Big Feelings

Have you ever been made to feel like your emotions were a bad thing?

Have you ever felt the need to mask how you were feeling for fear of either burdening someone else, making them uncomfortable, or appearing weak & vulnerable & “lame”?

I have.

I am a girl who feels big. I laugh hard just as much as I cry hard.

The doctor called it a minor mood imbalance. I called it annoying.

Feeling Like Nobody Gets Me

You see, not everyone knows what to do with big emotions. Sometimes you notice them widen their eyes as if to say, “Woooow, okay then,” & other times you see them shifting in their seat, as if they are checking for the closest nearby exit.

And still other times, you will maybe have someone tell you to your face that your emotions stress them out or annoy them. (If this is you, as I have definitely wrestled this, when faced with a person whose emotions stress you out, take a moment to pray & ask God to help you know how to face their emotions in a way that is both loving to that person & also honoring to how God would wish you to respond to that person. God will help you as you lean into Him for help.)

Of course, there are still those people who feel right alongside me & make me feel super comfortable in my skin & if you’re one of those people in my life, I appreciate you so much!

Dancing the Dance

To be honest, this “feeling big” even created fears of long-term commitment, sure that someday my future husband would lose the rosy glasses & wake up to see just how annoying I can be. It was a real fear for me.

I have constantly lived the dance of either masking my highs & lows OR trying to overcompensate for them so I don’t lose my appeal in the eyes of others… which PROBABLY explains why I have the potential for great socially awkward moments—you’re welcome.

These big emotions are probably also why I am prone to depression as well as anxiety attacks, where I just shut down & want to avoid the overwhelming fears that threaten to overtake me completely.

God, Help Me Understand

And lately, after years & years of this dance of masking & overcompensating, I am learning to turn to God in this reality that I have so long considered my biggest weakness.

You see, when I feel big HAPPY emotions, I don’t regret it. I LOVE getting to look at the world with childlike wonder & thrill, soaking in the good moments & really getting to appreciate life in such a full, rich way. What a blessing!

BUT, the opposite, facing such big lows, has felt like the bane of my very existence.

Taking My Hurts to God

Recently, on one of my lows, I began praying & begging God to take away the great hurt in my heart that I couldn’t seem to even understand logically why it would be there.

My prayer was something like this:

“God, why? WHY!? Why do I have to feel so terrible sometimes when I shouldn’t even feel this upset? What is wrong with me? YES, I appreciate the highs & getting to just soak up life with joyful tears, swelling with contentment & peaceful happiness, but these lows are terrible! Why do I have to have them? Why did you make me like this? You must have had a reason. Please help me.”

A Gentle Reminder of a Beautiful Blessing

When I finished my plea & outpouring of my heart to God, I felt a gentle reminder wash over my heart that if I had not experienced those lows in my life, I would never have understood my great need for Him at a young age & I would have missed out on the great peace of learning that I have complete HOPE in Him through every situation in life, big or small.

God reminded me gently, in that quiet moment, that it was because of those lows that I have seen my need to draw close to Him & that I have experienced so much growth in my life as a result.

Wow. What a humbling reminder of a beautiful blessing sprouting from the deep & painful lows in my emotions.

Those Lows Drew Me Closer to Jesus

As you can probably guess, it’s hard having lows that seem to knock me off my feet, but WOW, when I think about ALL of the MANY times that those very lows have drawn me close into the arms of Jesus, allowing me to experience more fully His grace, strength, care, love, & gentle peace… I am left in humbled, grateful awe again of our great & loving God.

You see, my emotions aren’t a CURSE. They’re a GIFT.

Thank You, God

They’re His call to my heart that I need to come back to Him so I can more fully experience His great love & care for me.

They’re His sweet reminder that I am but a human, in need of her loving Creator.

They’re His means of growing my heart in assurance, peace, & strength as my heart learns ever more to lean into Him through all waves of life.

They’re a gift.

Emotions Aren’t Evil… They’re Human

Do I still struggle with vulnerability & thus also struggle trying to mask my emotions, making me socially awkward at times? Yes, yes I do.

Do I still wish for comfort & ease sometimes to replace my big emotions? Yes.

Emotions aren’t evil… they’re human.

Expressing Emotions to God & Remembering God in Them

I am reminded again of the Psalms.

My friend commented on Habakkuk & how rich a book it is, like Psalms but so much shorter & she wondered why more people weren’t talking about enjoying it as much as Psalms.

And it hit me. It’s because Psalms has SO MANY chapters of expressing grief, anxiety, loneliness, anger, fear, etc., with all of its BIG emotions, that I relate to it so well & cherish it so much.

And in them all, the author not only expresses the many emotions to God, but also remembers to praise Him, knowing God is above it all & will always have victory in His great love for us.

Learning to Let Others See Me

Now, when I see someone cry in a movie theater, I envy them & their courage to express the feelings they feel rather than feeling the need to keep them hidden inside & faced alone. I want to learn to have this type of courage of trusting others with my own vulnerability.

I am learning that emotions are okay. And they can be a strength as I turn them over to God & allow them to help me always point to my wonderful HOPE in Jesus.

“God, Thank You for Letting Me Be a Woman Who Feels So BIG”

So, as I grow in this acceptance & peace with my emotions, my prayers have shifted.

“God, thank You for letting me feel so big! For letting me see the world through childlike wonder, soaking up life splendidly. But also, thank You for those lows & how well they draw me into Your loving arms. Help me when my emotions threaten me to allow my heart to be real & vulnerable with others. But also, help me to recognize my own frail humanity in them & to remember how awesome & mighty You are in contrast. Help me to praise You in every storm, pointing others to You constantly as my one & only, true, lasting HOPE. Thank You, Lord for Your intelligent design & for ALWAYS having a plan, even when I can’t see it. Thank You for Your patience, gentleness, love & care. I love You. AMEN.”

Facing Big Emotions

Are you anything like me in this–facing big emotions? Have you always struggled with having them? If so, make an effort to turn to God in them & to recognize your own human frailty in contrast to His infinite power & love.

Ask God to help remind you to turn to Him whenever your emotions get “too big” & allow yourself room to feel those emotions as you lean into Him for support & care.

Shine HOPE. He’s got you, babe. He’s got you.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Onyx Necklace

Modern hammered brass necklace features 3 genuine onyx drops.

Artisan Information:

The poverty cycle in India continues primarily because of the lack of education. Most schools are not free or affordable. Therefore, many children never learn to read or write & grow up with limited opportunities. However, every purchase of this product empowers women to provide for their children & send them to school! You have the opportunity to end poverty & create an impact for generations to come!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in India!

How You Can Help:

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

A Peace That Doesn’t Make Sense

A life entrusted to God is full of so many things that don’t make any sense to the logical brain & yet, when tested, are found to be more true than anything we can logically understand.

One of those such things is PEACE.

A verse I have been clinging to lately is about God’s peace, which transcends human understanding.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) (Emphasis mine.)

Traveling During COVID

You see, I just returned from a 2-month trip stateside to visit family & friends, being careful to social distance every step of the way… But on our return trip, we were placed on a bus full of people that we were required to use in order to re-enter Japan & return home… a bus full of people who had just travelled.

And when I returned home, I noticed that I wasn’t feeling so well.

