A Hard Message for All of Us

“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
Do not stir up nor awaken love
Until it pleases.” (Song of Solomon 2:7, 3:5, 8:4)

This message isn’t just for us women, but it is for all of us.

We are urged, in these verses (in God’s Word), not to stir up or awaken love (desire) when it is out of place… aka outside of a marriage relationship.

But this call to not stir up desire is not an easy one in our media-saturated culture.

The “Sex Sells” Obstacle

A quick observation tells us that in marketing, “sex sells.”

Almost every television show & movie & video game seems to strive after being sexually appealing. Whether it’s merely implied, showcased in crude jokes or comments, shown glimpses of, or just flat out displays sex… sex appeal seems to be pushed everywhere in media.

It’s even a minefield in books, not just in the romance novels so sought out by many women, but even in mysteries & dramas & comedies, authors seem to always be finding ways to slip in a sex scene.

And then to be confronted with this little verse that is repeated throughout Song of Solomon (also called Song of Songs):

“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
Do not stir up nor awaken love
Until it pleases.” (Song of Solomon 2:7, 3:5, 8:4)

This can be quite the challenge in our sex sells culture.

Purity Culture Isn’t Enough

Lust started early for me, maybe preteens. Since I grew up in purity culture, I knew not to have sex outside of marriage—more out of fear of condemnation than an understanding that God knows what is best for us & trusting His call with it–but that meant I found other ways to indulge the temptations–with fantasies.

Honestly, I think purity culture is lacking, as displayed in Song of Solomon, where it does not seek to shy away from displaying the pleasure of this topic… but rather with a very important key: context.

“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
Do not stir up nor awaken love
Until it pleases.” (Song of Solomon 2:7, 3:5, 8:4)

That it is something to look forward to with a spouse—a shared intimate experience with your partner in life rather than something tossed about like a cheap ragdoll, misused & perverted from the intimate joy it’s mean to be as shared with your spouse.

God’s Gift to Us–Within Context

Sex should not be taboo, avoided in Christian conversation. Sex should be celebrated as a gift of God to us, to be shared in the context with which He designed it to be enjoyed.

But a warning of the alternative should be included, as echoed throughout Song of Solomon:

“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
Do not stir up nor awaken love
Until it pleases.” (Song of Solomon 2:7, 3:5, 8:4)

Because although God heals & restores that which was lost, if we heed this echoed warning, there won’t be as much need for healing & restoration.

Not Even a HINT–RUN from It

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” (Ephesians 5:3)

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)

God tells us to run from temptation & to avoid even a HINT of it in our lives. He does NOT say, “enjoy a little bit until you can enjoy it more later.”

He says:

“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
Do not stir up nor awaken love
Until it pleases.” (Song of Solomon 2:7, 3:5, 8:4)

We need to ditch the romance novels, skip the shows & movies that elicit a desire for lustful thoughts, & RUN from temptations in this area, to ensure that we DO NOT STIR UP NOR AWAKEN LOVE until its time–not even a HINT of it.

Avoid Now So You Can Avoid a Need for Healing Later

As someone who loop-holed her way into a pattern of fantasizing (AKA indulging in my form of that HINT OF sexual immorality), I can tell you–even with “JUST” a HINT–fantasizing–healing had to be done & it took YEARS.

God began showing me the damage done as I cried out to Him for help understanding my hurts & my guarded heart & as I surrendered those to Him, He began to heal… but I wasn’t always willing to admit I needed healing because I wanted to justify my sinful patterns, still.

The more we tempt our tendency for temptation by allowing ourselves to be in situations where we are more prone to be tempted, the more we will struggle against & need to fight that temptation… the more we will be tempted to give in to lust & sexual sin.

… & the more we rack up our need for that healing & restoration only God can provide us.

He heals. He restores.

But take time to repent NOW. To avoid NOW. To heal & restore NOW.

It’s NOT Worth It–But It’s SO Easy to Allow Satan to Convince You It Is… That It’s “Harmless”

Don’t tempt it. Don’t go anywhere near those visuals or words that tempt you toward the pit of destruction.

It may not be obvious. You may even convince yourself that the ache you feel, the emptiness you feel, the divide & distance you feel is “just the way life is.”

But it’s not.

It’s not meant to feel that way.

It’s meant to be something rejoiced about. A safe space. A joy.

It’s meant to be done in the context of how God designed it.

He knows you. He knows your heart. He knows its fragility. He sees you try to justify it, while it eats away at you. He knows.

And He doesn’t want that for you. None of it.

Trust His design. Trust Him to know you even better than you do.

Trust Him to know what will bring you joy & peace & fulfillment better than what you think you know.

What Does It Mean to “Not Awaken Love Until Its Time”?

Remember—He is God… ALMIGHTY, All-Knowing GOD.

Trust His design & “I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
Do not stir up nor awaken love
Until it pleases.” (Song of Solomon 2:7, 3:5, 8:4)

So, what does it mean to not awaken love until it pleases? …Until its time? It means avoiding those HINTS of sex outside of marriage, FLEEING from them even… waiting SOLELY for the context with which God designed it to flourish & bring joy–marriage.

Shine HOPE by determining to trust God on this, repent if you haven’t or don’t want to, & ask for His help with awareness of your compromise, help running from the compromise, help with a willingness to accept His help in the compromise… & help with healing & restoration for the mistakes you have already made.

He knows best. He IS enough. EVERY TIME. And God is quick to forgive.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out the new free printable resources!***)

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Zoya Earrings (India)

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

How You Can Help:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

What Does Jesus Have to Say?

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, & with all your mind.’  This is the first & greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law & the Prophets.”

(Matthew 22:36-40) (emphasis mine)

What a Striving for Holiness Looks Like

Have you ever stopped & taken a moment to consider what the implications are behind that passage?

What does this passage teach us about what God cares about?

Jesus shows us here both what God cares about & simultaneously what a pursuit of holiness looks like—to seek to have everything you feel, do, & think be that which seeks to honor & please God…. & to actively seek how we may love those around us just as much as we look out for ourselves & our own needs.

This quick passage is so powerful… it is so succinct in its summarizing of God’s commands, because as we seek to love God with our everything, we will, in turn, seek to not do what dishonors or displeases Him…. While highlighting just how important those around us are to Him, & the importance of seeking to love them as we love ourselves.

Not My Default… For Sure!

I don’t know about you, but those are definitely not my default settings. My sin nature glares at me some (most) days to just seek my own will & way, based on what I decide I think or want in any given moment.

My default is self-absorbed laziness on the couch with snacks & a nonstop binging of a good show—NOT seeking to actively love others. I feel I have enough to be concerned about my own life that I just don’t have the time, energy, patience, or care to also look out for others.

A Whole Lot of Everythings

But God is clear in this Matthew 22 passage that I shared above… What HE cares about is that we make Him number ONE in EVERYTHING… Everything we FEEL… Everything we DO… & Everything we THINK…. That’s a whole lot of everythings.

And that the second greatest thing He cares about is that we seek to love others as we love ourselves.

Oof.

That doesn’t blend well with my default settings/desires to look out for numero uno & stay cozy in my insecure-driven comfort zones.

God Knows Best–ALWAYS–100%

But what a blessed life it is when we commit to live out these commands from Matthew 22.

It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s not a one-time decision, but rather a daily one.

It’s not even something we can force to happen… without God’s help.

It takes consistent surrender… Consistent repentance… Consistent reminders that He ALWAYS knows best, 100%, even when we think we know better.

