Self-Surrender Vs. Self-Empowerment
Last week, I talked about our need to urge self-surrender over self-empowerment.
In other words, the reminder that we don’t need to convince ourselves “we are enough” but that despite NOT being enough, God IS & He loves us AS IS.
This idea that to accomplish more of what matters in this life—God’s will & purposes—we need to surrender more of ourselves to HIS “enoughness,” rather than convincing ourselves &/or each other that WE are capable & enough.
The Dangers of Trusting God’s SOLUTIONS More Than We Trust GOD
I like to feel in control… In control of my own happiness, comfort, & life. I want to know I can rely on things working out my way & be able to grasp some means of making that happen predictably.
But God calls me to rely on Him & not on myself… to build my house on Him—our Rock—by walking in obedience & reliance on Him, rather than the sands of unreliable crutches/strongholds that I tend to cling to. (Matthew 7:24-27)
This flows into another topic worth discussing: The dangers of trusting God’s SOLUTIONS more than we trust GOD.
Do I Continue to Turn to Him As My Help?
Have you ever had God answer a prayer so clearly that you could not question it was from Him? And what happens when we get that answer from God? Do we continue to go to Him as our source in every circumstance? Or do we begin to place our hope in that answer?
For example, as I have mentioned recently, when God told Naaman, through the prophet Elisha, to go wash in the Jordan, in 2 Kings 5:10, was the power in that specific body of water? Or was the power in Naaman’s obedience to God?
Or, when Jesus instructed the disciples to catch a fish, find a coin in its mouth, & use that coin to pay their taxes, in Matthew 17:24-27, was the power in that specific type of fish? Or was it in their obedience to Jesus?
Those may sound like silly examples & maybe you’re thinking, “Duh, it’s God. The power is from God,” but how quickly I disprove this supposed trust when I am faced with similar situations.
How Deep Does My Trust in God Really Go?
Lately, I have been working on body stewardship—of not abusing, but rather learning to care for, the body God has made for me.
Well, when we lived in Guam, I used to create my own fitness challenges, with prizes, to help me stay on track & motivate myself forward in better caring for my health–& it worked!
Fast forward over 6 years later, in trying to get back those good habits that I abandoned during a great time of stress for me, & what did I go to as my solution? Those fitness challenges.
It’s not that anything is wrong with those fitness challenges, but that they were what I turned to in my struggle to re-form good habits in my life… versus going to God for His wisdom, guidance, & help.
Did God provide the idea for those fitness challenges back on Guam, to help me overcome some personal hurdles? I believe so, yes. But they were not the source of my help–HE was.
My Resources to You Are Not to Trump PRAYER to GOD for HIS Solution for You
This is why I stress in whatever resources I provide for you—no matter how much they have helped me personally—your ultimate resource is PRAYER.
Maybe my resources can offer help & maybe God will use them to help you overcome a hurdle, just as He used them in my life to do the same… But maybe God knows you need something else instead.
God knows your situation better than I do. God knows your reasons for hesitation, resistance, anxiety, etc. specifically. He also knows what will help your personal hang-ups specifically.
No matter how good a resource & no matter how much it has helped others, the fact remains that ONLY GOD KNOWS what exactly you need.
Where Does My Help Come From? My Help Is from the LORD, The Maker of Heaven & Earth
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven & earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
What or who do you look to for your help? Do you look to your wits or charm? Your “wisdom” or logic? Past successes? The support of others? Your bank account?
Where does YOUR help come from? Where do you look for it?
Shine HOPE by demonstrating that our help is not in past successes, but in relying on & leaning into GOD as our help… by inquiring of Him EVERY time versus assuming we know what’s best… by walking in obedience to HIS lead over our logic. Shine HOPE by always turning to Him in ALL things Big OR Small.
“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, & He shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6) (emphasis mine)
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.
As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.
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A Note from Michelle:
(***Check out the newly updated Resources & Recommendations page!***)
This blog/website has been running for over THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
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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!!
Zoya Earrings (India)
Zoya means “shining, life” in Hindi. These stylishly stunning gold-toned earrings are handcrafted in India, featuring genuine freshwater pearls on a delicate linked-chain design.
Every purchase provides fair-trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India. In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable Artisans in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.
Purchase these earrings & empower an Artisan in India!
How You Can Help:
SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!
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Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!