And, in a world turned upside down by a global pandemic, no one wants to notice themselves “not feeling so well.“

The Progression

I looked up symptoms of this dear covid-19 & realized I had many of them, but not all.

I wasn’t worried. I figured the temperature shock of returning home mixed with dehydration were the culprits. But underneath it all, I knew there could be another explanation for it… one that many around the world feared.

I shared my list of symptoms with my husband & just like that, with no last kiss, no last hug, & no final goodbyes of in-person closure, I was isolated from my best friend… just in case.

Laying on the couch, aches nagging at my body & chills forcing me to shiver despite my layers of warmth, alone & uncertain as to what lay ahead, my husband & I video chatted & decided to take our concerns to God for help.

Asking God for Help

“God, please help us know what to do. Please give us wisdom & peace. Bring healing, please God. … But God, I know it’s so easy to beg You to have everything go back to normal & to help me be comfortable again, but I know that’s not what I really need. I know I need to learn to trust You so that no matter what may come, I will be firm & steady with You as my Rock. That’s what I want, God. Help me trust You like that. Help me to know You’re enough when everything else is falling. And help give us peace. Please give us peace. Amen.”

You see, it was in that moment when we were lifting up our discomfort & budding fears to God that I realized my hope can’t rest in me being okay again… because that will only last until I am not okay next time. I needed something higher than comfort to rest on… SomeONE higher.

Inexplicable Peace

In that moment of shaking with chills, holding a mild fever, aching all over, tossing & turning in my sleep, unable to hold on to warmth… riddled with several other symptoms… I somehow had PEACE.

I felt held.

I felt like come what may, I would be quite okay.

I felt safe & cared for & loved.

I felt PEACE.

And that peace made no sense… it transcended & surpassed my human understanding, because to me, I thought I should be quite worried & concerned & lonely & sad & missing my husband so badly that I could barely stand it in going through all of this alone….

And yet… I felt PEACE.

Finding Comfort in the Uncomfortable

I wasn’t worried about having COVID or not having COVID. I knew that didn’t matter. Either I died & would be happy & whole & dancing in heaven as a result… or God would hold me through the storm.

I wasn’t worried about being alone because I felt held & loved & cared for in a way that didn’t make sense to me.

My good friend asked me what verse I was clinging to & I told her Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts & your minds in Christ Jesus.”

And I told her that when I had moments where I DIDN’T have that peace & the worry or sadness started to creep in & threaten that peace, that it was then I knew that I needed to go back to this verse & say, “God, I need more of Your peace. Help me trust You more than my circumstances or symptoms.”

IN the Uncomfortable… Not Necessarily Overcoming the Uncomfortable

Does this idea of peace in the struggle mean we will never struggle or that all struggle will be taken away when we ask God to do so? Heck no. Just read all the many PSALMS to see David pouring out his angst & sorrow & fears & anger.

There’s a song I heard ages ago that has always stuck with me in hard times, called “Sometimes He Calms the Storm, sung by Scott Krippayne, that touches on the idea that sometimes God calms the storm with a simple whisper of “peace, be still” & that God can settle any storm, but it doesn’t mean He will. But then the lyrics say something so beautiful & true, “Sometimes He calms the storm, & other times He calms His child.”

Emotions Aren’t Evil… They’re Human

Emotions aren’t evil… they’re human. Emotions are just how we process the world around us.

But just like David, we need to remember to take those fears, worries, stresses, anger, loneliness, etc. & ask God to help us through them. Ask for His peace & His victory.

We can always look to God for peace when peace seems impossible.

Not Out of the Woods

Although most of my symptoms have subsided, I realized today that I can’t smell 90% of what I tried to smell in our kitchen, including a ripe onion… & the worry flickered itself again in my heart.

And as I cried softly into my husband’s pillow, letting the worry take bite, I silently asked God to give me courage when I had none & to steady me as I faced uncertainty & to grant me His peace that surpasses my understanding.

My Hope Is in HIM

But then I remembered this post I was in the middle of writing & that with every new worry, every new fear, every new symptom… Even IN the storm… I can ask for God’s peace to carry me through it.

Is it always my first instinct to ask God for help? No. But it is always worth it when I remember to humble myself before my great & loving Almighty God & ask for Him to cover me with His strength in my weakness… to BE my strength when I have none.

Because when I entrust my life to God, there are many things about trusting His way that don’t make any sense to me, like how I can face such uncertainty & discomfort & worry & no cure… & realize that I can find peace… a finding of comfort in the midst of the uncomfortable.

A Peace That Transcends & Surpasses Our Human Understanding, Logic, & Reasoning

That is the beauty of entrusting your life to God… not that everything will turn out just the way you want (because it won’t) & not because nothing will go wrong (because we live in a fallen world & it will), but because when things don’t go your way & when things do go wrong, God is ENOUGH & He is in control & HE ALONE sits on the throne as Eternal, Almighty, Loving, All-Capable, All-Knowing, Infinite, Creator, One-Who-Has-the-Final-Say GOD.

His peace goes beyond ALL of our understanding… beyond all of our logic & reasoning… God’s peace remains.

A Peace That REMAINS

Don’t chase fleeting comforts.

Find sturdy comfort in the uncomfortable.

Find peace that surpasses your understanding… Because you don’t have to understand HOW you can possibly have peace to actually have peace.

You just have to know Who your peace comes from.

Shine HOPE by looking to God for your peace in all circumstances.

He’s got you, babe. He’s got you.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Eternal Pearl Set

Delicate freshwater pearls make each of these classic pieces perfect for every occasion.

Artisan Information:

In India, poverty is rampant & fair working conditions are hard to find. But with every purchase, women are receiving an income, access to healthcare, adult literacy programs, & self-help groups! Not only does this change their lives, but they are also pouring back into their communities & helping others! You have the opportunity to empower thousands of women 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!

Enjoying God Flows into Obedience

This topic about obedience flows nicely from our short 3-part series about “Enjoying God” that we just finished up… so let’s talk about why obedience is not a bad word.

Once you begin to see God’s loving, forgiving, & patient nature, you also begin to see how EVERY rule & command that God gives us is actually meant for our BENEFIT… & I mean EVERY one of them.

God Knows Everything… Literally

The reason we are called to obey God & are commanded so fiercely & repetitively to do so, is because God is our Sovereign, Eternal, & Almighty Creator God Who also happens to know literally EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING… & He happens to love us more than comprehension.

But It’s So Hard…!

The reason it is SO HARD to obey God is because since the eating from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good & evil back in the Garden of Eden, we all (to some degree) THINK we might possibly know better than Him, especially when what He tells us is the exact opposite of what we WANT to do. And, to top it off, OTHER PEOPLE are constantly making wrong choices due to this fact, making us think it’s up to us to regain the balance & fix things… As if God needs our help?

AND, as if obedience wasn’t hard enough because of our own perception & desires, God warns us that Satan is constantly on the prowl to whisper little doubts about God that convince us to follow our own whims & ways instead of God’s. We make the choice, but Satan is always looking for ways to give us that extra nudge to convince us toward our way & away from our hope found only in God.

Obedience Builds Trust

But, let’s circle it back to where this discussion began… Enjoying God.

Every little instruction, command, or rule that God gives is not only for our benefit, but is also designed & declared by our loving, all-knowing, sovereign, almighty, eternal GOD. Basically, He’s WORTH TRUSTING way more than the so-called “benefits” of trusting ourselves.