And yet I fight it. Every day. Sometimes it’s in little ways & other times it’s the big things… but it’s every day.

Surrender. Repent. Obey-with God’s Help.

I have to constantly, consistently remember to surrender (& surrender to His help, it is, because oftentimes I would rather stay as I am & not have Him help me do otherwise)… to say something like:

“God, I am sorry. I feel Your gentle nudge on my heart that I need to show love here, but I’m intimidated. What if I’m hearing You wrong? What if they don’t want my help? What if I make them cringe at me, like, ‘do I LOOK like I need your help?’ Oh, LORD, please help me trust that You care more about that person than me being trapped by my fears & insecurities. Help me trust You to help me. Give me the words to say. Give me courage. I’m sorry for letting my fear dictate my actions more than my faith in You. Help me. In Jesus’ name, I pray… AMEN.”

Sometimes, it sounds more like this:

“God, I know this is a responsibility You have put before me. I’m sorry my fleshly nature is resisting it. I’m sorry that I want to listen to it over You. Help change my perspective. Put the desire in me to do Your will over mine. You know better EVERY time. Help me remember that & help me obey even when it just feels easier to live for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray… AMEN.”

Surrender. Repentance. Obedience (with an asking for God’s help).

He Proves Himself Deserving Time & Time & Time Again

These commands of His, to us, on which all other commands hang, sound like such a tall order… impossible even… & they are… Without God’s help… without asking God to BE your help.

He renews. He transforms. He grows our faith in Him… as we walk in obedience to His will & His way.

And as we walk in that obedience—seeking to love Him with all that we are & to love others as we love ourselves—He proves His deserving of it time & time & time again.

The Bible (God’s Word) Says….

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children & walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us & gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering & sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2) (emphasis mine)

“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.” (2 John 1:6) (emphasis mine)

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy & dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness & patience.  Bear with each other & forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14) (emphasis mine)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

A Lifelong Pursuit That God Works Out within Us As We Submit to His Help

Loving God with everything is not easy. It will be a lifelong pursuit of allowing God to weed things out of your heart & mind & routines to replace with that which pleases & honors Him.

Loving others like ourselves is not easy. It will be a ride of selfishness to surrender, pride to humility, insecurity to faith that God will grow in you as you are willing to take your resistance &/or fears to Him for His help.

But while those 2 commands may be so impossibly hard some days, a surrender to be willing to let God love through you makes it possible.

Surrender. Repentance. Obedience (with God’s help).

Shine Hope by being willing to surrender to God’s help in putting your love for Him first & in always determining to love others just as you love yourself.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Silver Medallion Necklace (India)

This textured silver-tone chain from India can be worn separately or layered with other necklaces from our One World Collection. The uniquely textured pendant adds the perfect artistic touch. Three length options allow you to choose your comfort & style. Every purchase provides fair-trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India.

How You Can Help:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Do We Model What We See from Others? Or Do We Seek God’s Instruction?

How well do you know the Bible… aka the Word of God? Would you be able to tell whether the words of Mark 7:8 describe you? “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men….” (Mark 7:8)

In other words, how much of your walk with God (or strivings to live in such a way that honors & pleases God) revolves around God’s own instructions versus what you grew up seeing demonstrated at church or from others?

I Follow What I Grew Up With, Often without Considering God May Ask Something Different of Me

To be honest, most of my life could probably reflect more of following “the traditions of men” versus even having a clue as to what God wanted from me or even bothering to ask Him or seek it out… & I even much preferred that, thinking God’s tall order would be too overwhelming & beyond my willingness &/or ability to maintain.

But what a sad life that creates… empty & void of any true blessings that come from God’s way of doing things.

Test What You Know Against God’s Instruction

One of the vital reasons we need to be in God’s Word daily is that it can be too easy to live based on our personal preconceptions, thinking, “well, this is just the way my church [family, friends, etc.] has always done things.”

This pattern gets us easily looped into an often-unintentional self-righteous attitude of doing “churchy” activities/traditions rather than surrendering to God’s will for each situation & time… trading our worship for tradition… trading God’s lead for tradition.

Avoid the “Good Christian” Check-List Way of Life

On the flip side of this coin, we can get so used to our churchy activities & traditions, that we slip into auto-pilot, neglecting to consider it as our worship to God & instead checking it off our imaginary “good Christian” check-list.

This was reflected in Revelation 2:2-5, where God commends the people on all of their hard work, but says that the one thing He has against them is that they have lost their first love—a cautionary alert to anyone going through the motions of “good Christian work,” while simultaneously forgetting their WHY behind it—worship & grateful service to our Almighty Father.

I Don’t Do It on Purpose!

Now, how can I change that? It is usually not even intentional when I live this way.

God will lead me to something, I then will surrender to His lead & ask for His help in it… I do it… & then pretty soon, my doing becomes just routine/tradition & I forget to pause & ask God for any necessary changes to my course or my work… just checking off my obedience in my routines/traditions, versus consistently following God’s lead, through prayer & doing it out of worship & service to Him.

What Is Your Why?

Are you doing things because it’s the way you’ve always done things or because God is asking it of you? Because it’s the way your family has always done it? Because it’s the way your CHURCH has always done it?

And do you do things to please & honor Him? Or simply to keep up “what good Christians do”?

Do you need to come clean to God & repent? To start fresh again? Renewal & a clean slate?

Do you take time to get to know God’s Word & do as HE leads, both in the Bible AND as He moves your heart in prayer?

Following the Traditions of Men… Or Not So Much… Versus Asking God’s Way Forward for Me

For example, I struggled reading the Bible all the way through my whole life (I became a Christian at 5 & I didn’t read the Bible through completely until about 30 years later) because it seemed boring, unrelatable, not understandable, tedious, etc. & because I had always been told I have to read through it in a year… but as a non-avid reader, this was overwhelmingly daunting, I always fell behind, & then I would just quit.

BUT, when Andrew Murray’s book on PRAYER (highly recommend, by the way!) mentioned our need of God’s help in our obedience, I would pray for God to help me in my obedience, even in my willingness to obey & perspective change… & God encouraged me that nowhere in His Word does He say how many chapters or for how long I ought to be reading each day… just that His Word renews my heart & mind & that I ought to be dwelling on its Truth day & night, sitting & standing & going about my day. (2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:16; Joshua 1:8; Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

This revelation allowed me the freedom to just READ without the pressure of “not enough” or “not deep enough,” just walk in obedience by reading it.

How freeing!

And somehow the more I read the Bible, the more I seem to WANT to read & learn… reading His Word invoked that reaction without me trying to force it to happen from the get-go. I simply obeyed in the doing, asking for God’s help along the way in the doing & in the willing to do.

Don’t Rely Solely on Human Teaching… Learn from God Himself

No person is perfect, even pastors, & while God appoints pastors to guide us as our earthly shepherds, we cannot replace our personal need for God & His Word with a pastor.

Traditions start as a benefit, to streamline the how-to, but can often eventually become merely the, “this is how we _____________” … replacing the life-giving, essential step of intentionally & frequently asking God how HE wants us to ________________ this time.

Traditions of Men or Commandment of God?

Don’t rely solely on traditions. Get to know God’s Word & His instruction.

Get to know what honors & pleases God from God Himself, through His Word & through prayer for help & discernment versus depending solely on “the way we’ve always done things.”

Keep your faith fresh this way, seeing God’s lead & work actively in your life & through your life & instead of blindly following the traditions of men, seek the commandment of God. (Mark 7:8)

Shine hope by leaning on the good, pleasing, & perfect will of God.

