How Often I Take It for Granted…

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a Christian home. I have been going to church since before I was born.

I accepted Jesus at 5 years old & I have had the influence, comfort, direction, & hope of the Holy Spirit with me ever since.

Sometimes I take all of that for granted… sometimes it’s easy for me to think that because I didn’t have years of living in sinful revelry beforehand that maybe the cost for my redemption wasn’t all too large.

But I’d be wrong… SO wrong.

And the older that I get, the more I can accurately see just how wrong that is.

Not Because of Me…

I am a sinner, saved by the GRACE of God, through Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:8; Isaiah 53:5; John 3:16-17; Romans 10:13)

How? Not by my efforts, but because God loved me (“the world”) so much that He sent Jesus to pay the debt penalty I owe God for my sin. (John 3:16-17)

When I was just 5 years old, as I was thinking about what I had heard in Sunday School & reading the simplified words of my children’s Bible, it dawned on me… I was mean to my sister sometimes… & God calls that sin. I didn’t always listen to my parents… God calls that sin….

And sin… hurts God… it makes Him angry… it makes me an enemy with God. (Romans 8:6-7)

Which means I was God’s enemy. I was going to go to Hell because I was not in fact good because I hurt God with my sin.

And it was at that moment all the pieces came together in my little child heart—THAT is WHY I NEED Jesus!

Set FREE!

So, I ran to my parents’ bedroom & asked how Jesus can save me, too, because I don’t want to make God mad at me & I don’t want to go to Hell.

And because my parents helped me understand that God loved me (and the whole world) so much that He knew I could not be good enough, so He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay my penalty before God, taking the punishment of my sin on His own shoulders & dying on the cross to pay my debt so I could be debt-free before God… I accepted the covering of my sin through the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice that very night at 5 years old.

I am a sinner, saved by the GRACE of God, through Jesus Christ! (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:8; Isaiah 53:5; John 3:16-17; Romans 10:13)

GOD Condescended HIMSELF for US!

Jesus was not stopped by death. He rose again (Luke 24:6-7) as He was both fully man (aka He felt all the pain of His sacrifice both in His body & His heart) (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:34) AND fully God, conquering death, as well as the sins of the world, so that ANYONE who believes on Him through the admission of their guilt before God & a turning away of their way for God’s, calling on Jesus as their Savior… they will be saved. (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:8; Isaiah 53:5; John 3:16-17; Romans 10:13) God condescended Himself for US!

Because Jesus did not come to the world to condemn the world, but that through Him all might be saved. (John 3:16-17)

I take all that for granted somehow. I forget the weightiness of it. The sacrifice. The fact that GOD was willing to condescend HIMSELF for ME. GOD! LORD of ALL! For ME.

For you.

If GOD Saved Us… Why Give Us the Law in the First Place?

You know what it’s so easy to get hung up on? The law. Love. How they can possibly go together.

I’ve been talking a lot lately about my sin of silence… of how the truth sets us free… so shouldn’t we be bold in sharing it? Is it really loving to keep quiet about sin? To try to downplay it?

Do you know why God gave us His law?

Not to control us… He offers us everything when we come to Him.

Not to earn anything… His grace, through Jesus, is a free GIFT.

So, why?

Because, as His Word—the Bible—says, to make us aware of our NEED for HIM. (Romans 7:7; Romans 3:20)

How Do YOU Justify Sin?

Do you live in a way that God calls sin? Do you justify it & stuff it & say, “it’s only uncomfortable because people try to make me feel bad about it”?

Do you recognize the fact that if God calls it sin then He didn’t MAKE you so you CAN’T sin. It is something you CHOOSE… to have your desire met your way as your ultimate priority over pleasing or honoring your Creator, Savior, Almighty GOD.

The fact of the matter is that God tells us the beginning of wisdom is fear of Him because it’s saying we ought to ultimately recognize God as GOD… & that we are not. (Proverbs 9:10)

Did you know that God says He wrote His Law on ALL OUR HEARTS so that we are WITHOUT EXCUSE? (Romans 2:14-15; Romans 1:18-20)

That nagging little doubt… that question in your spirit… that ick you try to cover & hide & pretend isn’t there… it’s because your spirit KNOWS it’s wrong. It KNOWS because it KNOWS who is really in control & whether the WHOLE WORLD approves your sin or not, you will still have to fight that ick because it won’t go away. It can’t ever go away.

Without Jesus.

“Living Your Best Life”

Don’t be fooled into complacency, into the lie of “living your best life.”

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:25-26)

“The heart is deceitful above all things.” (Jeremiah 17:9)

“The heart is desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

God showed us His love in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

Without Jesus, there is no real hope, my friend. There just isn’t.

Judgment Day Will Come-But Grace Is Offered Now

And judgment day will come, whether or not you want to BELIEVE with all your heart that it won’t… it will.

And you will have all of your sins laid out before you, not a single secret one hidden from the all-seeing, all-knowing eyes of God. (Romans 2:16)

And you will have to give an account. (Romans 14:12)

You can try to hand Him all of your good deeds, but God already said it’s not based on anything you can do & that the wages of your sin is DEATH. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 6:23)

Judgment day will come… but grace is offered now.

Repent & call on Jesus & be saved. (Acts 3:19; Romans 10:9-13)

When Will be Your Judgment Day? Are You Ready?

Will you have until you’re 92, lying in a nursing home, finally surrendering your heart to Jesus, being welcomed into heaven on your dying breath…?

Or will you die suddenly in a car crash on your way home & you thought you had more time to decide… but it’s too late?

When will your judgment day come?

Will you be ready?

The Good News

But, my friend, the very Good News is that while judgment day WILL come… GRACE is offered NOW.

God says that believing on Jesus is accounted to us as righteousness (Romans 4:5; Genesis 15:6). That means our debt account, where even our best is counted as dirty rags to God (because it can never outweigh our sin)… (Isaiah 64:6) when we accept Jesus’ debt-covering, our account overflows instead with HIS righteousness now counted as our OWN.

Will we automatically be perfect with never a sinful thought or screw up? Nope. You will be a work in progress until the day you die (that’s why we can’t ever trust our own goodness because we can never be acceptable aside from Christ)… but your sin will be covered.

God’s Law Is GOOD!

Why do I take this for granted?

Why do I shy away from sharing God’s law, in calling out sin as it is—wretchedness that God hates, wretchedness that has a death sentence attached to it?

God gave us His law so we would recognize how much we need Him… not because we’re expected to follow it to the letter IN ORDER TO be saved… but that we follow it to HONOR, PLEASE, & GLORIFY Him as GOD & because His law is Truth & Goodness.

So, when someone calls something sin (that the Bible calls sin), know it’s because they want you to KNOW your need, too… not because they, in contrast, are perfect… but because they know the One who IS.

I am writing this because I care about you knowing this. I want this for you. I want you to know the depth of God’s forgiveness, grace, & love! I want you to know that He makes all things new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Don’t Shy Away from TRUTH–The Truth Shall Set You Free

“Jesus said unto Him: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

What sins are you okay with? How much are you okay with in risking hurting God?

Where do you draw the line?

Judgment day will come… but grace is offered NOW.

Shine HOPE by not shying away from calling sin, sin (IN LOVE) (Ephesians 4:15) & by being willing to share the HOPE we have in God’s grace, through Jesus, that is offered NOW, so when judgment day is here we will be ready & know we did our best & told all we could so they would be ready, too.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Bisa Tote (India)

Woven jute, dyed rope, and artisanal expertise make the Bisa Tote the perfect tote for any summer excursion! The earthy brown tones of the natural jute and leather mixed with the blue color block pattern are absolutely stunning and give this tote a modern coastal look. The ethically made Bisa Tote is handcrafted in India with an unlined interior, magnetic closure, and leather shoulder straps.