And that is a huge reason why obedience is not a bad word.

His Words Aren’t His “Version” of Truth… His Words DEFINE TRUTH

Another thing to consider is that His commands are not His opinions & are less like power hungry commands & more like the Law of Gravity. It just IS. His laws just ARE.

It’s not a debatable, maybe-I-know-better type law from a fallible leader, but coming from an All-Knowing, Eternal, Almighty, Sovereign, Creator God.

His laws & commands aren’t just rules… they are indicative of what just IS.

And that’s why it’s best to obey & to trust & to live those laws of His, because when we do, life somehow, against all our human judgement & intelligence & understanding, His laws ALWAYS just seems to work out infinitely better than our ways.

Because His Words just ARE.

They aren’t just His determination of truth… His Words DEFINE TRUTH.

We Need His Help & He Gives It

So, what do we do when we REALLY want to do our way? When we think that THIS TIME we REALLY think that we’re right instead of God? When Satan’s whispers are SO TEMPTING that we want to go right through with what WE WANT?

Tell God all about it. Slump “at His feet” if you need to. Tell Him your inward battles. Tell Him how much you don’t want to trust Him. Tell Him how you really REALLY just want to do it your way. Tell Him you need His help to trust Him more than you trust yourself. And ask for His help!

Those are all things I have learned that I need to tell God… even if reluctantly at first. Usually it starts with a deep sigh, fighting every ounce of me that want to do it my way & I just start by being honest with God.

Getting Real with God

Usually, my prayers around obedience sound something like this:

“God, *SIGH*. I REALLY REALLY REEEAAAALLLLY think that I would rather do this than that. I don’t think You’re right & I am sorry for that, but I just really want this way. HELP ME. Help me trust You because right now I really don’t want to. Please. I want my way in this because Your way seems way too hard & I just feel anxious & I just want my way because it feels easier right now. Help me, please! I know deep down that You MUST know better than me because You are God & I am not, but I want my way, so please help me to trust You & do it Your way instead. Help me come off my own pedestal in all my limitations to put You back up there where You belong. Please help me because it seems impossible to do it Your way right now. Please help me trust You more with all Your great love for me & help me accomplish Your way… Give me what I need: the courage & strength & confidence, to do what You say I should do. Thank You for always listening to my cries in all my weak moments & for helping me every step as I lean into You. Amen.”

It’s Okay to Struggle with It… But Take That Struggle to God for HELP

It’s okay to have a hard time trusting God & it’s okay to admit that to Him & to ask for His help to trust Him when it’s hard.

But let me reassure you that obedience, when it comes to God’s commands & rules, is NEVER a bad word, as they are ALWAYS designed & declared & commanded of us for OUR BENEFIT.

Lord, Help us to trust You & obey You & to ask for Your help in the many times where that just seems impossible. Thank You for Your faithful help & care for us!! AMEN!

Shine HOPE by trusting God & OBEYING HIM. He’s GOT YOU, babe.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Eternal Pearl Set

Delicate freshwater pearls make each of these classic pieces perfect for every occasion.

Artisan Information:

In India, poverty is rampant & fair working conditions are hard to find. But with every purchase, women are receiving an income, access to healthcare, adult literacy programs, & self-help groups! Not only does this change their lives, but they are also pouring back into their communities & helping others! You have the opportunity to empower thousands of women 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!

Why Enjoying God Matters

As promised, I wanted to revisit this idea of “Enjoying God.”

Last week, I shared how unusual a concept it always was for me to “enjoy God.” I had always heard other words lumped with God… like, “obey God.”

And while obeying God is very important (& VALUABLE to us), if we neglect the idea of ENJOYING God while instructing others to obey God, we are missing a huge chunk of the WHY we obey God… not that we obey Him to get what we want from Him, but that His commands are always meant to benefit us & that’s why He instructs us in the ways that He does.

Way Beyond the Practical

So, today I want to revisit this concept that we dove into a couple weeks ago, where I shared about the many ways God reveals His love to us in the world around us aka His creation.

God lavishes on us in so many unnecessary ways, ways that go way beyond the practical. For example, He didn’t just create one type of plant, in one shape & color & size for the purpose of providing oxygen to us, but MANY types of plants in MANY shapes & MANY colors & MANY sizes. (& even different scents!) And that’s just the plants!

All we have to do is look up to see the sky in all its many beautiful colors & always-changing designs, to see how God goes above & beyond the practical to reveal His love for us.

God WANTS us to enjoy His many blessings that He has made for us!

He Makes It Personal

But today, I want to talk about something that isn’t just about enjoying God through the beauty & wonder of His creation, but enjoying God on a much deeper level–a personal level.

He knows you… & I mean KNOWS you. He created you & knows every little thing there IS to know about you… even the subconscious things you can’t or won’t admit to yourself whether you are unaware or are hiding from scars. He KNOWS you… And He LOVES you.

He loves you so much that although He knew you would rebel against Him & go your own way (even when we do day-to-day thinking we’re good enough on our own), He planned a way to redemption through His Son Jesus & He made you anyway, even with such a high price to win you back. He LOVES you.

And He WANTS you to ENJOY that great & faithful & gracious & WONDERFUL love that He has for you! So let’s talk about it.

Sit, Walk, Stand… Let’s Sit First

If you finish this blog post & think, “I want MORE of this topic,” please check out the short book, “Sit, Walk, Stand,” by Watchman Nee, which you can find on Amazon (for about $6 at the time of me writing this post.) I found it easy to read & super encouraging/informative. Check it out!

In his book, Nee mentioned that when we turn to Jesus & submit our brokenness to Him & ask Jesus to save us from our sins, accepting His loving & powerful payment on our behalf… when we start submitting our life to Jesus Christ & God’s way, it doesn’t start with a big DO, but with a big DONE.

Were You There? Were You Able? … But, GOD

Were you there when God created everything? Nope. (God took care of it all for us. Ask Job, who was asked this by God in Job, chapter 38)

Were you able to save yourself & make yourself right before God? Nope. (But Jesus offered His life for US! Read Romans 5, focusing on verse 8, for some WONDERFUL encouragement!)

Is your life of following God up to your own strength, efforts, goodness, wisdom, power, etc.? Nope. (You don’t become God when you accept Jesus’ gift of reconciliation with God… you’re still just human, BUT you have FULL access to God & all of His resources to help you as you lean on Him for HELP. Read 2 Peter 1, focusing on verse 3.)

Our life as a Christian, abiding in Jesus, doesn’t start with a big DO, but with a big DONE.

Even God’s COMMANDS Are For Our GOOD

Does this mean we have zero responsibility? Nope. But it DOES mean that God helps us with HIS power through EVERY responsibility we have AND every responsibility we have is ALSO FOR OUR GOOD.

God doesn’t arbitrarily give us instructions & commands to assert power & authority over us or to have us PROVE our faith… NO. He gives these instructions & commands because He knows it will benefit us &/or protect us from so many lasting & unnecessary hurts, most of which we don’t even realize we’re succumbing to on this earth because it quite honestly just seems like the norm.

Let Him Handle the Rest

It’s not up to you to SAVE the world. You can’t.

It’s not up to you to CONVINCE the world of the Truth. You can’t.

It’s not up to you to do ALL the things. You can’t.