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

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    & lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
    & He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Long Chain Necklace (silver-toned) (INDIA)

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

How You Can Help:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

I’m Not the Person for the Job

Lately, I have been doing a lot more reflection on the fact of my undeserving to represent God to you.

I am just an average person. You may look at me in awe, wondering how I can display the discipline & ambition to start & run a website, with a social media community to boot, but I am just an average person.

I get complimented regularly for these accomplishments, for which I am so grateful because the encouragement is often just the motivation I need that day, but you need to know the truth about me.

My go-to is not to edify, build up, or encourage. My default ambition is not to reach out & inspire & pray for.

Quite the contrary.

I Choose Me So Often, It’s Embarrassing

When I am given the choice, my ambition only serves ME. I look out for ME, MY comfort, & MY selfish heart.

I would rather stay in pajamas on the couch, all day, with the worst-for-me, delicious snacks, watching tv & playing video games.

I would rather not go out of my comfort zone… like at all.

I would rather eat out for most every meal & avoid any & all responsibilities.

I would rather forget the needs of every other person & only serve myself.

Like I said, I am not special… I am just an average person… maybe worse than.

Sincere, But So Weak to My Selfishness for Comforts

But at the same time, I am not insincere in my efforts of these pursuits to encourage & edify you as you seek to know & love God more. It’s important to me & of great value in my heart.

But it for sure takes surrender some days. And then some of those days, it takes REAL BIG surrender… “kicking & screaming temper tantrum because “I DON’T WANNA!” surrender.

My selfishness will rear up, my greed to waste my time away at my own choosing. I don’t like being uncomfortable or stretching myself or being vulnerable or reaching out to others who haven’t asked for it. I like staying safe in the known, versus risking the unknown.

God Pursues My Heart & Beckons Me to Take His Hand in Surrender

But deep down, there’s a gentle whisper behind the waves of my tantrum… “Michelle, you know this is your sin talking, trying to take over your life to live just for you. But what kind of life would that be, Michelle? Empty. Meaningless. Purposeless. You know that’s not truly what you want. You need to surrender these strong feelings of temptation & fear to Me. You need to trust Me to help you overcome them. Let Me help you. Don’t waste away your life with selfish ambition. Submit to Me & find life.”

It’s not exact words. It’s not a voice that I hear. But it’s like this feeling, like truth whispering behind the storm… beckoning me to trust God to help me through the temptation to quit everything & live selfishly, aimlessly, fruitlessly for myself.

To trust God instead.

I Wanted So Badly to Just Believe & Obey… But That Was Not My Story

I am no model Christian.

A majority of my growing up years, I was plagued, no… TORMENTED… by doubts that raged & threatened & harassed me every single day… me wanting so badly to find that I could toss it all out upon finding out it’s all a hoax so I could just live my way, live like everyone else I envied.

I hated that I needed evidence for EVERYTHING.

I hated that I couldn’t just have “childlike faith.”

I hated that I couldn’t just accept it like everyone else at church seemed to so easily be able to do.

But when God finally answered me once & for all, slicing through every doubt to prove Himself worthy of my surrender, worthy of my awe & respect, worthy of my unquestioned obedience, through His beautiful plan… I still find ways to shut Him out.

I Trust the Blessings from God Sometimes More Than I Trust God

I get comfortable with the blessings He gives me, then I begin to covet the comfort those blessings supply… worship & idolize that comfort… pulling away & hardening myself against God to cling to that comfort.

And yet God loves me. He is patient & kind. He doesn’t keep a list of my wrongs. He is quick to forgive. He is gracious & long-suffering. (1 John 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

And no matter how many times He proves Himself in my life, I still hold back… my default is still so often to choose ME.

God Called & God Provides… When I Am Willing to Surrender My Will/Fear for His Help

I don’t deserve this role. I don’t deserve to come & encourage you. I don’t deserve this.

But He called me anyway. And He provides & walks with me through it.

And when the storm of angry, selfish rebellion threatens to dismantle the whole thing, I have learned that when I allow that quiet whisper to bring me to my knees in surrender to God’s help, He never withholds it from me.

Surrender, It Truly Is

And surrender it truly is. Surrender in a war between what is right & good against my own personal selfishness & fear & limitations.

God loves me too much to let me have my way. He knows the dark path that leads me to. He knows that quitting triggers patterns of self-indulgence, isolation, & eventually depression.

He KNOWS.

I know. And I still fight Him.

I am not worthy.

If I didn’t surrender to let God help me, I would choose me a shameful amount of the time.

I am not the better Christian, the shining example. I am a sinner saved by grace, still a work in progress, learning more & more my need for daily surrender.

A Prayer of Surrender

And oftentimes, my prayers sound something like this:

“I hear You, God. I hear that whisper, that gentle whisper, a breeze across my heart of the truth. But I feel desperate to forget anyone & everything that doesn’t serve me right now in this moment. I want more snacks. I want soda, not water. I want to eat out. I want to stay in pajamas & binge tv versus my blog or encouraging a friend or anything else truly worthy of my time & efforts. I want to completely avoid any & all responsibility. I don’t want to care about anything but me…. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry I want so badly to reject You again & live for me, even if it destroys me. I’m sorry I want that. Please forgive me. Don’t let go of me. Hold on when I don’t feel I can… when I don’t feel I want to. Be my strength. Help me see You do this for my good. I know it & You know it, but help me choose Your will for my good over this temporary instant gratification that we both know will lead me down a dark path I don’t want to go down. Help me choose to trust You. I want to! Please help me let go & take Your path. Walk with me. Show me the way. Be my strength. Thank You for never, ever giving up on me. You are so wonderful. Your grace is beyond my deserving. Thank You. In Jesus’ powerful, wonderful name… AMEN.”

What About You?

So, if this isn’t you, you’ve got more potential than me. Don’t waste it. Let God use your willingness to trust & follow His lead.

But if you are like me, there IS hope. God can take you each step. God won’t give up on you. His loving, faithful, forgiving, grace-filled pursuit of us is relentless & life-giving.

I am just an average person loved & helped by an Almighty God.

Shine HOPE by letting Almighty God use your life for good, even if you’re just an average person like me.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out the newly added Journal Printables & updated Resources & Recommendations page!***)

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

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

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (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!!

Ellora Necklace Set

This set of two adjustable gold-toned necklaces can be worn separately or together. Mixing classic styles together by layering freshwater pearl & a golden coin pendant make these delicate necklaces on-trend.

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

Purchase this necklace & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

“If God Is Good, Then Why Would He Send Anyone to Hell?”

This is a topic I try to revisit from time to time, because it is something I hear asked quite frequently—usually preceded by: “If God is good, then….”

So, why is it then? Why does God, our GOOD God, send anyone to Hell?

Well, the quick answer is this: God doesn’t want ANYONE to go to Hell. (2 Peter 3:19)

Hell is the consequence–the punishment–for our sin. But God offers grace to anyone who is willing to humble themselves & accept it.

Consider the Manipulative Lies Satan Tells Us

And here comes the follow-up question, usually phrased something like: “That sounds pretty self-absorbed of God, ‘MY WAY OR GO TO HELL!’ & that doesn’t sound good to me at all. It sounds manipulative & controlling! Is God just manipulating us into what He considers to be good behavior?”