(PS. I want this bag! Isn’t it so beachy & cute?!)

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

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

It’s in What’s Not Said

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Faith More in Human Ability or God Ability?

“YES, it’s BEAUTIFUL!”

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

“YES, it’s AMAZING land!………”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Does It Mean to Live by FAITH?

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

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

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

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

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

Remember Who He Is

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

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

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

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

God’s Ways Lead to the Promised Land

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

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

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

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

My Sin? Silence.

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

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

But God makes it all worthwhile.

Who around me will pay the price for my silence?

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

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

God Is My Strength, in Whom I Place My Trust

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

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

And judgment day will come.

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

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

Be Careful

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

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

Let God be God in your life every day.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

May 2023 Hope Mail

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

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

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

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

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

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Do You Think God Is Too Demanding?

Have you ever been tempted to think that God just expects too much, asks too much, or controls too much?

I definitely wrestled with these thoughts growing up as a Christian. I misunderstood that the Bible—God’s Word—was all about rules & control.

But then, when I considered how, yes, He expected & asked for holiness & perfection… but how He also made a way to restore us knowing we couldn’t keep up our end. He loved us so much that He made the way for us when we couldn’t.

So, that sort of tilts the whole idea of God being on some power trip… because He could easily have kept Jesus from coming & just let us all pay the consequences of our own choices—HELL… & death in this life as well.

God Owns All, Is Deserving of All, & Judgment Day Will Come–No Matter What You Want to Believe

Today, I want us to consider Mark 12, which highlights 3 points regarding His deserving:

• Him as the One to Whom all belongs,
• Giving to “Caesar” what belongs to “Caesar” but to God, what belongs to God (us, our hearts, our lives, our all), &
• How we will all face God someday as the Righteous Judge & we ought to know whether we’re ready to meet Him.

When we are tempted to think of God on a cosmic power trip, we must consider that He made everything, owns everything, & that He alone has the right to judge it all—PLUS, He sent JESUS.

It’s True Though… God Has Expectations of Us

But even though God made a way for us to be free from the consequences of our own wrong choices, God still expects us to express love to Him through our obedience to Him… & sometimes it’s true that He asks some hard things of us (but not without His offer to help).

Sometimes it’s having a willingness to leave everything behind to follow His lead, like Abraham did when God called him (Genesis 12:1-4)… or like many missionaries throughout history.

Sometimes it’s letting God define our identity rather than trying to make that call ourselves–even & especially when our way seems so “true to self” &/or “authentic.”

Sometimes it’s being willing to die for His Truth to be shared with a hope-seeking world, like so many of Jesus’ disciples & the many martyrs throughout history.

Sometimes it’s accepting a life of ridicule from those you care about & want to please the most to stand for the hope you know is True & worth living for.

Sometimes it’s being willing to serve where it’s not so glamorous & where you get close to zero recognition &/or praise. (I think at least a few of my mom friends have felt this way at least at some point—can you relate to that?)

Whatever it is that God is asking of you to walk in obedience to Him… maybe it doesn’t feel good or make you look good or goes against everything you’ve always wanted or believed. And you may be tempted to think that God is quite demanding & controlling.

But God is not demanding. He’s deserving.

What Makes God Deserving?

He made you… knit you together in fact. And He knows all your days before one ever took place. (Psalm 139:13-16) Only He gets to say “who you are.”

He can number every hair on your head. (Matthew 10:30)

He is LORD of Heaven & Earth. He MADE Heaven & Earth & everything in it. (Acts 17:24-25)

He is before time & will exist eternally after time. (Colossians 1:17; Genesis 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:17)

He knows absolutely everything there is to know or ever will be to know & has perfect understanding & wisdom to navigate through it all wisely. (Romans 11:33; Proverbs 2:6)

He holds absolute authority. (2 chronicles 20:6)

AND He sent Jesus to pay all of your debts to reconcile you to Himself if you believe on Jesus to cover your debt & declare Him as your LORD. (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17)

Don’t Underestimate Your Need of Him

Maybe you grew up always trying to be a good person & you think, “what debt, Michelle? I always have tried to be a good person & do right things & not be a troublemaker. My debt, if any, isn’t really that big a deal.”

Yeah, growing up in the church, especially, my pride tempts me to think that way too sometimes.

But sin is really the idea of “missing the mark,” of not always, in every single moment of every single day having every thought, attitude, & action be pleasing & honoring to God. I don’t think ANY of us can claim THAT–I know I can’t.

We’re not comparing ourselves to other flawed humans.

No, we’re comparing ourselves to the One & only perfect, holy GOD ALMIGHTY.

And on THAT comparison, to say I fall short is a HUGE understatement.

He is PERFECT & HOLY. I am not worthy to even have Him consider me. (Psalm 8:3-4; Isaiah 6:1-5; Job 40:1-14; Ephesians 3:8; John 1:27)

I am the undeserving one.

God Is Not Demanding, He’s DESERVING

And yet, He knew that & He sent Jesus to cover my debt to Him & ALL I HAVE TO DO to receive it is repent (admit, confess, turn from) my sin against Him & believe on JESUS to be the covering for that sin (versus trying to be it yourself—because you will never quite measure up). (Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16-17; Romans 10:9)

And, oh yeah, get this: Every single thing He commands us… IS FOR OUR ULTIMATE GOOD. (Romans 8:28; Deuteronomy 10:12-13)

AND every single thing He asks of us, He ALSO offers to be our supply in the doing of it. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

So, considering ALL THAT, to even imply that the Bible is a display of a major power trip of God’s is just quite frankly insulting.

God is not demanding. He’s DESERVING.

He Gives His All So We May Give Our All to & for Him

Wow. In all my underserving, my pride, my underestimating Him & neglecting to praise Him as often as He honestly deserves… He gives His all for me.

God is NOT demanding. He’s deserving.

So, if you want to scream your “rights” in wanting to live YOUR life YOUR way–even in just how you spend your free time aka my struggle (it’s not your life) & live by your determination of YOUR “true, authentic self…” (only HE knows what that is, because HE made you)—if it goes against what God says—you WILL pay the price for that “missing the mark” because if it goes against what HE, as YOUR CREATOR says… it’s automatically wrong.

I Don’t Give Him the Praise He Deserves

He offers payment in full. Full forgiveness. Full debt forgiveness. A fresh start.

You don’t have to “clean yourself up first” or “prove you mean it” by conquering certain things first.

You just have to be willing to accept that you are NOT enough & that ONLY He is. And repent of your way & trust on Jesus’ payment & have a desire to live for God’s way.

Shine HOPE by not apologizing for God’s commands, but rather pointing to His deserving in all things.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Identity Quartz Necklace (Guatemala)

The naturally varying shades of strawberry quartz stones make the handcrafted Identity Quartz Necklace from Guatemala beautiful. Dainty tones of pink with ivory shades encase a pure silver charm embossed with the fingerprint of the woman who created it!

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

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

We All Need the Reminder Sometimes

I have talked a few times about this topic of praise, here & there… but today, I just wanted to sit in it for a moment. I want a chance to really let it sink in & settle in our hearts… mine included.

I’m a complainer… a whiner. When things get hard, I look for a way out. It is not natural for me to “be still & know that He is God,” as the verse so rightly encourages & guides. (Psalm 46:10)

Even if I push through & try not to let it change how I interact with others, it’s easy for me to see an existing problem that will not go away, & just want to throw my head back in frustration & yell, “GO AWAY ALREADY!”

I get overwhelmed & unsettled & I don’t like it.