It IS up to you to walk on the path that God illuminates for you as you learn to trust & love Him more, letting Him take the lead, letting Him provide you with what you need to accomplish the tasks He sets before you, AND letting Him handle the rest.

That’s where the SIT part comes in as the starting point in Watchman Nee’s book that I mentioned above… You SIT in a KNOWING that it’s not up to you, but Him. That He starts you out with a giant DONE, versus a giant DO.

Let Me Set the Record Straight

If you browse my website or read my blog posts or watch my Facebook LIVEs or enjoy my weekly emails & think to yourself, “well, of course SHE does this stuff because SHE seems to have bigger faith than me… or more wisdom… or more self-discipline… or less of a past… or less trauma… or whatever it is.… Let me set the record straight for you RIGHT NOW.

I AM JUST A PERSON. I am weak. I am generally lazy & a procrastinator. I worry WAY TOO MUCH. I stress out. I try to self-solve, self-soothe, & self-shield until every effort of mine has failed BEFORE I weakly cry out to God for help. I tend to pray for comfort versus courage. I trust myself more than I trust the God who made me. I want to quit whenever I get a single criticism. I am insecure. I struggle with image issues. I have trauma I wrestle with sometimes. I AM JUST A PERSON.

ENJOY GOD

God wants us to SIT in KNOWING that our success or effectiveness or courage DO NOT come from US, but as a RESULT of trusting HIM. He wants us to find rest & peace & JOY in trusting that He’s got it covered & that if we JUST show up with a willing heart to honor Him, He will take care of the rest as we lean into Him for it!

Trust God! He’s Got You!

I literally whine, mope, beg to avoid, want easy, crave comfort, feel stubborn & obstinate, but then I beg God, “God, You are so much bigger than all my reasons not to. And although I am just a weak human, You are NOT. So, help me. Be what I need to fill in my gaps. Help me be faithful when I want to quit. Help me allow my vulnerabilities & insecurities & failures & weaknesses be opportunities to show others that even in the many ways that I CAN’T, YOU CAN. Help me to show up. Help me to trust You enough to SHOW UP. And work through me. Use my life to bring others to the hope we can only find in You. Help me in my own weakness to be a vessel for Your grace. Thank You that You are ALWAYS, 100% ENOUGH. And help me. Please. Amen.”

Unwilling, But Willing to Ask God to Change My Opinion

And sometimes, guess what… my prayers sound more like this, “God, I don’t want to. Please don’t make me do this. I am too SHY! I am too worried I won’t be able to do this! I don’t want to set myself up for criticism! I just want to be invisible. Please let me be invisible…………….. SIGH. But… God… I do know that MAYBE You can help me & that MAYBE You know better than me & know what’s best for me & can handle all my mess. So……. Can You help me be willing to trust You? I don’t know if I can in this. I want to run from it, not stand in faith. I don’t have enough faith. So…… maybe if You help me? Please help me be willing to trust You & ask for Your help versus running & hiding. Help me trust You… PLEASE. Amen.”

Because it’s not about how big your faith is, but how big your GOD IS.

Take your weaknesses, insecurities, vulnerabilities, AND UNWILLINGNESS to Him & ask for His help through it.

Enjoying God, Part 2

You see, God didn’t stop at helping us enjoy Him with the BEAUTY & WONDER of nature & His creation…. He cares about that heart of yours on a MUCH deeper level, Beautiful.

He created you. He knit you together. He planned for Jesus to rescue you before you even had a chance to wrong Him. He knows your every thought & He loves you more than anyone EVER could.

And He starts your journey of following after & abiding in Him with a giant DONE.

Learn to ENJOY God & All That He Willingly Offers to You If You But ASK

Our “job” is to learn to enjoy Him… To sit in wonder of His great love… To praise Him for His beautiful creation… To give Him GLORY & point to Him in ALL things because we know He offers that same HOPE of grace to EVERY SINGLE PERSON who is willing to run to Him… & to realize that because He loves us so BIG, we can trust Him in EVERYTHING & turn to Him in, through, & for EVERYTHING…. And because we trust Him & all He has DONE & will do, we obey… with His help.

That is how we can ENJOY Him. That is how we can SIT, as Nee’s book says. And after we SIT there, that is how we can WALK with His help & also STAND in His strength.

ASK HIM. Please, Ask Him.

If you struggle knowing how you could possibly have that kind of rest & peace, start there & ask God to help you see His perspective, because He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or even IMAGINE. (Ephesians 3, focusing on verse 20)

So, ask Him. And enjoy Him. And trust Him.

Shine Hope by enjoying all God has DONE & by enjoying God’s lavished LOVE & GRACE & MERCY on ALL who put their hope & trust in Him.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Radiant Necklace SET

On-trend set of 3 layered necklaces (Only ONE of 3 shown in photo) that can be worn together or separately, featuring one necklace with a labradorite stone, one with hammered discs, & one with a blue topaz crystal drop.

Artisan Information:

In India, poverty is rampant & fair working conditions are hard to find. Every purchase provides women with income, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members. Many of these artisans have been exploited by sweatshops in the past but are now receiving fair wages as artisans in safe & caring fair-trade workshops.

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in India!

How You Can Help:

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

My Misunderstandings About God

Now this isn’t a topic I ever thought I would write about.

I grew up believing God to be all about rules. I felt pressured to be perfect… pressured to be more than I felt I could live up to. Following God for me was laced in the guilt & shame of never quite feeling like I measured up to His standards.

I thought you live, trying to do your best to live by all the rules (strained, tired, guilt-ridden, just doing your best to make God happy), & then you die & get to go to Heaven (if you trusted Jesus to save you versus yourself).

And reading verses in the Bible where Jesus is quoted as saying, “I have come to give life & to give it abundantly,” well, I just didn’t understand how that kind of life could be considered “abundant.” (John 10:10) (… Unless I clenched my jaw, forced a smile, & said, “of course it’s abundant life because God said it was!” while trying to force reasons to support that claim.)

God Knows Better

But, as in all things where God says one thing while I believe another, I have learned that instead of taking my personal perspective as TRUTH (which is usually my go-to response), I instead need to ask God for HIS PERSPECTIVE to help me shift how mine differs from His Word (the Bible)—Starting from a place of, “Well, God is GOD & I am just a person, so maybe He might be more right than I am… no matter how right I feel I am.”

So, this has been a journey of learning to submit my perspective of who I believe God to be & instead asking God to show me who He is, while reading His Word so I know it’s the Holy Spirit’s leading, versus Satan’s sometimes subtle lies & tricks.

“For God So Loved the World…”

And what I have been learning has shocked me. Like, it has literally rocked my world & has made me see God through such different lenses than the rule-warlord I once viewed Him as.

I want you to know Him this way, too.

I may end up even doing a short series on this, because seriously, this perspective will make you ENJOY submitting to God’s ways, ENJOY turning to God when you have wronged Him, ENJOY relying on God when your world is falling apart, & ENJOY SPENDING TIME with God when your world seems too crazy to fit a single extra thing into it. It will begin to be something you crave more with each new perspective shift.

I want you to learn to ENJOY GOD this way, as I am slowly growing to understand how much He really does love us.

Who Will We Allow to Influence Our Perspective of God? The World? Satan? Self? Or God Himself?

Admittedly, this is not easy for me—enjoying God—because I am still very much living under my old perspectives, without even realizing I am doing it most times, while gradually recognizing necessary perspective shifts as God shapes my heart to know & love Him more.