Let’s consider firstly how Satan sure likes to twist the truth (John 8:44)… make us second-guess God (1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10)… make us think surely we know better or at least as much as God in determining what “ought to be.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Starting out in the Garden of Eden, Satan’s tactics were just the same: “Did God really say….” (Genesis 3:1)

Satan does NOT have your best interests at heart. Everything he tells you comes with fine print.

In the Beginning… GOD

Instead, let’s reframe the situation here just a bit.

God existed before time itself. God existed as GOD before the world or anything in it even was. (Genesis 1:1)

God then created the world & everything in it in 6 days, speaking everything into existence because of His great power & wisdom… including mankind… including you…. (Genesis 1-2; John 1:3)

God, being all-powerful, almighty, outside of time & before time existed, has ULTIMATE authority & say-so… whether anyone agrees with Him or understands. (Psalm 47:7)

God IS. Our belief does not determine His existence… He just IS. (Exodus 3:14)

We Choose Self in Our Sin

But sin came into the picture. (Genesis 3)

Humankind wanted to be like God, to make up their own minds & to do life their way. Satan helped by nudging them further into their doubts, away from God & toward SELF, but every person made the choice to sin.

There were consequences to that sin… & sin became a natural part of humanity. Every single person is born choosing SELF. Every single person is born in sin.

God Never Quits on Us, No Matter How Much We Deserve It

But God lovingly, patiently, faithfully pursues humanity. God gave His law, explicitly through Moses, on stone tablets, outlying how to live a life honoring & pleasing to Him as the only true authority of heaven & earth. (Exodus 20:1-24)

The people eventually chose their own way instead.

God gave the law of sacrifice, atoning oneself through sacrificing animals as a payment on their behalf. (Leviticus 17:11–now no longer necessary because of Jesus!)

The people still eventually chose their own way, even going as far as sacrificing & following all of the “right rituals” just to “get away with” their sin–it didn’t work then & it doesn’t work now.

God judged His people through punishment, but God didn’t give up on His people.

God Relentlessly Chooses to be “Quick to Forgive”

God’s people, the Israelites, went through the endless cycle of humility, comfort, growing pride, self-focus, rejection of God, outright sin… destroying themselves in the process… met with God’s judgement to force the end of their destructive path, then the people would finally recognize their actual need of Him & the wrongs they had been living & would humbly cry out in repentance to God for His help & rescue.

And every single time, God relented & healed & rebuilt. (1 John 1:9; Psalm 107)

Not after they “proved themselves worthy,” not after they begged “enough.”

He just forgave… & restored them.

Every time.

But then the cycle would repeat as soon as they got comfortable.

I Am Like the Israelites. I Follow the Same Patterns.

It sounds like my life in a nutshell.

I go through times where all I want is to please God & live for Him… but God blesses my life & I begin to get comfortable depending on those blessings (vs. Him)… I begin to depend & rely on & seek to stay comfortable… begin to reject God’s nudgings when they’re not comfortable… become hard-hearted toward God to protect my comfort… reject God & choose me… struggle & wear away, feeling trapped & angsty & burdened, like a wounded animal, too afraid to release my grip on that comfort… watch as my life becomes a mess… & finally I cry out to God for help… & He helps me.

And the cycle eventually seems to start all over again.

We Cannot Save Ourselves… On Our Own, We Are Truly HopeLESS

So, this cycle continues throughout history… proving again & again that humanity is not capable of saving itself. I am incapable of saving myself. You are incapable of saving yourself.

“But, God demonstrates His love toward us in that WHILE we were STILL sinners, Jesus Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) (emphasis mine)

What Exactly Is Hell? It’s Our Default Destination Without Jesus

You see, God DOES say that the punishment of our sin… of breaking His laws as ALMIGHTY GOD… & choosing us over Him… is DEATH—not just life-ending death, but a life of death… for eternity. (Romans 6:23)

This death… Hell… is NOT rock n roll music, electric guitars, loud bass, doing whatever you want, “living it up.”

This death… Hell… is eternal separation from God.

God Loves Us Sinners

God tells us that He rains on the just & the unjust… that He cares for us whether we choose or reject Him. (Matthew 5:44-45)

God loves us so much that even while sinners, God made a way possible for our redemption. (Romans 5:8)

AND every good & perfect gift on this earth is a gift from Him, in our lives. (James 1:17)

And in Hell, there is no refuge, no protection, no healing, no comfort, no peace, no love… no hope.

But the Good News is that God tells us explicitly that He wills that NO ONE go there. (2 Peter 3:9)

Don’t Pass Up This Gift of GRACE from ALMIGHTY GOD!

God tells us He tarries long in His return so that EVERYONE has AMPLE opportunity to repent & choose life. (2 Peter 3:9)

And because of this, not only did He tell us HOW NOT to go to Hell (follow His laws explicitly—but every single person has failed this), but HE BECAME the how.

He knew no matter how clear He was about His law, no matter how many opportunities & second chances, or how often He offered a way out… No matter how many times He rescued us & proved His love & faithfulness… we would STILL somehow choose US.

He knew, the ONLY way to rescue us, was for HIM to be our HOW.

He knew we would sin & would not be able to ever repay our debts to Him.

So HE paid our debts.

Jesus, God with Us, Came to Seek & to Save the Lost! (Luke 19:10)

He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to the earth. (John 3:15-16)

He was born of a virgin, a miraculous birth. (Isaiah 7:14)

He never sinned or made mistakes, a holy life. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

He taught, healed, comforted, & led people in love & Truth.

And then He allowed Himself to be captured, questioned, accused, rejected, abused, spat on, mocked, whipped, beaten, & hung on a cross, taking our sin burden/debt before God upon His own shoulders… & He died. (John 18-19)

For you. For me. For the WHOLE world.

HE paid our price so that we don’t have to… because we could never come close to repaying all we owe to this ALMIGHTY GOD.

Why Would Anyone Choose Hell Over a Good God?

So, when I hear that quote, “Why would a good God send anyone to Hell?”

… I think of the counter I saw posted once, “the real question, though, is this: why would anyone choose Hell over a good God?”

God is before time.

God made the world & everything in it.

God has ultimate power & ultimate authority in heaven & earth.

We choose ourselves & our way… we sin.

Our sin creates a debt owed that we could never pay back to ALMIGHTY GOD.

But GOD made a way possible, through Jesus’ willing sacrifice.

“Whosoever Believes on Jesus” (John 3:15-16)

And Jesus’ sacrifice did not end there, with death. No. He rose again, 3 days later, conquering in victory over sin AND death. (Matthew 28:1-8)

And God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son—Jesus Christ—that whosoever believes on HIM as their hope & redemption & payment of debt, will not perish in eternal death to hope, but shall live a life everlasting. (John 3:15-16)

Jesus tells us He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it, so that He may give life & give it more abundantly. (John 3:17; John 10:10)

You Have to Make a Choice

You can say all day long how you “want to believe, but you just don’t know how,” while still living for you… but the truth is… You have to make a choice. Are you willing that Jesus would save you?

So, please, PLEASE… don’t CHOOSE Hell, when God offers GRACE.

God doesn’t look down on you, thinking, “EXCEPT that one… not her!”

He looks in your heart, sees your despicable sin, & beckons with, “Jesus paid for that, too. Come home to Me, My beloved.”

Jesus Is the Way… The ONLY Way

Jesus is THE way. Jesus is THE Truth. Jesus is THE life. (John 14:6)

NO ONE comes to the Father [God], EXCEPT through Him [believing on Jesus to cover your debt]. (John 14:6)

Whoever seeks to find life their way will lose it, but whoever gives up that self-seeking pursuit for Jesus, will find the life they seek. (Luke 17:33)

Shine HOPE by SHARING hope.

