In this week's message, Bill shares how holding on to offenses and hurts can create a dangerous and unsanitary heart. It not only destroys the view of ourselves, but also the ability to maintain healthy relationships with God and others.

We often justify our hoarding by believing we are vindicated, special, and safe. How? We believe that when we hold onto our offenses, it punishes our offender. When we collect our hurts, we feel like a special sufferer. When we wall up our hearts, we think we are keeping ourselves safe from being hurt again.

But when we choose to live with our bitterness and hurts, we've forgotten that we are also capable and guilty of hurting others and God. Yet we have been shown mercy and forgiveness by our Father in Heaven. So when we focus on our own hurts, we lose sight of what Jesus suffered for us. God reminds us in His word that the way out is repentance and forgiveness: Colossians 3:13 — "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."