Just Practicality… Or Is There More to God’s Design?

First, let me begin by asking you a very simple question. And do yourself a favor & be completely honest with yourself… you have nothing to prove to anyone, I can’t hear your response, & God already knows what you’re thinking better than you let yourself admit… so be honest!

Do you think God created all that He did merely for practical purposes?

God’s Creation is such a beautiful & potent reminder in considering the idea of enjoying God, because we see it everywhere we look (even when you look at yourself in the mirror, beautiful!)

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!

Instead of listing my thoughts, I am just going to write out some of my praises to God for you & pray that it be a reminder or realization for you of how much our great God really does love you! Hint: He went WAY beyond practical in His creation!

Lord, thank You for lavishing Your great love on me. You have used a gentle cool breeze to refresh my heart on days I felt despairing & rushed. Thank You for expressing Your gentle care for me that way. Thank You for the way that cool water feels against my skin on a hot day, whether it be rain, a shower, or when swimming. Thank You for how refreshing fresh clean water tastes when I am tired. Thank You for how therapeutic hotter water is on tired muscles. Thank You for sunsets & sunrises & all of the beautiful artwork You create in the sky moment by moment, always shifting & changing, but always so beautiful! Thank You for how soft kitties are & how comforting their soft fur & gentle purrs are. Thank You for the feeling of warmth from sunshine on my skin, feeling as if You’re wrapping me in a nice, cozy hug. Thank You for how many beautiful flowers You have made! I love seeing all the plants You have made, in all of their beautiful diversity. Thank You for using so many colors & textures & sizes & shapes in creation. You are SO creative & even the grass blowing like waves in the wind is so beautiful. Thank You for the breathtaking view of the ocean waves & the comfort that their sounds can bring to my hurried heart. Thank You for the lightning & thunder in reminding me how powerful You really are—it’s such a comforting reminder that I can fall back & rest in Your capable arms. Thank You!!! Thank You for creating me with hair I can style & play with & a face canvas I can color with beautiful colors. Thank You for nails where I can add a personalized pop of fun. Thank You for my beautiful blue eyes with their specks of gray & gold. Thank You for the soft texture of warm sand or grass between my toes & for all of the fresh air smells. God, I could go on for weeks just thinking of all of the beautiful ways where You went above & beyond practicality just to shine Your strength & wisdom & power & LOVE on me. You are so lavishing in Your love. Thank You! And help me, Lord, always, to KNOW & LOVE You MORE. AMEN.

Enjoying God

Pull out a journal & take a minute to write or say your own praises to God & remember all the ways He expresses His love for you, displayed even in just His creation of the world around you. Just spend some time ENJOYING GOD.

I encourage you, Beautiful creation of Almighty God… if you are questioning me right now, rolling your eyes, or even slightly struggling to see how you can really, truly enjoy God versus seeing Him as a strict Rule-Giver, PLEASE ask God to help you see how you can know & love Him more & KEEP asking Him as He gently shows You His loving nature of kind gentleness… a King who uses His vast riches to pour out His great wonders for us to enjoy.

Let’s Revisit This Later…

I have so much more I can say about this, so let’s just call this part 1, to be continued in a later post.

But for now, start by asking God to show you how to know & love Him more & keep asking Him until your human perspective, tainted by the sins in the world & by Satan’s subtly believed deceit, is brightened by the joy God wishes to lavish over you even as just seen in His wise & beautiful creation.

Shine HOPE by enjoying & appreciating God’s beautiful design in creation & all the EXTRAS He included just because He knew it would make you smile.

He loves you!!

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Holly Necklace

Trades of Hope Co-Founder Holly’s passion is to empower women to be all God created them to be & to live out their potential. Her desire is to see women live out their calling with pride & dignity, no matter their culture or past. This piece is a reflection of the pride & skills a woman rescued from the brothels has when given the opportunity. A delicate piece, this golden/pink druzy necklace sparkles in the light.

Artisan Information:

In Asia, poverty leads many women to be sexually exploited in brothels. These women want to provide for their families but have so few options. But through your purchase, women are being rescued from these brothels & rehabilitated. Holistic care is given to these women, including a shelter, job training, healthcare, counseling, & educational grants for themselves & their children. You can help these women experience restoration for their future!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in Asia!

How You Can Help:

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

What Do Our Actions Say?

Some of you, like I would have, will read the title of this post & immediately say to yourself, “Jesus, of course!”

But, do our actions say we trust Jesus? Or morality/religion?

I grew up in the church. I was taught all the right things to do & to say. I knew the stereotypical answer to every question was ‘JESUS.’

And even though I understood at a young age that I did bad things sometimes (like lie or hit my sister), that those actions separated me from God & made Him unhappy… & that Jesus took my punishment on Himself so that I could be forgiven… I still grew up with a sense of morality guiding my actions, versus trusting in God, through Jesus.

What’s Your Motivator?

Have you ever felt condemnation leading your decisions? Like you didn’t want to make God angry when you messed up, so you did ______________ to help you overcome the shame or guilt you felt?

Or, maybe you felt like as long as you tried to make “good” choices, that’s all God really cared about & you went about making your own decisions & leading your own life your own way, as long as you felt like a good person while doing it?

There are often so many ways that this sometimes subconscious morality motivator has permeated the way that we live life.

Subtle… Subconscious… But So True

So often I didn’t even realize that I was letting morality guide my decisions more than I was actually letting GOD lead my life.

Do you do that, too? Can you think of some examples of this in your own life?

God has really been waking me up to the fact that I do this far too often.

I am often subconsciously letting religion/morality guide me rather than a humble surrender to God, through Jesus… rather than a loving trust in a God who loves us SO much & who is also perfectly reliable, trustworthy, wise, powerful, strong, knowledgeable, etc.!

What Jesus Did Was ENOUGH

Jesus already paid my debt. In full. Forever. I have a zero balance to what I owe God (& good thing, too, because I could never even get close to repaying Him).

I don’t owe God anything. Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient.

“BUT WAIT,” you might think to yourself, “that doesn’t justify doing wrong & it doesn’t mean you can just live however you want & dishonor God just because your debt is paid!” Exactly right.

But my hope in this post is to bring to light where our motivations are in living a life that honors God.

Ask Yourself These Questions

1. Are you trying to be good enough for Him?

NO NEED. God loves us so fully & completely that nothing can separate us from it nor diminish it, even at our very absolute worst.

2. Are you trying to earn God’s grace?

NO NEED. Jesus paid the debt we owe for our sinful, selfish choices. PAID IN FULL. As long as we accept Jesus’ sacrificial gift on our behalf & place our trust in Him as our hope (rather than ourselves or our ‘good’ actions), then we’re all set there.

3. Are you exhaustively trying to keep an image of perfection?

NO NEED. We need to be pointing to Jesus as our hope IN our human imperfections & limitations.

Human perfection is unattainable. We ALL struggle. We ALL get it wrong sometimes. We ALL make mistakes. We ALL need grace. We ALL need God’s wisdom, strength, comfort, peace, love, grace, hope, courage, power, help, etc. EVERY DAY.

Our weaknesses… HIS GLORY. Don’t live to prove you have it all together. Live honestly in all your human weakness, pointing to & leaning into God every step of the way. Make it all about what HE can do, rather than what YOU can do.