And sometimes, when I feel frustrated & overwhelmed & I cry out to God for help, the response comes like a gentle breeze over my heart, “Praise Me.”

And When Hurts Are Heavy…

Sometimes it’s something that hurt me deeply, either a traumatic circumstance or betrayal of someone close to me, & I just feel despair begin to settle on me like a heavy, cumbersome blanket, pushing me down under its weight.

Crawling in bed, pulling the comforter up to my chin, curling up on my side, just wanting to shut out the whole world.

And sometimes, in these burdensome moments when the hurt closes in around me & I can only manage choking out a silent sob, I stop to pray to God for rescue & refuge, & the response comes like a gentle breeze over my heart, “Praise Me.”

And When God Leads Me Where I Do Not Want to Go…

Or when God asks something of me that I DO NOT WANT… like when He first revealed His guiding us back to Guam.

I felt stubborn & angry & hurt & afraid. It became a wrestling match between me & God. I knew He would win (that He SHOULD win), that He is never wrong, that He always had a plan… but I didn’t want it. I was afraid.

And His reminder, that felt so annoying to my defiant heart, was the response that came like a gentle breeze over my heart, “Praise Me.”

And When Depression Symptoms Threaten to Envelop Me…

My depression symptoms, too. Oh, how they can beat me up sometimes.

It’s true that I’m in a weird transition of recognizing how I have made my coping mechanisms my idols, turning to them IN PLACE OF God’s peace… so I am cutting myself off of them, my idols, forcing myself to try trusting ONLY in God with NO substitutes… & you may think, “if you need them, you need them, Michelle. If they help, use them,” but it’s beyond that. I have become DEPENDENT on them, ADDICTED to them, & once I indulge, the consuming weight shifts from the symptoms to an inability to pull away from the coping mechanisms.

And some days, I feel strong & able, seeing God guide me in His PEACE… a freedom.

But other days, I just want it to be easy & I just want to run away to what feels easy, to what I know… to STUFF every hint of the angst it brings. And I feel overcome & afraid of losing to the symptoms.

And even still, when I run instead to my prayer journal to hash out my angst in desperate prayers of repentance & admission to God of my fear (aka my lack of trust in Him), asking for His help, the response comes like a gentle breeze over my heart, “Praise Me.”

He Is Worthy. He Is Sufficient. He Cares for Me.

Praise Him. Give Him thanks. Worship Him… the echoed reminders to my heart in times of trouble.

Sometimes it feels insensitive. Would you feel that way? Like God is just dismissing your hurt, fear, angst, etc.? But at the heart of it, if you take prayerful time to look deeper, you begin to see the wisdom behind this gentle nudge to Praise Him in ALL circumstances.

In some seasons, life can seem overwhelmingly painful. Like you are being dragged down to the ground & you can’t ever get up again. Sometimes it’s scary & uncertain & everything just seems to be exploding all around you in chaos & pain & you may really feel that if you fall, you may never be able to get back up again.

But Praise Him.

Why? Because it takes our eyes off the mess & redirects them to HIM.

Cultivating a Heart of Praise-A Vital Necessity in Life

Cultivating a heart of praise is a VITAL necessity in life–to bow our hurting, heavy hearts under His strong, mighty, capable hand.

Saying, “God, this is HARD, but You, You’re Enough! You are mighty. You are strong. You are ABLE! I can rely on You. I can trust You. You have a plan & You can carry me through any valley or ANY storm! You are worthy to be praised, come what may, no matter what! You are sufficient as my refuge & my strength in ANY time of trouble. You are GOD!”

God isn’t being insensitive when He nudges your heart to praise Him when it’s hard… it’s His reminder to you to take a moment to put your hope NOT in how YOU can handle the given situation or circumstance, but in HIM.

Let Your Heart Choose to Praise Him in ALL Circumstances

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah” (Psalm 46:1-3)

“IN the multitude of my anxieties, Your comforts delight my soul.” (Psalm 94:19; emphasis added)

“My grace is sufficient, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

“Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

“God will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

“I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised…” (2 Samuel 22:4; Psalm 18:3; Psalm 145:3)

Remember…

God hasn’t abandoned me in those HARD moments, He is beckoning me to lay that HARD at His feet for help & to lift Him up in my heart so I may remember WHO He is… WHO loves me… & WHO is able!

He doesn’t promise life will never be hard. We live in a sin-torn, broken world, in NEED OF JESUS… but He does promise to be with us in it & through it… & to be our sufficiency. (Read about why we need JESUS, here: “The Gospel Changes Everything” & “Why the Gospel Is Such a Big Deal.”)

PRAISE HIM! Not just for the promise of eternity with Him, but now, in the hurting.

He is worthy.

Lean into Him. Put your weight on Him. Lift Him up in your heart.

PRAISE HIM for He is worthy to be praised!

Shine HOPE by DETERMINING to PRAISE Him in ALL circumstances… & so also find the hope you’re so desperately needing in your darkest moments–in HIM.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

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

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

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

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

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

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

Citrus Wood Body Butter (USA)

Every purchase of this Citrus Wood Body Butter empowers women survivors of human trafficking, addiction, and abuse in Nashville, U.S.A.

This Citrus Wood Body Butter is designed to glide on for a refreshingly airy application to provide less bulk and more hydration. Enjoy the refreshing cedar and citrus scent this blend provides.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

An “Impossible” Peace

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Have you ever stopped to consider what it really means to have peace that goes beyond your understanding?

I have talked on this before, but as I am learning more about daily, moment-by-moment surrender to God, to include my very grumpy mornings as of late, this concept of impossible peace has become a comforting, non-understandable companion of mine. And I want you to see how you can have it, too.

Many a Sleepless Night

You see, it has been a long time since I have slept well. And, while many have conjectured the reasons, whether it be hormonal or anxiety or whatever else, there really isn’t any clear explanation at all as to why I am not sleeping much.

It’s always different. I feel no anxiety or worries floating around in my head. I’m not thinking about anything at all & in fact, constantly feel in a state of “I’m about to drift off” but sometimes never actually do. The reason for my lack of sleep is never consistent.

There’s the stray dogs that gather outside our bedroom window & decide to join as a chaotic choir of shrill, loud barks in the middle of the night at random times. There’s my husband’s leg that jerks along with his dreams some nights as he sleeps. There’s the inconsolable itches in my nose or a clog I can’t seem to adequately clear or a tickle in my throat that threatens to explode into a barrage of loud, wake-the-husband coughs that I strain to contain. Sometimes it’s a fold in the sheets under my leg that my brain fixates on with hypersensitivity, like I am embodying the princess & the pea. And in the course of one single night, sometimes it is ALL OF THE ABOVE.

It has been rough. I’m not going to lie to you about that.

The Hard Hasn’t Stopped… But…

Some nights, after HOURS of “almost there, almost about to drift into deep, blissful sleep” moments where I am jerked awake by any one of those things I mentioned above… after hours of being so sleepy, so relaxed, so on the edge of slumber, but unsuccessful… well, sometimes I resort to silent screaming into my pillow, whimpering pathetically as quietly as I can, or just giving up altogether & just getting up.

In fact, after resorting to all three of those a few nights ago, I eventually sat down at my dining room table at around 4am, put my elbows on the table, put my face in my palms, & I just sat there & sobbed for about 20-30 minutes.

Frustration. Exhaustion. Maddening countless failed attempts to sleep. It was all too much. And this, mind you, is after MONTHS of this happening several times a week, if not more.

And I have prayed. OH HOW I HAVE PRAYED for it to stop so I could JUST SLEEP.

But no relief comes. But….

Does God Really Care? Even When It Stays Hard?