JESUS is the HOPE of the World!

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (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!!

Radiant Necklace Set (Middle Style of 3 Shown) (India)

On-trend set of 3 layered necklaces (only 1 style shown) that can be worn together or separately, featuring a labradorite stone, hammered discs, and a blue topaz crystal drop.

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

Purchase this set & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Truth Over Culture

We need to step out & be a little counter-culture here today. We need to recognize that just because something is permeating culture–no matter how “church-y” it may sound–it doesn’t make it true.

Have you ever heard someone quote the saying, “God would never ask you to do something unless He knew you could do it” or maybe “God asked you to do it because He knew you could do it”?

While well-meaning, these statements couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s talk about it.

“My Grace Is Sufficient”

Even in dealing with a thorn in one’s side that you can’t seem to get rid of, as in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, God asks us to do & face things all the time that we cannot possibly do… without Him.

And even things we THINK we can do just fine, are usually not done to their potential because we’re trying to do it withOUT Him… in our OWN strength or our OWN wisdom.

He wants us to recognize His help in our lives. He wants us to see our real need of Him.

And when we face seemingly impossible things, we are often forced to reckon with the fact that we CAN’T… & we’re given a beautiful opportunity to see His CAN.

When we stop relying on ourselves & our abilities, we see how much greater He is than us… How infinitely capable, even of the “impossible.”

God Knows That HE Is Able

The God-asked-you-to-do-it-because-He-knew-you-were-able lie is so prevalent on social media, seeing it on cute graphics shared even by Christian sources & can sometimes be heard in churches because it SOUNDS so true, but the important distinction to be made here is this:

God asked you to do it because He knew HE was able, NOT because you are.

We need to stop basing our lives on what we are capable of & begin framing everything around that of which HE is capable.

When I Face a Dead-End in His Lead… He Has a Plan

For example, I had no experience designing a website before this blog came to be, but I felt God’s nudge in this direction, & so I prayed & asked Him to provide the guidance & help I would need to follow His lead. And soon after, I came across an ad for training for just such a thing & in a budget with which I was comfortable!

God knew I couldn’t—I had no experience, no know-how, no means of carrying out His plan… But because I knew He had asked it of me, I knew also that He had a plan in place to make it happen.

Avoiding God’s Lead Because I Am Not Able

Another example… I have been avoiding helping with childcare at our church. First, it was because the monthly disappointment of no pregnancy, after months of working with a doctor toward that goal, was still fresh in my heart & working with others’ children felt like fresh jabs at still-healing wounds… but then it just got easy to avoid the uncomfortable… it became my cop-out.

I no longer felt the fresh sting of the childless hurt, but had grown so comfortable NOT having the task of childcare in my life… it almost became a “well, if I can’t have children, at least I don’t have to face any challenges of raising, teaching, or disciplining them (or changing diapers).”

Not having children became my excuse to not try intimidating-to-me tasks involving children.

Trusting God in My “But I’m Not Good At That….”

Mamas may not get this, but for me, I haven’t had to change a diaper in over 25 years maybe & have never had children of my own, so the idea of doing it for someone else’s kids just feels cringy & uncomfortable for me. I feel awkward. I feel out of place. I feel like passing the child onto the parent & saying, “it’s your kid, you do it.”

And when discipline becomes an issue, going from silly playtime to actually having to be the responsible-for-a-child adult, well, I freeze in very uncomfortable anxiety in my lack of experience with them.

But God has been nudging my heart, revealing this refusal-to-serve to me… showing me that I am hiding behind an excuse that no longer bothers me just to avoid doing something that is uncomfortable & awkward for me.

And He is asking me to trust Him in the gaps where I lack… To step out in faith that if He has asked it of me, He will also help me along the way as I ask for it.

Stop Avoiding the Hard… Stop Plowing through the Hard

I know maybe those may sound like silly, inconsequential examples in regards to your own life, but have you ever stopped to consider whether there is any area where you are digging in your heals because you think, “if I don’t feel capable of this, it must not be from God,” or maybe trying to plow through all of the discomfort, exhausting & straining yourself because you think, “God asked me to do it because He knows I am able”?

Let those thoughts go.

He DOES Ask Us to Do Things We CanNOT Do, Because He Knows HE Can

He does ask us to do things we feel are impossible for us.

He doesn’t ask us to do things just because He “knows we’re capable.”

He asks us because He knows NOTHING is impossible for HIM.

He asks us because He knows that HE is capable—even when we ourselves are lacking.

The God-Asked-You-to-Do-It-Because-He-Knew-You-Were-Able Lie

So, take a moment & ask God to show you where you may be sticking your palm to His face unknowingly because you feel incapable. And ask Him for help in trusting that HE is enough for any path down which He may lead.

Shine HOPE by doing as He leads, trusting that HE is ALWAYS able, EVEN when you’re NOT.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (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 Medallion Necklace

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

Every purchase provides fair-trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India.

How You Can Help:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Inaction Is Just As Much a Sin As Wrong Action

The Bible mentions 2 separate categories of sin in the Bible: 1. Grieving the Spirit (doing what we should not do) (Ephesians 4:30) & Quenching the Spirit (not doing what we should do) (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

For me, I find myself mainly focusing on what NOT to do & tend to “justify away” my inaction in various ways.

I often, (arrogantly, I might add), try to logic my way around what God directs me to do via His Holy Spirit. In other words, I feel His nudge on my heart & think my way out of doing it versus just trusting God knows what He’s doing better than I do–that is me quenching the Spirit.

When We Say “No” to God

Do you feel God nudging you to serve somewhere in church or your neighborhood, but the idea intimidates you & so you avoid it?

Do you feel God wants you to befriend someone, but you feel uncertain of how they might respond & your insecurity keeps you at a distance?

Do you feel God nudging you to share your testimony, but you’re afraid of judgement?

I could go on & on with examples similar to these that have halted me in my tracks, where I didn’t do what God asked of me because of fear, timidity, anxiety, insecurity, feeling insufficient, etc.

These, as I understand it, are exampled of me quenching the Spirit of God, as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:19—“Do not quench the Spirit.”

Wrapped in Excuses

There is a similar, yet different command in the Bible, found in Ephesians 4:30, commanding us against GRIEVING the Spirit. This command is something I find myself talking about more often, because it is the command to AVOID doing what God says to AVOID doing, plain & simple (yet, often not simple to accomplish).

But QUENCHING the Spirit is much more subtle. Sometimes God’s leadings are not expressly mentioned in the Bible, but rather are nudges from the Holy Spirit. And usually, it can completely go against logic or human wisdom, making it easier to find loopholes & avoid altogether, wrapped up in words like: insecurity, anxiety, feeling unsure of what to do or say, recognizing a personal weakness we feel prevents our ability to do it, etc.

But our weaknesses can never thwart God’s plan (Ephesians 3:20-21). He enables us where we lack (1 Corinthians 12:9-10).

The Holy Spirit Has Been Sent As Our Help

God promised to send us the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17), upon Jesus’ resurrection from the cross & into Heaven on His throne. The Holy Spirit convicts us to avoid doing those things God tells us not to do.

But the Holy Spirit also leads. He directs & guides us, especially as we pray for God’s wisdom & direction in a specific area–It’s just not always so easy to follow His lead–especially when His lead doesn’t seem to make sense to us.