Don’t Get It Twisted

I want to pause to point out how I HUGELY misunderstood Question 3 above.

I thought that BECAUSE I was a Christian, I SHOULD be able to be perfect.

What I didn’t then realize, was that my NEED for Him does not end at salvation (accepting Jesus’ payment for my sins).

Don’t ever think that when the Bible tells us God has given us all we need in order to follow Him well, that we don’t need HIM for & through it all!

You don’t become God when you become a Christian… you just gain full access to His resources. So, don’t neglect to ask for His help!

A Grateful Trust

Those reasons stated in the questions I listed above are NOT the right motivators to live righteously (righteousness is trying to please God & living the way He says is best, in the Bible).

BUT, if we look at those “NO NEED” reasons I just mentioned & instead are living out of GRATEFUL TRUST in our great, loving God, THEN we’re getting it right.

Do You Trust Morality… Or Jesus?

So, where are your motivations? Will you let yourself be honest with YOU & with God? Do you trust morality… or Jesus?

Are you trying to measure up? Are you trying to earn God’s forgiveness/grace? Are you trying to put on a perfect façade so others think you’re doing a good enough job as a Christian?

Or, are you trusting God’s love for you… trusting Jesus’ grace for you… & pointing to Him as your true source of HOPE?

Ask Him Where You’re Not Sure

And if you, like I did for SO LONG, question whether God really does love you that much or how much exactly you could entrust to God or in being vulnerable in pointing to GOD as your hope… ASK GOD for help in even helping you to trust what God says/knows about it.

My Prayer:

Start there. Bow your heart & say something like:

“God, I believe, somehow I believe… but help my unbelief. Help me trust that You really do love me that much. I don’t see it sometimes… I mess up too much & I was so stubborn & rebellious & self-centered & wise-in-my-own-eyes, not trusting You. I STILL struggle sometimes to trust You over myself as my first instinct. So, help me! And Lord, help me to trust Your GRACE. I don’t have to add to it or deserve it. Grace is, by definition, UNDESERVED… & yet You still, though it be undeserved, gave it & offered it to me. Help me to rest in that… to have peace in Your power to overcome my worst & forgive it all & to help me be better step by step. And help me to not make following You about how good I AM as a follower, but rather how inept & foolish & selfish & weak I am in light of how GREAT & AWESOME & INFINITE & LOVING You are. Help me point to You in every weakness, every insecurity, every fear, every doubt, every worry, every stress, every mistake, every shame… we’re all in this together, all making mistakes… so help me to be real & honest with my journey to others so that they can more clearly see YOU, not me. YOU are the hope I should be pointing to in everything. Help me be okay showing my weakness for Your glory. And help me to lean into You through everything… to seek to please You with my life out of gratitude for Your grace. And help me to TRUST You enough to do life YOUR way & to ask You to guide me in it & to help me through it every step because You know I fail often. So, HELP ME. Thank You that You always make Yourself available to us night or day, any time, anywhere & You never for a moment tire of us nor lack the wisdom, grace, strength, comfort, power, etc. that we seek & request of You. Thank You for being our infinite & gentle, kind, patient, & LOVING God. I love You. Help me to know & love You more every day. AMEN.”

Amen & amen.

Check Your Motivators & Shine HOPE

Shine Hope by trusting His love for you (& asking for His help in trusting it if you don’t trust it), by trusting His grace (Jesus paid it ALL), & by living with your heart on your sleeves… Not trying to be perfect, but pointing to the One who IS—Jesus Christ, our only true & real HOPE. Shine HIM. <3

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Mirage Earrings

With just a touch of glimmer these earrings are fun & easy to wear.

Artisan Information:

In Asia, poverty leads many women to being sexually exploited in brothels. These women want to provide for their families but have so few options. Through your purchase, women are being rescued from these brothels & rehabilitated. Holistic care is given to these women, including a shelter, job training, healthcare, counseling, & educational grants for artisans & their children. You can help these women experience restoration for their future!

How You Can Help:

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

Hesitantly Agreed

I have been praying about what I should talk about today, asking God to give me something I should share. This was the topic that kept coming back to mind.

When I first considered agreeing to this topic, I felt like, “God, no. Something else please. This isn’t something I’m very good at.”

Then I felt a gentle whisper over my heart, “Your blog shouldn’t be about sharing what YOU’RE good at, but rather what I’M good at, even when you’re not.”

*Sigh*

Fellow Traveler in Need of God

So, again, I come to you not as some kind of expert on the topic, but as a fellow traveler on this journey called “life” to hopefully encourage BOTH of us to look to where our only true hope comes from—Almighty GOD, through Jesus’ loving sacrifice for us & the Holy Spirit’s comfort, wisdom, guidance, & help.

Living Hard Things with Grace

Living through hard things, with grace. What a difficult thing to consider.

I don’t think any of us enter a hard life circumstance thinking we will struggle quite as much as we will, but hard things are hard & I know I am often surprised by how quickly I want to scream, “Uncle!” & give up.

I can’t even handle small stresses very well, ha.

Setting the Stage

For example, I had been waiting on a package, knowing the sender had accidentally put the wrong box number & having visited the post office several times to try to make sure it was sorted out, being informed each time not to worry because it “will self-correct & everything will be just fine.”

But, knowing intent or even good training cannot prevent mistakes in a monotonous job, I wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page & aware, doing my part as best I could without erring on the side of nagging.

Well, all of the reassurance was for nothing because guess what, the package was automatically & immediately returned upon arrival.

Caving in under the Pressure

I was incredulous & was quite ready to slam my hand on the desk & unleash some verbal wrath upon the employees, in a “Are you kidding me? After ALL that reassurance & all my trips here just to make sure & NONE of it made any difference? Are you serious right now?!?”

But I had to take a *very* deep breath, do my best at a gracious reply, & walk out before I lost my resolve.

I then spent the whole drive home (& about 20 minutes in our driveway) rehashing my trouble, concern, efforts, & the inevitable mistake of returning my package anyway, complaining & whining in my head. I basically threw an adult temper tantrum in my car.

Humanity (Including Me) Has Many Weaknesses, but God Offers His Infinite Strength

And when I got tired of my wrath, I took a deep breath, realized how bad & unforgiving my attitude was for something that really wasn’t that big of deal in the big story of life, & I immediately felt some stubborn remorse nagging at my heart, reminding me how NOT well I had handled that situation.

Did I have a right to be frustrated & upset? Yes. Did I have a right to treat them like trash (even if just in my thoughts) because of it? Nope.

I was being self-focused, & I had turned righteous anger into bitterness & a hateful, unforgiving attitude of sin.

Finally Turning it over to God

*sigh* I told you I wasn’t good at this. I can’t even handle someone messing up my MAIL.

So, I hung my head low & cried again, this time for my bad attitude & frustration that I had let take over my afternoon instead of giving it to God.

And I finally gave it to Him.