And to be honest with you, when times like this, where troubles just kept coming at me with little to no relief & my prayers seemed to be to no avail, I was really, really tempted & sometimes full-on gave in to doubting that God even cared about me at all.

Shame on me.

But God has been preparing me for this very season through my personally learned lessons of surrender lately. He’s been teaching me that He is enough when I am not even close. That He can be my strength when I am depleted. That He can hold me up & lift me when I feel sunken into the ground in defeat.

He really is enough.

And that’s what I want to urge you to consider. That He is enough, even when it makes absolutely no sense that you can feel you have lost everything & still have everything.

His Peace Seems Impossible When It Is Present on the Darkest of Nights

Impossible peace is not so impossible with God.

It is very much possible… through crying out to Him AS your help in times of trouble.

*Now, there is a pre-requisite, if you will… Knowing & accepting His Son, Jesus, as your Savior from your sin. We all sin. We all deserve Hell. But God offers hope, through Jesus. Do you know Him? (Read more about that in “Have You Met Jesus?” & “Am I Going to Hell?”) Because THAT peace is what your heart really craves above ALL else.*

You see, I used to think that crying out to Him as my help in times of trouble meant that I need to trust Him to fix everything for me so I can just be happy again.

But no. That’s not it.

Praise Him in Every Circumstance

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

“I will praise the Lord at all times.
    I will constantly speak his praises.” (Psalm 34:1)

This peace that goes beyond understanding, this IMPOSSIBLE PEACE, means that EVEN WHEN THE STORMS STILL RAGE… you can have peace through Him.

That is why the disciples could sing praise to God while sitting in prison. (Acts 16:24-25)

That is why God says to praise Him in every circumstance. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

That is why God says to not lean on our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

How You Can Have Impossible Peace

My physical body is weak. I am tired almost all the time lately. I wake up so many days mad at my alarm, signifying that time is up… no more attempts for sleep tonight….

And I have a lot to surrender lately because of all that.

And I may feel like I am breaking, but I am not broken.

I may feel weak, but He IS my strength when I call out to Him.

My days may start off with an angry, temper-tantrum worthy attitude of frustration, but when I ask God to forgive me for it & I ask Him to be my enough somehow that day… He shows Himself quite enough for me every time.

How can you have impossible peace? Through calling out to Him AS your help.

I don’t like feeling weak. I don’t like feeling like I have to ask for help in the dumbest, littlest ways as if I am completely worthless… but let me tell you what… I like knowing He is enough, always, 100%.

Am I Willing to Surrender This to Him as My Help?

The question I have to ask myself when I am being broken down is this: “Am I willing to surrender this to Him for help? Am I willing to entrust my nothing for His everything? Or am I going to demand to feel I am enough on my own?”

Satan Wants Me Broken… Wants Me to Quit… But God Wants Me to KNOW God Is Enough, Even If

I strongly believe that my lack of sleep is spiritual warfare. If you doubt Satan does stuff like that, just spend some time reading the book in the Bible: Job. (Job) Because there is no clear reason, nor any CONSISTENT reason why I can’t sleep.

I feel like Satan is hating what I am learning about surrender, aka taking my lacking & knowing I can trade that in for God’s everything if I am but willing to surrender to His help versus demand I feel adequate on my own again.

I feel like Satan wants me to throw in the towel & say, “Heck no! This is NOT worth it! I feel tired all the time & it is so HARD & I HATE hard! Forget it! I want it to be easy again! I don’t want to NEED God for even the tiniest things! It’s TOO HARD! I quit!”

But God whispers gently the reminder that each & every time I have chosen surrender on those very hard mornings following bad sleep… that God was faithful… He showed up… He helped me put one foot in front of the other like a constant Companion & Guide… He comforted me in my most uncomfortable moments. That He was very much ENOUGH for me.

I am But Human… Thankfully, God Is MORE

Am I tempted some mornings to listen to Satan & throw in the towel & quit & say, “But I don’t WANT it to be HARD anymore!” Yes. Sadly, yes. I like feeling the lie that I can take care of myself just fine & rely on a restful night sleep after a long day so I can wake up refreshed & ready for the next day, feeling strong. I WANT THAT SO BADLY when struggling to sleep in the middle of the night!

But God has been giving me impossible peace each day when sleep happens to elude me. He has helped me see I can trust Him with more than I thought.

My Excuses… My Fears… Compared to God’s Everything

And He has shown me another very important thing through this hard, sometimes so frustrating journey… that my previous struggle of merely being a light sleeper kept me from thriving because I always chose extra chances for sleep versus taking time with Him every morning before I began each day, worried I wouldn’t sleep enough otherwise.

But now, I barely sleep anyway. And yet… God has shown Himself more than sufficient for me through it….

And if He is sufficient when I get no sleep, how much more so if I am getting less sleep ON PURPOSE because I desire to give Him honor by spending time with Him before I start each day, asking for His help & guiding hand to lead my thoughts & actions.

Satan wants me to stay stuck. To say, “See, you’re never guaranteed sleep… so just set your alarm as late as you can… or don’t set it at all… just in case.”

But if God can prove Himself to be more than sufficient in this season of intense & agonizing sleeplessness, then He can supply for me what I need in order to take some time each morning, intentionally, to spend time honoring Him each morning before I start my day.

No more living in fear of lack of sleep. I’m not getting much these days anyway.

I Can Have Impossible Peace… Even IN the Hard… & SO. CAN. YOU.

Time to surrender even my fear of not getting enough sleep to God & time to start asking Him to give me enough clarity of thought to spend time dedicating my day to Him each morning… even if I don’t get ANY sleep… & even if it means risking less sleep.

Because He really is enough. And He really can supply “impossible” peace… even when it seems, well, impossible… if I am but willing to surrender my need to Him AS my help.

Shine HOPE by not letting Satan call the shots or discourage you away from all the many ways God can stand in the gap for you & be your more than enough… by determining to rely on God’s impossible peace.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over 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!!

Kaia Earrings (Philippines)

These elegant eco-friendly earrings feature ethically sourced, sustainable, capiz shells that local families harvest from the bottom of the sea surrounding the Philippine islands. Artisans handcraft these natural capiz shells into blue ombré teardrop shapes and then wrap them in silver-tone metal frames before adding silver-tone fishhook ear wires.

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

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Do You Ever Wonder?

When the lights go out & you crawl into bed for the night, alone with your thoughts… do you ever wonder: “Am I going to Hell when I die?”

Maybe during the day you make conscious effort to do the right thing & be a nice person, & so you are good at burying that little annoying doubt under loads of feel-goods… but when you’re alone with your thoughts… are you solid in convincing yourself? Or does that little nagging doubt follow you like an ominous shadow that you can’t quite seem to shake?

How Can You Know?

Satan definitely likes to make Christians doubt the power of God on this point, but for some, that nagging little doubt is a nudge from God’s Spirit, letting you know that the way you are headed, no matter how laced with good deeds & good intentions, is leading you straight to Hell.

But how can you really know for sure?

I don’t want you to live with doubts & wondering. I don’t want you to be weighed down by anxious thoughts & worry. I want you to know that you know that you know. Once & for all.

And trust me… there is a sure way to KNOW. (If you haven’t read last week’s post, that’s a very good place to start: “Have You Met Jesus?”)

You Need to KNOW, So You Can Shove That Annoying Little Doubt Away for GOOD

You see, I want you to know the truth. That if you have not admitted to the sin in your life… those things where you went your way over God’s or did any scrap of wrong AT ALL (God is pure, holy, & perfect, so our sin naturally separates us from Him, no matter how “small,” “infrequent,” or “inconsequential” you may try to convince yourself it is)… you are going to Hell without Jesus. NONE of us have ANY chance without Jesus. So it’s really important that you know Him.