God’s Nudges

Since I had been a Christian since I was 5, I have had the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life from a very young age, although I didn’t always recognize His nudges as from Him until my discernment & understanding grew as I grew closer to God.

Because of the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life, I would feel nudges to or away from things sometimes, creating an opportunity for me to choose my way or His way.

I Didn’t Listen

When I fell in love in my early twenties, the Holy Spirit gave me such a nudge after I prayed about the future of the relationship.

I was so sure I would marry that guy because of how much I cared for Him, but God kept nudging me to obey His lead & walk away–that God had a different path for me & him.

Well, I chose not to. I kept fighting it. I was sure maybe those nudges just meant “not right now,” so I kept holding on. I dragged this guy I cared about through the mud in the process because I refused to trust God’s lead.

That was me quenching the Spirit.

God Knows What He’s Doing Better Than We Do

I had asked for God’s guidance & when His answer didn’t match the one I desired, I ignored Him & pushed through, hurting myself & the person I so cared about along the way.

That guy was not a part of God’s future for me, & I was not a part of his. But I didn’t want to listen & we both paid the price for my stubborn refusal to follow God’s will.

I shared my story once before about my “first love”–read about it , here.

My Temper Tantrum

Another example came more recently. My husband asked if I wanted to eat out at a favorite restaurant—I am a SUCKER for eating out & immediately & excitedly agreed.

But, the back story to this is how I had recently discovered my addiction to eating out that God had been convicting me of in a new awareness of my problem.

I immediately felt God’s nudge on my heart to choose eating healthy leftovers at home versus going out.

Rearing up, I felt defensive & angry: “Great. Now You have brought this to my attention & does that mean I can NEVER have fun ever again by eating out?! I want to go out after a long day & enjoy a night out with my husband. Is that so bad?! Why are you guilting me & keeping me from having any fun!? Is this what I have to look forward to from now on?!” –I know… real mature temper tantrum, huh?

Humility Check–God Is Always Looking Out for Our Best

So, I stuffed His nudge deep down & determined it was no big deal & that this was “just this once more,” as I got dressed & ready to go out.

But something happened. For some odd reason-that was never explained-whether from a neighbor’s bbq or who knows… I smelled smoke.

And as soon as the smell hit my nose, I got a flash in my head (like seeing my life flash before my eyes) of my house on fire, with my kitty trapped inside… & my heart dropped.

I got it. I instantly understood the message… & I instantly saw how arrogant & untrusting I had been.

I had been fussing, whining, complaining, accusing God of trying to take all my fun away, but in that split second, I was humbled by the Truth: God NEVER tells me (or you) something that is not EXPRESSLY for my GOOD. EVER.

God Looks Out for Us

And while I complain about God’s so-called strict, fun-zapping, dictator-like control, God reminded me in that moment of His LOVE. He wasn’t trying to ruin my life by asking me to stay home… He was trying to lovingly protect me from myself & my addiction.

After remorseful, embarrassed, humbled tears, I shook my head & whispered in my heart, “God, I am SO sorry. I was so unkind & unfair to You. You know everything & I don’t. You know exactly what I need & I don’t (even though I often feel strongly that I do). Please forgive me for my arrogance. Forgive me for not trusting Your Goodness & Your love for me. Please, show me… was this scenario designed to teach me a lesson? Or do you really ask me to stay home tonight? I’ll do whatever You ask now. Thank You for guiding me even when I am rude to You. Thank You for Your persistent, faithful goodness. Thank You. AMEN.”

What Does It Mean to “Quench the Spirit”? Is It Sin?

So what does it mean to “quench the Spirit”? Is it sin? It means not trusting God’s leading & trusting our own logic or wisdom above His. And yes, it is a sin.

It may be scary. It may seem, in the moment, to be restrictive. It may make you feel insecure or insufficient for the task. But whatever God asks of you… DO IT. Do it & trust that HE can fill where you lack.

Hard doesn’t equal bad. Hard means we get to step back & watch Him work.

Trust God’s lead & follow it.

Trust Him to Help You Grow in This Area As You PRAY

And if you struggle here, as I so obviously do… PRAY about it. Ask God to help you see WHEN you’re doing it & to remind you to SEEK HIM for HELP when you would rather avoid.

Determine to obey anyway. Determine to trust His help. And do it.

I often don’t trust God’s plan & His lead, & as a result, my path is much more painful than God ever intended it to be… & yet still, every day in small ways, I ignore His little prompts as I run on autopilot through my routine. This should not be.

Ask God to wake you up. Ask Him to show you how to know it’s Him, to recognize His still, soft voice on your heart. Ask Him to help you relinquish what you THINK you know, for what He DOES know.

Shine hope—don’t quench the Spirit.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (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!!

Long Chain Necklace (Silver-toned) (India)

Love long chain necklaces? This is the necklace for you! This silver-tone link-chain design is handcrafted in India & is totally on-trend! Wear alone, double up, or layer together with other chain necklaces from our One World Collection, like our Long Chain Necklace – Gold.

Every purchase provides fair trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India.

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

Purchase this necklace & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Self-Surrender Vs. Self-Empowerment

Last week, I talked about our need to urge self-surrender over self-empowerment.

In other words, the reminder that we don’t need to convince ourselves “we are enough” but that despite NOT being enough, God IS & He loves us AS IS.

This idea that to accomplish more of what matters in this life—God’s will & purposes—we need to surrender more of ourselves to HIS “enoughness,” rather than convincing ourselves &/or each other that WE are capable & enough.

The Dangers of Trusting God’s SOLUTIONS More Than We Trust GOD

I like to feel in control… In control of my own happiness, comfort, & life. I want to know I can rely on things working out my way & be able to grasp some means of making that happen predictably.

But God calls me to rely on Him & not on myself… to build my house on Him—our Rock—by walking in obedience & reliance on Him, rather than the sands of unreliable crutches/strongholds that I tend to cling to. (Matthew 7:24-27)

This flows into another topic worth discussing: The dangers of trusting God’s SOLUTIONS more than we trust GOD.

Do I Continue to Turn to Him As My Help?

Have you ever had God answer a prayer so clearly that you could not question it was from Him? And what happens when we get that answer from God? Do we continue to go to Him as our source in every circumstance? Or do we begin to place our hope in that answer?

For example, as I have mentioned recently, when God told Naaman, through the prophet Elisha, to go wash in the Jordan, in 2 Kings 5:10, was the power in that specific body of water? Or was the power in Naaman’s obedience to God?

Or, when Jesus instructed the disciples to catch a fish, find a coin in its mouth, & use that coin to pay their taxes, in Matthew 17:24-27, was the power in that specific type of fish? Or was it in their obedience to Jesus?

Those may sound like silly examples & maybe you’re thinking, “Duh, it’s God. The power is from God,” but how quickly I disprove this supposed trust when I am faced with similar situations.

How Deep Does My Trust in God Really Go?

Lately, I have been working on body stewardship—of not abusing, but rather learning to care for, the body God has made for me.

Well, when we lived in Guam, I used to create my own fitness challenges, with prizes, to help me stay on track & motivate myself forward in better caring for my health–& it worked!

Fast forward over 6 years later, in trying to get back those good habits that I abandoned during a great time of stress for me, & what did I go to as my solution? Those fitness challenges.

It’s not that anything is wrong with those fitness challenges, but that they were what I turned to in my struggle to re-form good habits in my life… versus going to God for His wisdom, guidance, & help.

