Drop It. Leave It. Let It Go.

Yesterday, I received an email that really got me riled up.

I doubted that the person who sent it meant any offense and it wasn’t a huge deal, but I was so ready to hit “reply” and defend myself.

So I did hit reply and my fingers were poised over the keyboard to let it fly…and then I remembered the verse Jesus had given to me in my quiet time with Him earlier that day:

Keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. —(I Peter 4:8).

Love covers.

Then He spoke to me again through another verse that I am committing to memory:

Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop, leave it, let it go in order that your Father, who is in Heaven  may also forgive you your own failings and shortcomings and let them drop. —(Mark 11: 25, emphasis added).

Drop it. Leave it. Let it go.

“But….”

Drop it. Leave it. Let it go.

You see, I still wanted to send that email. I have never  hesitated to stand up for myself and set someone straight. In my flesh without Jesus, I can be hot-headed and my words can be sharp.

But He wasn’t asking me to set anyone straight. He was asking me to consider my actions carefully. He was asking me to submit to HIS ways, to bring my feelings in line with His Word. He was asking me to show the same mercy and grace to this person as He has shown to me.  He was asking me to trust Him with my reputation. (Note: yes, there are times when  it is important to speak your mind. Being a Christ follower does not mean being a doormat. However, this situation did not call for that. It was simply a bruise to my ego).

I read in the apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church that he made it His aim to please Jesus in all he did. (2 Cor. 5:9). The commentary in my ESV Bible said the following about this verse: “Paul lives his entire life in light of  the hope that his actions will bring delight to God day by day.” 

Would the words I intended to use in that email have brought delight to Jesus?

Was my desire to bring glory to Him?

That would be a big NO. 

Drop it. Leave it. Let it go.

So I did. (After complaining a little more to Jesus). But that’s okay. He is always listening and He cares about every single detail of our lives. He is the only One who can take all our negative feelings and attitudes and not be burdened down by them. He is also the only One who can give us the strength to make another choice. (Philippians 4:13).

Peace reigned in my heart and my sleep was sweet.

The following day, I saw  the writer of the email. Jesus had removed any irritation I felt.

What happened next made me smile. This person apologized and acknowledged that the email had been over the top.

I had kept my peace. I had not said words that I might later regret. I entrusted myself to Jesus.

Unbeknownst to me, He had worked on the writer’s heart and all was well.

I was so grateful that I had kept my big mouth shut and handled things His way. It is a beautiful thing to not have to regret words spoken rashly.

Knowing that this is going to happen again (opportunities for us  to get  offended are numerous), I looked at some Scriptures that teach us how to relate to others and made a list. This helped me immensely and I hope it helps you as well!

When you are offended and want to hit back, ask:

1. Will this display compassion,kindness, humility and gentleness?
2. Can I say or do this in the Name of Jesus?
3. Will this word or deed bring a blessing and give God’s grace?
4. Is what I want to do or say good and beneficial?
5. Will this promote peace and unity?
6. Will this build up or tear down?
7. Will this word or action grieve or sadden Jesus?
8. Am I imitating Jesus in this situation?
9. Am I remembering how much God has forgiven me?
10. Is it kind?
11. Am I following Christ’s example?

What are we commanded to do?

1. Bear with one another, forgiving whatever grievances you may have against on another.
2. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.
3. Whatever you do, whether in world or deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
4. Live with complete lowliness of mind, humility, unselfishness, gentleness, mildness, and patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.
5.Strip yourselves of your former nature (put off and discard your un-renewed self).
6. Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude) and put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image.
7.Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage,bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil speaking, abusive, or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill-will, or baseness of any kind).
8. Walk in love (esteeming and delighting in one another.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. —(Romans 12:18).

(Scripture references: Colossians 3:12,17; Ephesians 4: 1-3, 15, 22, 24, 30-31; Ephesians 5: 1-2)