Are You Willing to Just Chance It?

No amount of good deeds will ever give you the rest & assurance you’re seeking, because deep down, your heart knows that will never be enough—no matter how hard you may try to convince yourself otherwise.

No amount of being a nice or good person will ever even the scales in your favor. Any amount of wrong in your life separates you from God.

No amount of knowing all the right answers in church, or perfect church attendance, or going to every church function, or doing all the right “churchy” things.”.

No amount of being generous.

No amount of trying to feel good about yourself.

You’ll always come up short… miss the mark… do you really want to take that chance?

Do you really want to risk eternal anguish & suffering by hoping you can do “enough”? … to risk never experiencing the calm, contented, PEACE & LOVE of Heaven because Maybe you’ll make it in?

What Is Hell?

You may say, “well, Hell can’t be that bad. Heaven sounds boring anyway.”

No, my friend. Hell is complete & absolute, eternal separation from God. While on earth, you still experience His goodness & love, mixed with the hurt, stress, & pain results of sin in this world. But in Hell—take out the good parts… leave only the pain.

You don’t want that & God is NOT forcing you to go there because you’re “not good enough.” Because NONE of us are. ANY sin makes us separated from God. ANY. (Romans 3:23-24)

It’s not that the “beyond saving” “have to” go to Hell. Or that only the “bad” people go there. No, we ALL deserve Hell.

But… JESUS

But… Jesus. “Have You Met Jesus?” He made a way possible. (Romans 6:23; 1 John 3:16; John 14:6; John 3:17)

Don’t let yourself remain tormented with that nagging question: “Am I Going to Hell?” Because you can KNOW you’re not, because the way to Heaven doesn’t depend on what you can offer, but what God already offered, through JESUS..

Jesus came down from His heavenly throne, to be born as a man, so He could be our once-and-for-all perfect sacrificial Lamb, giving HIS life to redeem OURS. (1 John 1:9; Isaiah 53:4-6; John 1:29; Matthew 1:23)

But… How?

You don’t have to get cleaned up first… that would take eternity & still not happen 100%.

You don’t have to be good enough or earn it… because none of us are & none of us can.

All you need is a humbled heart that says, “Lord, I’m sorry. Please forgive me for all of the ways I have wronged you, big or small. Forgive me. Please, Jesus, cover my sins for me. Thank You for paying my debt FOR ME! Amen.” (Romans 10:9-10)

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-24)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16-17)

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)

It is the gift of God. Have you accepted?

Am I Going to Hell?

Do you know for sure? Have you made your peace with God? Have you surrendered your sin to Him in exchange for the gift Jesus offers?

Don’t be content just trying to bury that question… SQUASH it.

Be SAVED from your own sin-debt to God. Let Jesus cover you in everlasting, assured HOPE.

It is definitely true that Satan will try to derail & decommission even a Christian by harassing them over a mistake they have made, whispering “are you really saved?” But, JESUS paid for that, too—so don’t let yourself or Satan forget that!

Shine HOPE by taking your sin to the feet of Jesus & asking Him to cover your sin… to be your Savior… to be your HOPE.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over 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!!

Liberty Necklace (East Asia)

This beautifully feminine necklace is made by women rescued from brothels in East Asia. Every Liberty Necklace is totally unique with real dried purple flowers displayed in clear resin and set in a round silver tone frame. Every purchase helps support a sex-trafficking survivor in East Asia with safe housing, health care, trauma counseling, job skills training, and dignified income.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Who Is Jesus to You?

Have you met Jesus?

Maybe you have heard others talk about Him. Maybe you know Him as a “good teacher” or a “nice person who did good things a long time ago.” Maybe you know Him as someone in history or believe Him to be the fictional imaginings of those who want something to cling to on their darkest days… a crutch.

I know Him a little differently than that. And you can, too. He is not dead & He is not a fictional imagining & He is not just a good person or teacher. He’s a lot more. A whole lot more.

Maybe you grew up hearing about Him at church or maybe through a friend you had growing up… maybe you only ever hear about Him at Christmas through Christmas songs or phrases such as “Jesus is the reason for the season.”

Maybe you think of Him as just another ‘god’ that some people choose to worship to feel good about themselves… their “god of choice.” Or maybe you consider Him to be another hokie “Christian-y” thing.

No matter what you believe or how you think of Jesus, I want to introduce you to Him today.

Jesus Is More

Jesus is so much more than we could ever wrap our minds around.

He is God, before time began… Who came down to earth as fully man, fully God, condescending Himself so that He could fulfill the law of God.

You see, before any of us were born, before the world even began, God was. And He made the world & everything in it… & in His PERFECT wisdom & knowledge, He intended for us to simply steward His creation as we walked with Him in loving harmony, trusting Him with the cares of the world & letting His peace define our lives… letting HIM be God. (Genesis 1-3)

We ALL Miss the Mark

But… sin (sin means ‘missing the mark,’ or basically anything that dishonors, displeases, disrespects, or disobeys God). Sin separates us from God because He is PERFECTLY HOLY & His holiness cannot intermingle with unholiness. We all sin & fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

Adam & Eve, as the first humans, decided that ‘just’ trusting God wasn’t enough. (I definitely act sometimes as if I think this way, too!) They were tempted & lied to by Satan (who continues to do this with us even to this day) & they made the CHOICE to disobey the very singular rule they were given—not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good & evil.

They were tempted to know for themselves, to make their own judgement call, to vet maybe anything God led or decided in their lives. They wanted to be equal to God in that way & have that control. That was the first sin. (I am definitely guilty of this! I get uncomfortable when I don’t know where God is leading & I want to know first before I follow.)

God Never Gives Up on Us

Because Adam & Eve sinned in that way, that sin passes down to every one of us. We are BORN sinners. We are BORN wanting OUR way over anyone else’s.

But God did not stop loving us. He did not ever give up on us.

So, God gave Moses the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), that if we followed His law, now that we wanted to choose for ourselves & make our own judgement calls… then we would be okay.

But, He knew not one of us could ever keep it perfectly.

So, God gave the sacrificial instructions to the priests so that by killing an innocent animal, our sins could be forgiven (showing the severity of sin & God’s hatred of sin—because it always hurts us & others & He knows it & He wanted us to take sin that seriously). (Exodus 29)

But again, God knew our sins would always end up outweighing that of the sacrifice. More sins would come & we would never be fully covered, no matter how many animals we were willing to kill because of our continual sin.

But AGAIN, God did not stop loving us. He did not EVER give up on us.

From the Beginning, It Was Always JESUS

So, throughout all time, even from the beginning, God had a plan to express His great, unending, inexhaustive, unconditional love for us… JESUS.

Jesus.

God knew from before time that the ONLY way we could be redeemed would be JESUS. And guess what… even knowing that… He made us anyway. That’s how much we are loved by Him!

Jesus came to make peace between us & God… to pay OUR debts that we could never sufficiently pay through animal sacrifices or in TRYING to be perfect… to end the bloodshed of innocent animals to cover our wrongs before God—(you would think having to kill an animal every time you sinned because of how terrible a thing sin is, that it would be motivation enough to stop, but boy are we prone to wander, aren’t we? I can’t even judge them on that one, no matter how terrible it sounds in hindsight for us).

But God sent Jesus. Jesus came willingly, out of love for us… out of love for you.

We Deserve God’s WRATH, But Jesus Brings Hope in His GRACE

He saw our lowly state, our inability to save ourselves from our own deserved punishment, had compassion on us… & came to pay our debts by giving His own life on the cross.

The cross was not an easy, quick death. It was long, drawn out, humiliating, gut-wrenching agony. And He was so anguished leading up to it that He sweat BLOOD.

