Connecticut faith leader shares a powerful message about perseverance, healing and the importance of knowing that no one has to face hardship alone.

Connecticut-based Rev. Dr. Yvonne McCoy recently joined The Jose Candelario Show for an open and personal conversation about faith, forgiveness, personal responsibility and the strength required to move through life’s most difficult experiences.

During the interview, McCoy discussed the variety of churches and religious traditions found throughout the New Haven area. While congregations may follow different denominations, customs and styles of worship, she said the most important foundation is that their teachings remain centered on Christ.

The conversation also explored the struggle some people experience when they feel restricted by religious rules or church expectations. McCoy explained that faith is not about finding ways around spiritual standards. Instead, it requires personal reflection, accountability and a willingness to make better choices.

She acknowledged that everyone falls short, but emphasized that repentance, growth and the decisions people make after a mistake are essential parts of the spiritual journey.

“You can control what you choose to do,” McCoy said, explaining that people may not be able to control every circumstance, but they can make decisions about how they respond.

McCoy also spoke about new believers who enter the church filled with excitement and energy but may become discouraged when their lives do not immediately become easier.

She reminded viewers that becoming a Christian does not remove hardship, illness, disappointment or tragedy.

“The key thing is to remember that you’re not going through it alone,” McCoy said. “He’s right there beside you, even when you don’t feel it.”

That message became especially powerful as McCoy shared portions of her own story.

She discussed living with multiple health challenges and how her faith has helped sustain her. While some people may question why a person of faith continues to experience illness, McCoy said healing does not always appear in the way people expect.

“He has healed me because he is sustaining me,” she said. “To be able to live with so many things and still do his will — I know with God, I have his strength to get me through it.”

McCoy also opened up about an extremely painful period in her life when her brother was killed and her mother was dying from pancreatic cancer.

At the same time, she was studying to become an ordained minister and preparing to appear before the board of presbytery in 2006.

McCoy said she cannot fully explain how she made it through that period. She credits her faith with providing the strength she needed when she did not have the emotional or physical strength on her own.

The discussion then turned toward forgiveness and the healing process.

McCoy revealed that she eventually forgave the person responsible for taking her brother’s life. She made it clear that forgiveness did not mean forgetting what happened or excusing the pain that was caused.

“I forgave for me,” McCoy said. “Because if I have an unforgiving heart, how can I expect God to forgive me?”

She explained that forgiveness is not always immediate. Like grief, it can happen in stages and may require time, reflection and honest acknowledgment of the pain.

“There are steps to everything, and there are steps to forgiveness as well,” she said.

McCoy’s story served as a reminder that healing is a process. People may still experience moments of anger, sadness or resentment even after deciding to forgive. However, she believes that continuing to work through those emotions can eventually bring peace and freedom.

The interview concluded with McCoy emphasizing the importance of reaching people one person at a time.

“If you’re able to reach back and touch one, then we did our job,” she said.

Through her ministry and community outreach, Rev. Dr. Yvonne McCoy continues to encourage people to approach life with faith, love and a forgiving heart — even when the road toward healing is difficult.

Watch the full interview to hear more from Rev. Dr. Yvonne McCoy about faith, perseverance, forgiveness and finding strength through God.

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