Bishop's Corner

Life can sometimes be difficult and very challenging.  You may have encountered people along life's journey who may have hurt you physically or emotionally -- the abandonment of a father, the abuse or infidelity of a spouse, the rejection of loved ones, or a co-worker plotting to block your promotion.  The list can go on and on about the suffering and emotional pain you may have experienced because of the wrongs done to you at the hands of others.  There are some who carry these hurts in their lives for years° never allowing themselves to be freed of the people who have hurt them.  Instead of moving forward, they strengthen the shackles that bind them even the more into bitterness and deep emotional anguish. This mental and emotional bondage causes them to become a totally different person than what they were; no longer living life with a positive purpose, or going after their dreams with high expectations, because they relive the offense or experience repeatedly through the tormenting memories of the person(s) who hurt them. 

It is not my intention to appear insensitive or heartless toward your pain or hurt, because what was done to you may be totally wrong, and your feelings totally justified; and no one should go through sufferings at the hand of others.  But as sad as it is to say, these things happen. I personally have been hurt by people and believe me it is not always something you can just walk away from.  I have learned, however, that the more I hold on to the wrongs that people have done to me or said about me, the more control that individual has over me.  When this happens, I am no longer living my life, but instead, l am living a life of pain and emotional scars placed on me by others. 

There is a way to be set free from these hurts and offenses, however, and live life to the fullest despite the pain caused by people – it's called FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness is powerful!  It can set you free from all the pain and hurt caused by others in your life.  When you choose to forgive people, they no longer have control over your life and emotions in any way. Jesus was the perfect example of this sentiment.  While He was dying on the cross, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34 NLT) Our Lord refused to allow the wrongs done to Him by people to keep Him from His purpose and destiny in life.  He chose to love His enemies by asking our Heavenly Father to forgive the ones who hated and hurt Him. Love is more powerful than hate! Jesus refused to allow the offenses of people to make Him into something that He is not -- He is not full of bitterness or emotionally scarred by the wrongs we have committed toward Him.  Forgive others so God can also forgive you when you fall short.  Forgiveness is not optional, but a direct command spoken by Jesus Himself in Mark 11:25-26 "But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too." (NLT) 

My friend, it is time to be free from the wrongs people have done to you.  Forgiveness is not an option, but it's still a choice; we must choose to follow Jesus' instructions.  Many of the people who wronged you have moved on and possibly forgotten the incident altogether.  Whatever the case, let it go today.  FORGIVE and LIVE this year!  LOVE and BE FREE this year!  It's a choice; THIS YEAR, CHOOSE LIFE!

Life can sometimes be difficult and very challenging.  You may have encountered people along life's journey who may have hurt you physically or emotionally -- the abandonment of a father, the abuse or infidelity of a spouse, the rejection of loved ones, or a co-worker plotting to block your promotion.  The list can go on and on about the suffering and emotional pain you may have experienced because of the wrongs done to you at the hands of others.  There are some who carry these hurts in their lives for years… never allowing themselves to be freed of the people who have hurt them.  Instead of moving forward, they strengthen the shackles that bind them even the more into bitterness and deep emotional anguish. This mental and emotional bondage causes them to become a totally different person than what they were; no longer living life with a positive purpose, or going after their dreams with high expectations, because they relive the offense or experience repeatedly through the tormenting memories of the person(s) who hurt them. 

It is not my intention to appear insensitive or heartless toward your pain or hurt, because what was done to you may be totally wrong, and your feelings totally justified; and no one should go through sufferings at the hand of others.  But as sad as it is to say, these things happen. I personally have been hurt by people, and believe me it is not always something you can just walk away from.  I have learned, however, that the more I hold on to the wrongs that people have done to me or said about me, the more control that individual has over me.  When this happens, I am no longer living my life, but instead, l am living a life of pain and emotional scars placed on me by others. 

There is a way to be set free from these hurts and offenses, however, and live life to the fullest despite the pain caused by people – it's called FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness is powerful!  It can set you free from all the pain and hurt caused by others in your life.  When you choose to forgive people, they no longer have control over your life and emotions in any way. Jesus was the perfect example of this sentiment.  While He was dying on the cross, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34 NLT) Our Lord refused to allow the wrongs done to Him by people to keep Him from His purpose and destiny in life.  He chose to love His enemies by asking our Heavenly Father to forgive the ones who hated and hurt Him. Love is more powerful than hate! Jesus refused to allow the offenses of people to make Him into something that He is not -- He is not full of bitterness or emotionally scarred by the wrongs we have committed toward Him.  Forgive others so God can also forgive you when you fall short.  Forgiveness is not optional, but a direct command spoken by Jesus Himself in Mark 11:25-26 "But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too." (NLT) 

My friend, it is time to be free from the wrongs people have done to you.  Forgiveness is not an option, but it's still a choice; we must choose to follow Jesus' instructions.  Many of the people who wronged you have moved on and possibly forgotten the incident altogether.  Whatever the case, let it go today.  FORGIVE and LIVE this year!  LOVE and BE FREE this year!  It's a choice; THIS YEAR, CHOOSE LIFE!