My Prayer Sounded Something Like This:

“God, I’m sorry. I am so frustrated right now because I was really looking forward to that & now I have to wait for it to return & re-ship & after all my efforts to prevent this & it was all wasted. I just feel so defeated & disappointed & angry. Why couldn’t it have just worked out? I tried! I tried to help fix it. Why did I get my hopes up so high? But I shouldn’t have let my anger take over me like that. I’m sorry for how I reacted in my heart. I shouldn’t have had such a sour & terrible attitude toward them. It was a mistake. It’s a new system & they’re trying to work out the kinks & everyone makes mistakes. Please forgive me for getting so hurtful & angry over something that’s so small overall. Help grow me in it & teach me gratefulness & to trust in You through the messes in life. I don’t like when things don’t work out, but even in them, You have a beautiful plan I can’t always see. Even in holding & comforting me through it, letting me know of Your love on a deeper level through my hurts. Thank You for those moments of the gentle reminders of Your love & care for me & all of us. Help me to forgive. Help me to realize I am often just as in need of Your great grace as anyone else & to thus give grace to others much more willingly & quickly. Help me trust You more than my circumstances working out ideally—especially in this covid world we live in right now. Nothing is normal anymore & it’s hard. It’s an adjustment with hidden culture shocks that pop up unexpectedly because so much of life is no longer normal. Help me to cling to You & trust You & listen to You in humble trusting love. Thank You for hearing me gripe & complain & for Your endless, wonderful graciousness. Thank You for helping me have better, more loving perspective & continue to grow me in that way, having grace in living the hard things. Thank You & AMEN.”

Failing TOWARD Grace

Life & sharing isn’t about always getting it right or always knowing how to handle every situation.

Life’s messy & hard & we’re not meant to be good at any of it on our own. We’re meant to need Jesus’ grace. We’re meant to need Almighty God’s power. We’re meant to need the guidance & comfort & wisdom & strength of the Holy Spirit.

We’re meant to need Him.

We’re Meant to Need Him

So, whatever part of your life feels messy or hard or makes you want to yell & cry in your car for 30 minutes, call out to God. Pour out all your heartache to Him & ask for His help. He’s listening & waiting to help because He loves us that much.

Shine Hope by admitting your need for Him & calling out to Him through every struggle & trial of life.

He’s got you.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Turning Leaf Set

This silver finish hammered metal necklace with matching earrings was inspired by the beautiful shapes of leaves. (And also resembles dragonfly wings!)

Artisan Information:

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

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in India!

How You Can Help:

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

A Question to Consider

Okay, think about this question for a second—“Do you trust in prayer or in God?”

Now, your first instincts might be to ask, “But aren’t they basically the same thing? We pray BECAUSE we believe in God?” In theory, yes… but oftentimes reality looks a little different.

Praying “Right”

To clarify what I mean, I used to think of prayer as saying the magic words, like if I ask enough times, with the right words, in the right timing then maybe I’ll get what I wish.

I was putting more weight on the words I was saying or how I was saying it than the actual trust in the One I was speaking them to.

Flip the Script

Instead, God has taught me to flip how I see prayer. To look to God, remind myself of His great & endless, infinite power, plus His grace & love & patience & gentleness—to consider WHO God really is & THEN just simply TALK to Him.

Saying, “God, You are infinite & so much greater than I can even wrap my head around. I don’t even DESERVE a moment of Your time, & yet You open Your throne room to me & my petitions with eager willingness to hear my call. You are so loving & kind & patient. Help me remember that & know that more. I need You way more than I realize. Forgive me for how self-capable I believe myself to be so often & help me to trust You more. Please help me with _________. I am struggling & I know this is a small matter to You no matter how major & impossible it seems to me, so help me to lean into You instead of myself & help me know what to do. Thank You so much for Your great love for me & the world in whole. I love You. AMEN!”

Do You trust in Prayer or in God?

Instead of putting my faith in my words, frequency, urgency, or any other HOW that I pray, the power comes in HIM, not in HOW we pray.

So, do you put your faith more in your prayers (or try to put your faith in them), or are you learning to place your faith in the Who you are asking in your prayers?

One of the most important takeaways from this is that when God answers differently than our prayers wished for, it is not because we didn’t pray hard enough or pray correctly. It is because we hope & trust in a God Who knows MUCH better than we do & we can always fall back into His arms, knowing the “No” we received was given from 100% PERFECT wisdom, understanding, knowledge, & most importantly endless LOVE for us.

He Is Always Near

He is just a thought away, never far, always close. Reach out your heart to Him & ask Him to hear your call. His love for you can never be fully understood, for it goes much deeper than we can possibly comprehend. Give Him a chance to show that great love to your heart. He loves you.

Shine Hope by trusting HIM more than HOW you ask/talk to Him. <3

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Northern Lights Studs

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

Artisan Information:

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

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in India!

How You Can Help:

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

My Regular Prayer

If you have been following my blog journey for any amount of time, you might have recognized that a common thing for me to pray is, “Lord, Help me to Know & Love You more.”

The story behind this prayer can be found, here, but this prayer has become a priority focus in my life because the weight of it is so profound.

Not Self-Effort, But God-Surrender

In anything we attempt in life, in trying to live a life that gives God glory, we really need to start with this simple prayer in everything we try.

This is true quite simply because if we were to try & perfect every area of our lives, having that be our sole focus, we would constantly be in a scramble & would constantly be beating ourselves up at our mistakes.

But the core or our prayers should be to KNOW & LOVE GOD more, putting everything else in proper balance, with our focus on God in working out our sanctification versus us trying to do it our way, in our wisdom. Our focus should be trained on Him & following HIS lead.

Put God on Center Stage

As this becomes the focus of our prayers & our life, our perspective begins to shift to put Him in center focus. As we know Him more, we learn more of His love for us, which in turn, grows our love for Him even stronger.

So how do we do this thing of knowing & loving Him more? Besides prayer?

Faith, Love, & GOD-Trust

We trust in Him.

This may seem a little too simplistic. If you are anything like I was growing up, I had no idea what it really meant to trust God.

Let’s simplify it even further… to trust God means to take Him at His Word… to consider that He probably knows (aka DOES know) better than we ourselves do.

Now, don’t get me wrong… this is so hard for us, who want to feel capable & in control, to do. Part of our security is feeling like we can come up with a solution & THEN pray about it.

But His Word, as written in the Bible, are HIS Wisdom. His PERFECT wisdom.

And so, learning to trust Him, learning to know Him, starts with taking Him at His Word.

Feeling Capable, But Letting God Lead Instead!

This starts simply by us bowing our “know-how” to God, in saying, “God, I feel VERY strongly that it should be this way or that way, or that I think I know myself pretty well… BUT, You DID make me… You ARE God Almighty. So, if I am wrong, please change my mind.”

Be willing to let God change your mind.

Honestly, we can all agree that we don’t always make the best judgement calls & that our plans don’t usually work out quite as splendidly as we imagined they would. Even if they turn out pretty good, something always just seems off, like we’re missing a piece to the puzzle called life.

So, let God change your mind.

Proven True, Every Time

The more you seek to live a trust in His Word, the more you will find it proven true, no matter how impossible or unbelievable it may sound to us when we first try. He will always be proven right, 100% of the time. That’s PERFECT wisdom for ya.

This week’s post is short, but powerful. And hopefully it being short allows its truth to sink in even deeper. We need our prayers & life to revolve around knowing & loving God more… & as we do that, we begin to set in proper focus all the rest of our life, as we see Him gently guide, lead, & help us every step of our growth through life.

How to Know & Love God More

Let’s review how to know & love God more:

1. Start by knowing His Word: Reading it, taking notes, looking up original Greek/Hebrew words, praying over it for God’s discernment & for the Truth to be made clear to you.