And yet, He went through it with such grace & humility—being GOD, who could have swept in & just killed everyone in righteous WRATH for their disrespect & dishonor to the ALMIGHTY–HIM.

But instead, He went like a sheep to the slaughter, without a fight or resistance. He went willingly to suffer a humiliating, excruciating death… for you. Because His love for you demanded that He do something to save you.

Have You Met Jesus?

Have you met Jesus?

Jesus wasn’t just a good man. He was a perfect man… God in flesh. He condescended Himself from His heavenly, eternal throne to be rejected, despised, spat on, humiliated, whipped, stripped, beaten, & HUNG because He loves you.

People like to say, “Well, why would a good God send anyone to Hell? I don’t want to serve a God who would do that anyway!”

But let me ask you this, the real question is this: “Why would anyone CHOOSE Hell over a GOOD God Who condescended Himself as Almighty GOD to humble MAN to pay YOUR debts because HE loves you THAT MUCH?!”

And He offers that GIFT of GRACE to ANYONE willing to accept it.

Jesus ROSE

But Jesus didn’t stay dead, praise GOD! He ROSE AGAIN, victorious over death AND our sin! Hallelujah indeed!!! (Matthew 28:5-6)

“IT IS FINISHED.” (John 19:30)

People say He was just a good teacher, but He is the All-Wise, All-Knowing GOD Who created all life! When the Bible says “FEAR GOD” (Proverbs 9:10) it is a reminder that HE is GOD & YOU ARE NOT.

Jesus was not just a good Man. He was our perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb Who put Himself on the alter as our once-and-for-all sacrificial offering for our sins.

Jesus–A Gift for All Who Will Receive Him

And guess what? He doesn’t ask for anything to earn it or be good enough for it.

Just. Faith. In. His. Payment. That is ALL.

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13)

To come face to face with your sin, admit it to God as SIN… that you wronged Him & hurt Him with your disobedience to Him. And say, “God, forgive me. Please forgive me. I cannot save myself. I need You. I need Jesus. Take my sin. Help me to turn from my way of life to Yours. Teach me Your way… in the way everlasting. Take my sin & heal me… forgive me… make me whole again. Jesus, please be LORD of my life from now on. I need You. AMEN.”

Confess your sins to Him. Admit your wrongs against Him. Accept that you will make mistakes but allow God to prune your life to ever be more pleasing & honoring to Him. Accept Jesus as your LORD… as your REDEEMER before God.

Thank You, Jesus

Have you met Jesus? I would like to introduce Him to you… because He has loved you with an everlasting, unconditional love before you were even thought of… & He made a way for you to be right with God once & for all, through His blood, sacrifice, & LOVE.

Shine HOPE by sharing our only true source of HOPE with EVERYONE you know.

Life is short. You are not promised tomorrow.

But Jesus is waiting today… for you.

Will you meet Him?

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over 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!!

Emery Saddle Bag (India)

Discover beautiful Artisanal style inside this smooth palomino genuine leather bag from India with screen-printed, peach poppy flower designs throughout its tan 100% woven cotton lining. This ethically made Emery Saddle Bag is handcrafted in India with a unique round bottom and stylish front flap that’s finished with a decorative tassel and a magnetic snap closure. Keep your valuables organized and safe in the zippered interior pocket and interior slip pocket. The removable strap allows you to choose how you wear this must-have bag – as a shoulder bag or as a clutch! You can even wear this Emery Saddle Bag as a crossbody with the Emery Crossbody Strap (sold separately). Every purchase creates safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty in India.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Feeling So Bleh

I am currently sitting at my kitchen/dining room table, surrounded by mess everywhere–on the table, on the floor, & everywhere else within eyesight (& beyond). We are at the point in our move-in process where most everything is unpacked, but not everything has a space yet. Coming from a larger space into a smaller one (with no outside storage) has presented us with the challenge of getting creative with our space &/or figuring out what to purge. Couple that with the fact that most every storage space in our home was left incomplete, it’s quite the endeavor (hence the mess).

Well, not sure about you, but I don’t always work well with chaotic mess surrounding me. It makes my mind too distracted to focus. I feel overwhelmed & anxious & just want to tune it out & avoid it. In other words… I definitely don’t want to be productive, even with my blog.

Then, here I am with another bad night of sleep last night & an impending cold I feel creeping in on me….

I basically just feel bleh. Cozy blanket & cozy pajamas & a cozy bed of sleep is all I want to think about right now. I love being here & having the honor of hopefully encouraging you each week, but some days I am just not in the mood because all I want to think about is ME & being more comfortable.

Just. Show. Up.

But, God made it clear when I began this blog journey over 4 years ago that despite my level of motivation, excitement, or good/bad attitude, He wanted me to show up & be consistent with this space… to be genuine, to show & share my weaknesses, & to just show up for Him… to demonstrate that He is enough in my lacking & worth it in my bad attitude about it.

I think I often make the mistake that if I feel I am not good enough for a task or don’t feel I have the right attitude or a strong enough will to do it… it’s best saved for another time or for someone else… but I’m not here because I have all the answers & handle every situation in a way that makes God “proud” of me, or because I am always chipper & ready to work… I’m here because even when I feel inadequate, fail, & just feel plain stubborn & whiney… He is worth showing up for.

He asks me to JUST. SHOW. UP. Warts & all.

It’s Not About ME

And not only is He worth showing up for, but this whole thing isn’t about showing you, “Hey, listen up everyone! I want you to see what a GOOOD Christian I am by doing this super “Christian-y” thing of writing this blog!” Ha. No.

It’s about saying, “Hey, I have flaws, too. I have days where my attitude is THE WORST. I have days where I think to myself, ‘I just don’t care because I want to just do absolutely nothing today instead. But God? He doesn’t mess up or have bad attitude days. He ALWAYS shows up & is present & ready to be our help, our strength, our joy, & our wisdom. I am weak… & that’s why I need Him. YOU are weak (sorry, not sorry)… & that’s why I show up… to point you ever to our constant source of HOPE–HIM (& to remind myself the same).”

I don’t have a great attitude right now. It’s not the worst, but it’s also not the best. I’m tired. I want to neglect this ‘showing up’ & just do nothing today. I want to choose comfort. That’s my true heart… my fleshly, comfort-idolizing heart.

But… God is worth showing up for… even at my not-so-great… even at my worst.

He’s Worth Showing Up For

So, yeah… God… He’s worth showing up for… even on my off days.

He made me, knit me together. (Psalm 139:13-16)

He loves me so much He sent Jesus to pay MY debt to Him so I would have a chance to be reconciled & forgiven. (John 3:15-17)

He sustains me & guides me & comforts me when all hope feels lost. (Psalm 142:5; Proverbs 3:5-6; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

He is my light in my days of darkness. (Psalm 119:105)

He is my comfort when I cry out to Him when anxieties mount against me. (Psalm 94:19)

He guides me & directs me as I seek His wisdom. (Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:5)

He cares so much about me & is so patient & faithful & gentle & forgiving & kind. (1 John 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

I don’t deserve Him & yet He keeps giving & forgiving.

He’s worth showing up for.

Just Show Up… & Surrender to His Help Every Step

Let Him be your enough, too. Choose true joy, by living a life of surrender to Him—surrender to His strength, His forgiveness, His guidance, His comfort, His GRACE, His LOVE.

Shine HOPE by taking your NOT ENOUGH & showing up anyway, determined to cling to Him & honor Him & live a life to please Him by & through His help EVERY step of the way.

Because He’s worth showing up for.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over 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!!

