prey to Satan’s twisting, manipulative divisiveness. Help me give it to YOU. Help me to LOVE even when I don’t feel loved back. Help me to SERVE those who seem to dislike me, knowing they don’t have to even like me for me to do the right thing. Help me to honor YOU with how I respond. HELP me do that. My gut response is pettiness, anger, frustration, avoidance… but You command GRACE as You have given me such grace. Grace, by definition, is undeserved—so even if they meant to be mean to me, help me to have the surrender-to-YOU attitude to let You handle it & to help me give grace. Help me love like You love, not reviling or threatening in return (1 Peter 2:21-24). But, love. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Don’t Let Satan Sow Discord Among You

Maybe they really are just having a bad day & it really has NOTHING to do with you.

Maybe they MEANT IT & wanted to hurt you.

Regardless… LOVE.

Regardless… GRACE.

Regardless… Honor God with your RESPONSE (even if you have to bite your lip HARD, take a DEEP breath, & PRAY for help desperately).

If you have a prayer partner, an accountability partner, are in discipleship with someone… EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN & PRAY AGAINST IT & for discernment to see it!

It Hurts, I Know…

You don’t have to be respected to be respectful.

You don’t have to be liked to love.

You don’t have to be admired to do what’s right.

You don’t have to be well-treated to be kind.

Despite their choice… YOU have a choice.

Honor God. Lean on God. Let God help you.

To God be the Glory Forever and Ever!

Don’t let Satan sow discord among you, because Lord knows HE WILL TRY.

Shine HOPE by praying for the discernment to recognize Satan’s crafty schemes & the submissive heart to come to God for help with a response that honors Him versus letting Satan control the narrative through your natural human response.

Choose to honor God ALWAYS, even when it doesn’t feel so great in that exact moment.

God will bless you for your obedience.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for almost FIVE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Silver Remi Necklace (India)

This classic silver-tone beaded necklace from India is an everyday wardrobe essential. Wear it alone or layer it with other necklaces! Customize your length with the adjustable extension chain on the back featuring an easy-clasp closure.

***Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops.***

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!