Mark 11:25 (AMPC) says, "And 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."
One of the greatest challenges as a Christian is following the command to forgive. I love how the Amplified version adds some guidance. The Scripture doesn't just tell us to forgive but shows us "how" to forgive. Notice the phrases: "Let it drop." "Leave it." "Let it go."
1. LET IT DROP
Have you ever been in a conversation that started getting heated and then started to boil? The person who has their wits about them finally interjects ... "Drop it." Meaning, it's over, and I'm done talking about this. God is telling you to do the same thing. Drop it.
Decide today to release the person who hurt you. It doesn't mean what they did is okay, it just sets you free. It's over, drop it, and do not ever pick it up again.
2. LEAVE IT
What does it mean to leave? I know that sounds like a strange question, but it paints a great picture of how we are to deal with an offense or hurt. To leave means to "depart from permanently. To disregard, neglect, stop, and to give up." The answer is clear as to how we are to handle unforgiveness.
Turn you back on your past. Let go of the negative thoughts, and the negative emotions will lose their power over you. You're free.
3. LET IT GO
Unforgivness can be like that blanket your child drags to bed with them every night. The blanket is torn, stained, and smelly. Yet, your child is so attached to their "blankie" it doesn't matter, by golly, they're keeping it. I am reminded of the show Hoarders. The hoarder lives in squalor, while their loved ones try to help release what's hurting them. The challenge ... they don't want to "let it go." Unforgiveness is not a possession we want to hold onto. Get rid of it.
Many of us can say, after being wronged, that we have "let it drop." We can also attest to "leaving it behind." We have even decided to "let it go" … only to pick it right back up. God wants us to be done with the pain once and for all. Let it drop and do not pick it up again. Leave it behind, and do not revisit the painful memory. Let it go, and release it for good.
Forgiveness is not a feeling … it's a choice. How do we choose? When people want to talk about the injustice done to you, you choose to talk about something else. When your mind wants to revisit the wrong done to you, you choose to think about all the good things in your life. The more you choose to drop it, leave it, and let it go, the further you get from the pain, and the grip unforgiveness once had on you. Easy? No, but forgiveness is the path to freedom.
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