Did God provide the idea for those fitness challenges back on Guam, to help me overcome some personal hurdles? I believe so, yes. But they were not the source of my help–HE was.

My Resources to You Are Not to Trump PRAYER to GOD for HIS Solution for You

This is why I stress in whatever resources I provide for you—no matter how much they have helped me personally—your ultimate resource is PRAYER.

Maybe my resources can offer help & maybe God will use them to help you overcome a hurdle, just as He used them in my life to do the same… But maybe God knows you need something else instead.

God knows your situation better than I do. God knows your reasons for hesitation, resistance, anxiety, etc. specifically. He also knows what will help your personal hang-ups specifically.

No matter how good a resource & no matter how much it has helped others, the fact remains that ONLY GOD KNOWS what exactly you need.

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

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

What or who do you look to for your help? Do you look to your wits or charm? Your “wisdom” or logic? Past successes? The support of others? Your bank account?

Where does YOUR help come from? Where do you look for it?

Shine HOPE by demonstrating that our help is not in past successes, but in relying on & leaning into GOD as our help… by inquiring of Him EVERY time versus assuming we know what’s best… by walking in obedience to HIS lead over our logic. Shine HOPE by always turning to Him in ALL things Big OR Small.

“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, & He shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6) (emphasis mine)

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (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!!

Zoya Earrings (India)

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

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

Purchase these earrings & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

It’s Not Always Best to “Go with the Flow”

I have found that this topic is not a popular one. I can almost see hair bristling when I talk about it. And that reaction has been my own as well.

Who doesn’t like to feel they have some manner of control in their life?

I’ve talked about this topic before, in “The Tale of Two Cakes,” (that post being from the perspective of how we decide to encourage others–toward self or God), but it’s a concern I see slowly seeping into mainstream Western Christianity, so I feel compelled to revisit this topic, in hopes that you & I both take it to heart.

We need to discuss the very important distinction between self-empowerment & self-surrender.

I Want to Feel in Control of Things

There are so many areas of life, where I mess up regularly, that stem from this innate need I feel to have some control over my own life.

This need manifests itself in many ways, from eating out to soothe anxiety, to questioning God’s direction in my life by testing out my way 700 times first.

I want a say. I want to try. I want to do it myself. (I sort of sound like the typical toddler, don’t I?) But if you evaluated your own life, could you detect this same inner voice? Maybe sugar-coated & justified, but with the same telltale undertones ringing true of your personal need for control?

It’s Even Being Taught by Well-Meaning Christian Leadership

Sadly, this message of SELF-empowerment is spreading like wildfire in many Christian circles—even Christian conferences & sermons.

How can WE get OUR life back on track? How can WE get the most out of OUR life? How can WE feel good?

But the joy (& peace) is not in having more or accomplishing more, but in surrendering more. It’s not in having more control, but by giving Him more control.

The more that we look up & say, “God, I am sorry for clinging to or coveting such-&-such. Help me know how to find that joy in YOU,” the more we actually find what we’re looking for.

I feel saddened by Christian mantras that echo self-empowerment sentiments of “YOU’ve got this!” “YOU’re ENOUGH!” “YOU can handle it!”

Because, the truth is, you don’t, you’re not, & you can’t.

You Were Designed to NEED HIM

You’re not meant to be self-capable, self-sufficient, or self-empowered.

You were designed to NEED HIM.

And until we figure that out & live like that is true, because it is, then we will always feel like we, compared to everyone else around us, just can’t seem to get a handle on things.

You don’t need to believe that you’ve got this. You need to recognize that HE DOES.

You don’t need to be told you’re enough. You need to realize that HE IS.

You don’t need to think that you can handle it. You need to see that HE CAN.

We need to learn how to surrender more. To take our “I can’ts” to His throne & say, “God, be my enough. Supply my needs. Direct me. Guide me. Show me how to obey You & to honor You & to please You with my everything. Make me decrease so You may increase.” (John 3:30-36)

This life is not about a rat race of trying to feel capable & strong & get the most out of it. It’s about learning more & more that His plans are higher & better than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) & that He can enable us in our MANY weaknesses every step along the way.

By Him. For Him. Through Him. (Romans 11:36)

What Do You Cling to for Control That You Need to Entrust to Him?

I am convicted of how little I am willing to give up control in my own life… I love feeling self-capable & self-empowered more than most anything.

I give, but only from excess or leftovers: time, resources, money.

I help, but only if/when it’s convenient/comfortable.

I edify intentionally & am friendly, but only if I feel it will be received well.

I support others, but only if there’s little cost to me & I can “protect my mental health” (aka feel no stress from it).

I sacrifice, but only if I can see the reward.

I obey, but often only if I can see the benefit of it up front.

This should not be! I NEED to SURRENDER MORE to Him. I need to trust His work & His Truth & His sufficiency more than my own!

I am not enough. I am weak to temptations. I am selfish. I am prideful. I am prone to wander. I am prone to choose ME. I am disobedient in my inaction & sometimes in my actions. I am too me-focused in life–MY comfort, ME well-being, MY desires, MY needs, MY wants, MY plans, MY control.

God Says…. We Ought to Trust HIS Way

God says when someone demands your tunic, give them also your cloak. (Luke 6:27-36)

God says when someone demands you go a mile, go with them two.

God says that Whatever we do to the least of these, we do also to Him. And whatever we don’t do, we also don’t do to Him. (Matthew 25:31-46)

God says to test Him with our giving sacrificially, that all things come from Him & we can trust Him to provide as we provide for others. (Malachi 3:10)

God says that in all our ways we ought to acknowledge Him (not OUR wants/needs/perception/logic) & He will make our paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-7)

God says that in our weaknesses, that is when His power is made known to us & we realize it really is enough for us. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Self-Surrender.

Self-Empowerment or Self-Surrender?

The more you give for Him, the more you seem to gain. It’s never not worth it.

Shine HOPE—Instead of seeking to feel more capable, strong, & worthy… seek HIM.

Self-Empowerment or Self-Surrender—which will you choose?

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (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!!

Long Chain Necklace (Golden) (India)

Love long chain necklaces? This is the necklace for you! This gold-tone link-chain design is handcrafted in India & is totally on-trend! Wear alone, double up, or layer together with other chain necklaces from our One World Collection, like our Long Chain Necklace – Silver. (Shown with the Darling Charms Set.)

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

Purchase this necklace & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

My Prone-to-Rebellion Heart

I have been honest lately about specific sin areas that I wrestle with, & while I have seen God move mountains from where I once was, I still have so much work to do on my stubborn, prone-to-rebellion heart.

It’s not that I don’t want to please God, but I oftentimes want both—to find a way to please Him AND still have what I want.

Like with lust, as I talked about in “Lust, the Secret Sin”, I look for loopholes where I can “technically” still obey, but still indulge in what I want. I justify & try to fool myself & others until I can keep my façade that I don’t mean to be a façade.

My heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), as the Bible says, & I am pretty good at fooling even myself when I want to. But the Bible, God, also says that my heart is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), as is true for every other human being.

Paul even laments this in saying that he does what he does not want to do & doesn’t do what he wants to do. (Romans 7:15)

Our lustful flesh is constantly tugging at us to just take a bite & all will be well. And I am no exception with this pull.

Getting My Way (Over God’s) Never Pays Off

Satan’s tactics haven’t changed much since his, “but did God reaaally say that?” (Genesis 3:1) Satan still does this to us every day, creeping in little doubts & little, “but maybe you should try YOUR way… just in case God is wrong this time.”

