Bishop's Corner

Life can sometimes be difficult.  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, the plotting of a co-worker to block your promotion, and so on.   The pain, suffering and emotional anguish you may have endured at the hands of others is real, and there are some who carry these hurts in their hearts for years.  Instead of moving forward, they strengthen the shackles that bind them even more by allowing bitterness to creep in. This mental and emotional bondage then causes them to become a totally different person, which sometimes leads to depression. So, instead of enjoying life or pursuing their dreams, they repeatedly relive the offense or experience, keeping it fresh in their throughs and never forgetting the person(s) who hurt them. 

Dear friend, if this is you, please know that it is not my intention to appear insensitive or heartless toward your pain or hurt, because no one should go through suffering at the hands of others.  Yet, these things happen.  I personally have been hurt by people time and again, and 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 allowing those emotional scars to go deeper and deeper. 

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 others… it’s called FORGIVENESS.  Forgiveness is powerful!  It can set you free from all the pain and hurt you’ve carried for years.  When you choose to forgive people, they no longer have control over your life or emotions.  Jesus was the perfect example of this sentiment.  While He was dying on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34 ESV) Our Lord refused to allow the wrongs done to Him to keep Him from His purpose and destiny.  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.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in Heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25-26 NKJV) 

My friend, it is time to be free from the wrongs people have done to you.  FORGIVE THEM and LIVE!  LOVE and BE FREE!  It’s a choice; CHOOSE LIFE!

Life can sometimes be difficult.  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, the plotting of a co-worker to block your promotion, and so on.   The pain, suffering and emotional anguish you may have endured at the hands of others is real, and there are some who carry these hurts in their hearts for years.  Instead of moving forward, they strengthen the shackles that bind them even more by allowing bitterness to creep in. This mental and emotional bondage then causes them to become a totally different person, which sometimes leads to depression. So, instead of enjoying life or pursuing their dreams, they repeatedly relive the offense or experience, keeping it fresh in their throughs and never forgetting the person(s) who hurt them. 

Dear friend, if this is you, please know that it is not my intention to appear insensitive or heartless toward your pain or hurt, because no one should go through suffering at the hands of others.  Yet, these things happen.  I personally have been hurt by people time and again, and 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 allowing those emotional scars to go deeper and deeper. 

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 others° it's called FORGIVENESS.  Forgiveness is powerful!  It can set you free from all the pain and hurt you've carried for years.  When you choose to forgive people, they no longer have control over your life or emotions.  Jesus was the perfect example of this sentiment.  While He was dying on the cross, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34 ESV) Our Lord refused to allow the wrongs done to Him to keep Him from His purpose and destiny.  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.

"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in Heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses." (Mark 11:25-26 NKJV) 

My friend, it is time to be free from the wrongs people have done to you.  FORGIVE THEM and LIVE!  LOVE and BE FREE!  It's a choice; CHOOSE LIFE!

Life can sometimes be difficult.  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, the plotting of a co-worker to block your promotion, and so on.   The pain, suffering and emotional anguish you may have endured at the hands of others is real, and there are some who carry these hurts in their hearts for years.  Instead of moving forward, they strengthen the shackles that bind them even more by allowing bitterness to creep in. This mental and emotional bondage then causes them to become a totally different person, which sometimes leads to depression.   So, instead of enjoying life or pursuing their dreams, they repeatedly relive the offense or experience, keeping it fresh in their throughs and never forgetting the person(s) who hurt them. 

Dear friend, if this is you, please know that it is not my intention to appear insensitive or heartless toward your pain or hurt, because no one should go through suffering at the hands of others.  Yet, these things happen.  I personally have been hurt by people time and again, and 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 allowing those emotional scars to go deeper and deeper. 

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 others… it's called FORGIVENESS.  Forgiveness is powerful!  It can set you free from all the pain and hurt you've carried for years.  When you choose to forgive people, they no longer have control over your life or emotions.  Jesus was the perfect example of this sentiment.  While He was dying on the cross, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34 ESV) Our Lord refused to allow the wrongs done to Him to keep Him from His purpose and destiny.  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 scared by the wrongs we have committed toward Him.

"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in Heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses." (Mark 11:25-26 NKJV) 

My friend, it is time to be free from the wrongs people have done to you.  FORGIVE THEM and LIVE!  LOVE and BE FREE!  It's a choice; CHOOSE LIFE!