2. And trust His Word, as is—As I said above, learn to let God change your mind. And ask Him to do so in revealing HIS perfect wisdom & truth to overshadow your limited understanding, wisdom, knowledge, perspective, & abilities.

3. And finally, Beautiful one, BE PRAYING. TALK to Him. Get to know Him. Share your heart, your aches, your pains, your fears, gripes, worries, upsets, confusion, doubts, anger, stress, anxiety, weaknesses, hurts, joys, celebrations, excitement, love, hopes, dreams, share EVERYTHING. Talk. To. HIM.

This concept might be simple, but I promise you, it’s profound. Seek Him in everything & learn to know & love Him MORE.

Shine HOPE!

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Lotus Earrings

Hand-cut suede makes these flower petal-inspired earrings a perfect statement.

Artisan Information:

In India, many women are forced to work in sweatshops with unfair pay & dangerous conditions. But with every purchase, the women who make this product are now working in a safe environment, being paid a fair wage & seeing their lives change for the better! They also have access to education & financial counseling. You are empowering women to have freedom to dream again!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in India!

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

What Does It Mean to “Give God Glory”?

First of all, let’s address the “churchy” phrase of “giving God the glory.”

I had heard that phrase in church growing up, but it never really clicked as to what exactly that meant. It sort of seemed like a, “Yeah, yeah, I know… Don’t mess up… Be a good person… Give God credit for stuff… Got it.”

But let’s start by recognizing that, first of all, none of us are “good people,” & second of all, glorifying God is less about us & more about Him.

To give God the glory simply means to put His love, goodness, power, grace, etc. on display… & to make Him famous/known.

We Were Made to Give God Glory

At first, this seemed arrogant to me, I mean really, make a bunch of humans & a whole world for them to worship you on. But that was Satan’s way of twisting the truth.

The Truth is that God knew we would reject Him in one way or another & live OUR way. He knew we would not be able to correct the mess we make as a result.

BUT, He also knew His love could cover us & so set in motion a plan to redeem us from before we were ever even made–Jesus was His plan all along.

We are MEANT to glorify God, not to satisfy His ego, but to display His love, forgiveness, & GRACE to mankind.

A HOPE-Filled Solution for a Sin-Torn World

THAT is why we are to live to give Him glory—to spend our whole lives & purpose striving to put His grace on display, filled with His patience, grace, love, tenderness, & His POWER to SAVE.

I have long heard the quote, “But WHY would a “good” God send ANYONE to Hell??!” But again, Satan is twisting the Truth into a LIE.

The true question, seeing as how God created us, knowing we would rebel & thus setting in motion a plan for our redemption… The TRUE questions is not “why would a good God send anyone to Hell,” but rather…

“WHY would anyone CHOOSE Hell over a GOOD God??!”

The Truth Satan Wants Us to Miss

God fulfilled the plan for our redemption, through perfect, sinless Jesus (God-come-as-man AKA Emmanuel, “God with us”) who WILLINGLY took on the wrath deserved for our sins upon Himself & DIED humbly FOR US, rising again-victorious over both sin & death.

All we are asked to do is to admit our wrongs against God to Him, accept our need for Him, & ask for His grace to cover us. That’s it.

Why would anyone choose Hell over a Good God?

And THAT is why we live to glorify Him. THAT is why it is our life-mission/purpose to bring Him GLORY. Because He loves us that much. Because He wants EVERYONE to know there is TRUE HOPE they can COUNT ON, found only in Him.

How Is That Reflected in Your Life?

And so I ask us this, what are we doing in life to reflect this honorable & loving God-given purpose?

Are we living for ourselves? Are we living just to get through the day? Are we living numb & shut off? Are we living trapped in trauma? Are we living the lies that Satan bottle feeds us daily?

Or… Are we laying down our longings for TRUST that HE IS SUFFICIENT… & asking God to help us find our satisfaction more in Him & less in stuff &/or lifestyle?

… Are we laying down our daily mundane woes or rushed existence to ask God the purpose He has designed for us to give Him glory? … Asking Him how WE can be a part of HIS grand mission to offer grace to the world?

… Are we asking God to help us fight where we feel trapped & broken, asking for healing & renewal & freedom from the pain that keeps us locked in place? Are we trusting He can do that?

… Are we refusing to let Satan write the narrative & instead, asking as in Psalm 139:24 to reveal where we need correction toward TRUTH & away from lies? “See if there is any offensive way in me, & lead me in the way everlasting.”

Show Up… & Let God

It is our time to stand up… to SHOW UP.

It is not up to you to save the world, but it is up to you to ask God where He will have you to go, & when… to let Him lead.

It is not reliant on your resolve, your strength, your wisdom, your courage, or anything else. It is GOD.

It is showing up daily & saying, “God, I am ready. Where do you want me? Give me the wisdom I need… the courage… the strength… the PEACE.”

Or even, “God, I CAN’T. I am nothing! I have NOTHING to offer! I am terrible at this. PLEASE HELP ME & be what I need as I seek to live for You.”

It is being slow to anger, slow to speak (for God) & QUICK TO LISTEN (to God) (James 1:9). It is having a Nehemiah heart of praying through every, “I don’t see how…” “I don’t know what to do…” “Give me the words to say….” It is realizing that WE aren’t their savior. But we know the One Who IS.

It is realizing that WE are WEAK… But HE is STRONG. … WE are FOOLISH… HE is ALL-WISE & ALL-KNOWING… WE have LIMITATIONS… HE does NOT. …WE FAIL… HE FORGIVES.

(***NOTE: I have linked those above Truths to Scripture on BibleGateway.com, so click on them to visit BibleGateway & read them for extra encouragement for just a glimpse of all God is capable.***)

Faith of a Mustard Seed…

Faith the size of a Mustard Seed–Not how big your faith is, but how big your God is.

It’s not being the faith giant that never doubts God & has perfect faith… it is humbly accepting our need of Him, our need of growth, & asking for HIS HELP. It’s not “proving” our faith by doing it all ourselves, it is proving our faith by recognizing our need for His help & ASKING for it every step!

It is not WILL-POWER… But HIS POWER.

Give God the Glory in it ALL

Giving God glory can be done in EVERY part of life, big & small.

Even if it is displayed in how you parent… In how you treat those around you… in how you answer a co-worker or friend’s questions…. Even in the little things, we can point to Him as our hope in it all… We can GIVE Him GLORY.

Shine Hope by living for Him… surrendering your will to His way… surrendering your efforts to His help… by living a life that puts His grace on display wherever you go. Not perfect, but PROGRESS.

He gives grace, not just in death, but all along the journey of life.

He’s worth the glory, so let’s seek to give it whenever humanly possible, with His help every step along the way.

Point to Him as the HOPE we ALL so desperately need. In how you bow your needs to Him, your desires, your fears, your hopes, your everything. Point to Him in it all. THAT is giving God glory.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for TWO years now! Thank you for your continued support & encouragement. <3

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Nairobi Necklace

Small hammered ovals & ethically sourced bone shapes adorn this golden necklace that shimmers in the light. Crafted in Kenya.

Artisan Information:

In Kenya, where many people struggle with starvation & poverty, the women we partner with are defying the odds! Your purchase empowers these women to earn an income, overcome physical disabilities, & become important parts of their communities!

Purchase this piece & empower a woman in Kenya!

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