But God is NEVER wrong, is He?

And I know this. I have seen it firsthand, in my life. I have seen me wrestle & “win,” getting my way & then seeing all the cards inevitably fall. My way never works & then His way always does.

But still I resist. STILL.

So Defeating… & Yet, Met with So Much Grace upon GRACE

If you are feeling beat up by Satan for making the same bad choice or disobeying God the same way for the hundredth time & Satan is whispering to you that you must not be a Christian, you must be lying to yourself, & not to come crawling back to God AGAIN… I get it, I REALLY get it.

Satan is very good at deception & lies… in fact, God, in the Bible, describes him as “the father of lies.” (John 8:44) His whole business is lying to us… & seeking whom he may devour, kill, & destroy (1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10) . And he is good at it.

But God is bigger still.

God’s Grace ABOUNDS

There’s a little nugget of Truth God has been reminding me of lately—besides the story of the prodigal son’s return (Luke 15:11-31), where the son was rehearsing his speech after all his wrongs against his father, but he could barely get a word out before the grand, warm, happiest of welcome homes by his father—but besides that story, is the little nugget where Paul is talking about how awesome God’s grace is, how much we NEED it & how powerful & all-covering it really is, before saying, “but does that mean we should let sin abound because God’s grace abounds? Certainly not!” (Romans 5:1-6:2; 2 Corinthians 9:8)

But read that again. “Because God’s grace ABOUNDS.”

And again, “WHILE we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (emphasis mine-Romans 5:8)

In other words, it’s not based on my goodness or willpower of lack of mistakes… my standing before God, once my faith is placed on Jesus, is based solely on my faith in HIS goodness, HIS obedience to God on the cross, HIS perfection & holiness! NOT mine.

Hallelujah! Praise God!

But Still… The Sin That So Easily Ensnares Me

But still….

The sin that so easily ensnares…. (Hebrews 12:1b-2)

I am so easily deceived. The lusts of my flesh still scream for attention sometimes, wanting what I know is not good for me… wanting what God commands me to avoid. (& if He commands ANYTHING, it’s because He knows better what will damage/harm me & what will bless/fulfill me. His Truth is the ONLY standard I can 100% rely on 100% of the time!)

But still….

The sin that so easily ensnares….

Why?

How Do I Move Forward When I Don’t Want To?

So, knowing all of this:

1. God is always right
2. God’s grace ABOUNDS, DESPITE my undeserving
3. My heart, in its lusts is deceitful & desperately wicked
4. Satan is always whispering doubts in God so I get ensnared by those lusts of the flesh
5. AND God can help me, where it is impossible for me, nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26; Ephesians 3:20-21)

But what do I do, knowing all of that, when I don’t WANT to change?

Asking Me to Give Up My Idol Feels Like a Threat…

I recently signed up for a new health program & I find myself stressed because I feel like the meal plan is asking me to give up my nonexistent firstborn child.

I have, with God’s unwavering support, guidance, & help, grown leaps & bounds from old me & old habits… I walk daily, make more well-rounded breakfasts every morning, cook a Whole30 Fast & Easy recipe every week (I LOVE their recipes & it focuses on whole, clean foods–it’s been a lifesaver of delicious, easy recipes that help me learn to eat better & enjoy it! (I don’t get commissions for advertising, I just really love it), etc….

BUT, I love to eat out. I love to treat myself with FOOD. When I am restless, stressed, bored, etc., I want food as my burst of joy. I turn to food as a dopamine fix to help me feel excited about my day. It makes me happy.

BUT, I turn to food to numb over hard things vs. turning to God for wisdom/direction in those moments.

I have made food an idol that I worship & adore, that I turn to in times of distress or anxiety, that I turn to to feel good & be excited for my day.

And asking me to give up eating out or eating whenever I feel like it… feels like a threat. I tense up & look for my loopholes to reassure me into staying just as I am.

Obeying in Part… Is Disobedience Still

But I had all the loopholes. I convinced myself that the SOME was good enough. SOME good habits, but keep some bad ones. Do SOME good for my body, while still getting to hurt it sometimes (too often).

I’m not saying I can’t ever enjoy food, but as my friend Jackie says, “God wants us to enjoy PURE pleasures—pleasures that don’t have negative side effects that hurt us.”

And eating out 5 times a week is not exactly a PURE pleasure. It has side effects on my insides: headaches, tummy aches, fatigue, etc. & indulging so often is definitely NOT a pure pleasure.

But I don’t want to change. I don’t want to give up my over-indulgences. I LIKE going to food when I am tired, sad, bored, restless, anxious, or as something to look forward to when out shopping or out on a date with my hubs or vacationing.

And telling me no feels like a threat to my happiness.

I feel like I don’t even want to pray about it because I don’t want to feel MORE like I should stop.

HOW to Move Forward When You Don’t Want To

So, here goes… How to move forward when you don’t want to:

Pray.

I know, I know… prayer does little without me being willing to ACT ON what God directs me to do.

But I need to repent. I need to be honest with myself AND with God. I need to be willing to accept that no matter how WELL I can justify it or sugar-coat it, I am abusing the body God made for me when I shut Him out & rebel.

I am dishonoring Him with my choices in how I treat His creation—ME.

I need to confess that to Him. I need to be willing to accept it as wrong, EVEN IF I have NO desire to do ANYTHING about it.

And then I need to ask for His help even in the WANT.

My Prayer in Stubbornness

“God, I am sorry I have mistreated Your creation—ME. I’m sorry that I abuse it in my abundance of wrong choices. I’m sorry I am so rebellious & stubborn & selfish, no matter the COST. Please forgive me. And forgive me for my attitude of rebellion, of not even wanting to change, KNOWING I need to. I have an addiction that feels impossible to break free from. I relied on food in Hokkaido in my darkest times because it was the ONLY thing about my life that made me feel any NORMALCY, but in that, I created a pattern, a harmful, destructive pattern, of turning to food over You. I’m sorry, LORD. Please forgive me for relying on my “need” for a fix more than on You. I’m sorry for how hard-headed I am, how much I resist Your good judgements. Forgive me. Please help change my heart. Renew me. Help me see that I can hand this addiction over to You. Help me see I can trust You with it. Help me let go. Guide me to learn PURE pleasures that honor You with how I treat my body AND are things I heartily enjoy. Thank You for starting that spark with the Whole30 Fast & Easy cookbook. Continue to work that out in me & change me. Make me want what You want for me. Help me let go of food & turn to You as my hope & joy instead. Help me know HOW. Thank You for Your ever-persistent faithfulness, love, & goodness… & GRACE that ABOUNDS… toward me. Thank You for never giving up on me… or on any of us. You are so patient & kind & gentle… & powerful to do the “impossible.” Thank You, Lord, forgive me… & help me. AMEN.”

It Feels IMPOSSIBLE, But WITH God, It Is NOT

“With man [humanity/willpower], it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful & just & will forgive us our sins & purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“Have no other ‘gods’ before Me.” (Exodus 20:3)

Shine HOPE, by not letting your deceitful heart rule your decisions, but rather the Truth of God, with His help every step of the way… even when you don’t want it.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (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 Medallion Necklace

This textured silver-tone chain from India can be worn separately or layered with other necklaces from our One World Collection. The uniquely textured pendant adds the perfect artistic touch. Three length options allow you to choose your comfort & style. Every purchase provides fair-trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India.

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

Purchase this necklace & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!