Elise Bracelet (Peru)

Interlocking silver links create an intricately woven metal rope that forms the exquisite Elise Bracelet. Peruvian Artisans weave links together to create a rope-like design, truly creating a work of art. The Elise Bracelet is handcrafted in Peru in a workshop committed to empowering the next generation with traditional Artisanal skills training. Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty in Peru.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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

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

Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!

Surrendering to Hope

If you have ever faced tragedy, this is a question that could possibly have crossed your mind: “How am I supposed to hope in God when all feels hopeless?”

Lately, I have been talking a lot about the topic of surrender. (You can read those, here: “Surrender to God When His Plan Contradicts Yours” & “True Joy Comes in Living a Life of Surrender”). Well, this topic is really no different, but I want to share an encouragement with you to start off this conversation.

Let’s Start with Some Encouragement

Just like I mentioned last week, when I surrender to God on any given occasion, I am not numbing myself from what I want (to keep myself from hating God). Nor am I just tossing it to the wind as if to say, “Fine, whatever. I guess I don’t get what I want then,” hoping against all hope that maybe God will someday “change His mind.”

It’s not a surrender to the numbing. It’s not a surrender to the whatever happens, fine.

It’s an ENTRUSTING to an Almighty God who loves you so much that even knowing you wronged Him, knowing you could never do enough to “even the scales,” & knowing you could never hope to be good enough to earn reconciliation with God because of your fleshly sin nature… He made a way possible for that by sending Jesus, Who WILLINGLY paid your debt for you so you could receive forgiveness & reconciliation to God if you but put your faith & hope in HIM.

And it is no different when tragedy comes crashing through your life like a devastating tornado of destruction, ripping apart your hopes & dreams & everything you love… When everything turns hopeless.

How to Hope in God When All Feels Hopeless?

So, I ask again. HOW can you hope in God when all feels hopeless?

It’s a valid question from the perspective of human flesh. We can’t see what He sees. We can’t KNOW what He knows. And to us, to me (sometimes too often), it feels incomprehensible that a God who gave SO MUCH to express His love for me, through Jesus, could ever do anything or ALLOW anything that could crush me so deeply.

But He does. He does allow it sometimes.

And yet… He is still GOOD.

How can that be?

Obedience Breeds Trust

I have been down that path many times. Struggling with depression throughout most of my life, I have gone down some pretty dark paths & questioned this very thing many, many times before.

Do you happen to remember a post I did last year maybe? About how we ought to “Want to Trust God? Obey Him”? How I incorrectly tried to seek how I can trust God better SO I can obey Him better? How I thought that seemed a righteous goal to pursue, but later, God helped me to understand the distrust & the selfishness it displayed because it was a sort of “vetting process” where I wanted to know I believed God & understood everything to my comfort level before I would be willing to obey Him? I wanted the control.

How the Truth of it is that Trust is actually bred OUT OF obedience, because it is ONLY through a taking of God at His Word—before I have vetted it—& obeying first, that I can actually step back & see, “WOW, that made NO sense to me, but I did it because He said to & it actually WORKED!!”

I Have Asked Those Questions

The same is true in the midst of tragedy & devastation.

It is in those moments we often most want to scream for a way to trust God somehow, some way to get through this & when it stays hard & it doesn’t get better, we want to scream AT Him. We want to pull away in bitter hurt. We want to turn our back & give Him the silent treatment because our prayers seem to be falling on deaf ears & the more we pray, the more silence we feel in return, & the fear becomes, “if I ask one more time without relief from Him, I am afraid of what that will do to my faith or how I would end up dishonoring God with my anger, so I will just stop asking because I can’t handle more of it.”

Anyone else? Just me?

I have been through those dark days. I have craved an end to my life. I have been in a place that my deepest anger was the fact that I was too afraid of hurting others by ending my life because I wanted to just end it already. End the pain. End the struggle. End the hopeless, crushing weight that I carried.

I have been there. I have asked those questions. I have wondered how to hope in God when all feels hopeless.

Back to Surrender

And back again to surrender… to the entrusting… to the obeying first to build the trust we crave… where all the pieces slide into place….

How can you hope in God when all feels hopeless?

By determining to trust in God & His goodness & His love & His sacrifice for you–even when all hope feels lost.

You may not feel it. You may feel hopeless. But DETERMINE to cling to TRUTH, even when you feel it just can’t be.

Entrust the pain & circumstance to Him… to His goodness.

A Desperate Prayer of Surrender… to HOPE

Be willing to drop to your knees & say, “God, I get it. I live in a world FULL of sin because we all have sin. And as a result, I know that sin causes pains & hurts to plague this world.. But this pain is TOO MUCH. I can’t bear it. I’m too weak. I’m crumbling beneath the weight of this. I CAN’T HOLD IT ANYMORE! Help me. Please. I know, deep down, somehow some way… that You ARE Good. I don’t see it right now. All I see is my painful circumstances. But somehow… I know it’s true even if I can’t see it right now. Help me cling to You, Father. My grip is weak. PLEASE help me hold on. BE my strength. I don’t have enough. I need You. Please be my help. Be my shelter in this storm. Be my enough. Hold me. Help me to keep crying out to You & be my comfort through this valley of death & darkness. ‘Lord, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod & Your staff, they comfort me.’ (Psalm 23:4) Remind me that ‘You go with me & You never leave me, nor forsake me.’ (Deuteronomy 31:6) Keep my eyes on You as the storm rages on & don’t let me be swept away in it. Be my anchor. Be my steady, firm ground. Help me to praise You still, even when all feels lost. With You, there is always hope & I don’t see how that can POSSIBLY be right now, but help me to trust You with it despite all appearances. Help me to be obedient in my hope, even if I am not sure how yet to trust You in this. In Jesus’ wonderful, mighty name, AMEN.”

He Is with You Always, Even to the End of the Age

Don’t give up, dear one. Don’t let satan tear you to shreds through this trial or any to come… even if you have to cry in a whispered breath, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

Put on your armor, GOD’S armor, as demonstrated to us in Ephesians 6:10-18.

DETERMINE to cling to the GOODNESS of God, even if you can’t see it right now.

Shine HOPE, by demonstrating hope in God even when all feels hopeless, knowing He is fully worth your entrusting of your worst trial to Him.

It is okay to not be okay. It’s okay to not be enough. That is why we ALL NEED HIM.

Coming Next Week

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

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

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

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my newly added FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts”!***)

This blog/website has been running for over 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!!

Caribbean-Coast-Bracelet (Haiti)

This ethically made green, turquoise, and light blue bracelet from Haiti features three genuine amazonite stone beads and coordinating glass beads accented with silver-plated accent beads. Designed to coordinate with the Willow Bracelet the naturally varying shades of genuine amazonite stone make each stretch-to-fit Caribbean Coast Bracelet unique! Every purchase provides jobs for women in areas of extreme poverty in Haiti and helps mamas keep their babies out of poverty orphanages.

How You Can Help the Artisans & Support My Website:

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

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

Surrender to God Brings Joy

Last week, we talked about how we ought to surrender to God’s plan when it contradicts our own will. (Read that post, here: “Surrender to God When His Plan Contradicts Yours”) But really, to find true joy in life, everything in our life requires surrender… every little bit of it.

The wonderful thing about that fact is the truth that as we surrender to God’s will & His help in every little thing, big or small, we begin to take so much of the weight & burden off our own shoulders & place it on His very capable, inexhaustible shoulders (Matthew 11:28-30).

Everything takes surrender, whether it be a bad attitude, feeling gloomy or frustrated or even days where you feel like rolling your eyes at everything… & even on a good day, when you think you have it all together & you’re just rockin’ it—because doing what seems right in our own eyes, no matter how righteous it seems, will ALWAYS fall short of deferring to God in any given moment. We need Him.

Let’s go through some areas that require daily surrender.

Rise & Shine? Or Waking Up with the Grumpies?

When I begin my day, it’s my morning attitude & sleepy grumpiness that I must surrender first. My alarm goes off & I confess, my initial response is NOT “Riiise & shiiine, & give God the glory, glory!!” (Anyone else have camp leaders sing that to your hall every morning… oh LORD, I needed to pray for patience & grace those mornings!)

But, NO, that is not my usual first feeling. Normally, I groan in disgust, pinch my eyes shut in annoyed defiance to the required wakeup time, roll out of bed slowly, unwillingly… & pray something like, “God, I’m sorry. Please forgive my bad attitude. I am SO tired I just want to go back to sleep! Please help me honor You today & help my attitude get in shape this morning. Help me not ruin my own day with my own bad attitude. Help me give You glory today instead. AMEN.”

Surrender.

God Asked Me to Do It, But _____________________

Sometimes the need for surrender comes in those moments where I feel an annoying little nudge-prompting from God to do something that intimidates me or something for which I feel ill-equipped. My heart rears back & I feel fear & defiance & anxiety take root.

It’s when I feel too busy to handle it… or too easily distractable… or too worn out… or too ________________________. Distractions & inadequacies & obstacles seem to come in every shape or form when I feel anxious about something God asks of me.

And then God whispers over my heart the reminder that whatever He asks of me, whether a habit I need to get to making, or an area of obedience I am avoiding, or a task to speak to or help someone… no matter what it is… HE will take care of the details & the how. I just have to be willing to say, “Yes, Lord. Show me how. You know this scares or intimidates me because I want to be honoring to You, but practically, I don’t know how to do this. But if it’s something that honors You, I need to remember that You WILL help me to do it if I just be willing to let You. Don’t let any obstacle or limitation keep me from trusting You can make it happen anyway. Show me how & give me the strength to do it… & I will do it. AMEN.”

Surrender.

Love & Pray for My ENEMIES?

Or, here’s a good one. You know the verse that says to “love our enemy & pray for those who persecute us?” (Luke 6:27-36) Sometimes someone is straight up RUDE to me & they know it & they just don’t care one bit. Or, they are completely & utterly CLUELESS to how their bad attitude is being directed at me & so don’t feel the need to apologize at all.

Is my natural reaction to love & pray for them? NO! A BIG no. I want to throat punch them & tell them to shape up. I want to DEMAND the injustice & unkindness be righted.

What I DON’T want… is to be gracious (remember, by DEFINITION, grace is UNdeserved.)

I have to take a deep breath, swallow my righteous anger (because really, I have a right to be angry, but God instructs us to be angry & NOT SIN. (AKA no hatred & yes to loving them & praying for them instead), (Ephesians 4:26-32) & I have to stop & pray: “God… GOD… You saw that. I know You heard what they said & that You feel the hurt it caused me. I want it made RIGHT! I want justice. I want an apology. I want to scream. But I know bitterness & grudges & bottling up my anger doesn’t please You. You want me to love them & pray for them. HOW?!? Help me forgive them. Help me give grace. Help me remember I am just as in need of grace as they. Help me to leave it in Your hands & trust You to handle it. Show me how I can possibly love them. Teach me how. Love them through me & teach me to pray for them versus stewing in it or slandering them over it. Please help me. AMEN.”

Surrender.

So Many Things Don’t Go My Way… & Surprisingly, That Always Ends Up Being a Good Thing

And then there are my plans & goals & dreams, like I talked about last week. Sometimes God says “no.” Sometimes He says, “not right now” & sometimes the “when”not right now” seems so far off or so unclear that you’re not even sure if maybe it’s actually a NO. And it hurts.

Maybe it’s lacking a relationship & you wonder if you’ll be single forever (been there), watching your younger siblings & friends get married while you are yet to have any true prospects (again, been there). Everyone else seems to be enjoying marital bliss but you.

Or maybe it’s a job or career path that ever seems to be slipping out of your grasp or you feel like you’re floating through life, still completely unsure of “what you want to be when you grow up.” Everyone else seems to have it figured out but you. (I can also relate).

Maybe it’s wanting children, but every month you are hit again with the realization that it won’t be this time around. And that happens over & over & over again & you wonder why it seems God won’t answer that for you. Everyone else seems to have a happy family with game nights & camping trips & time with cousins… but you arrive childless to every family gathering. (That was my heart hurt for MANY years, although God has grown me to appreciate the different plan He has had for us. Read about that story, here: “To the Barren Woman.”)

Maybe it’s a prolonged illness, a bad diagnosis, a terrible injury, a mental disorder, or a trauma that seems to haunt you on the daily. Everyone else seems capable & able to live life to the fullest, but you feel stuck, missing out & held back against your will.

I could go through so many maybes, but the truth is, sometimes life just doesn’t happen the way we so, SO want it to.

And that takes surrender. Surrendering to GOD’S will when it seems so opposite your own. DETERMINING to cling to Him & trust His GOODNESS, to trust HIM. No matter what.

True Joy Comes in Living a Life of Surrender

EVERY decision He makes, as absolute authority over heaven & earth is ALWAYS meant for BOTH His glory & your GOOD. Always. 100%.

True joy comes in living a life of surrender, whether it’s my attitude, or little choices in how I respond or treat a situation, or being obedient to Him even when I don’t want to or it’s hard, or facing the fact that God’s plan may not line up AT ALL with mine.

It brings true joy to surrender to Him in all things because STRIVING after & CLINGING to & DEMANDING to have your way happen or that you DESERVE to feel that way or react that way… when we do that, we hurt ourselves.

Let God take on that heavy weight. And let Him carry YOU. Let Him care for & comfort you.

Say, “God, I don’t like the way this is turning out & I want to be bitter & mad at You even. I’m sorry for that, but it’s the truth. I don’t understand why You would allow this to be my life. How can You say you love me & allow this to be my life? I don’t understand. But I want to trust You. I want to trust that You’re still good & that somehow You know what You’re doing & that You’re even ENOUGH for me in this plan I DO NOT like. Help me. I really want to believe You, but it hurts so much. Help me fall back on You & know that You will be there to catch me. Help me stop striving & to start abiding in You & Your comfort & Your enoughness. Show me how. Teach me. Help my broken, bitter heart. Forgive me. Amen.”

Surrender IS Hard, But It WILL Change Your Life for the Best

It’s called surrender because it means the giving up of your way of doing or handling things, of giving up the way you’ve always wanted things to go… of choosing His will over your own.

But that’s where true & lasting joy breeds… in a surrendered-always-to-Him LIFE.

It seems nonsensical that by giving up the way we feel things should be handled or how I want MY life to go… that it will somehow make things better? But we’re not just throwing it all away to chance & then hoping at least some good will come of it, resigning to just giving up or numbing ourselves to what we want so we can bear to carry on… no, we’re ENTRUSTING that difference & contrast to an Almighty God who LOVES us so very much & Who sent Jesus to pay your debts so you could be set free from your due punishment.

He wants what is best for you & He KNOWS what is best for you… even if you think it doesn’t look very much like how you would want it… That’s a GOOD thing when you consider Who is doing the planning!

So, shine HOPE in your life by determining to choose surrender in the big & the small every single day & let HIM be GOD of your life. AMEN!

Coming Next Week

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A Note from Michelle:

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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!!

Kaia Earrings (Philippines)

These elegant eco-friendly earrings feature ethically sourced, sustainable, capiz shells that local families harvest from the bottom of the sea surrounding the Philippine islands. Artisans handcraft these natural capiz shells into blue ombré teardrop shapes and then wrap them in silver-tone metal frames before adding silver-tone fishhook ear wires.

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

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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!

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Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!