I'll admit that there are times that I can use the blog to serve my own purpose. That's true of a lot of things. However, what I never want to do is use something that can be a powerful tool and use it as a destructive weapon. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks the way that I do because we see these things happen through the media all the time. While I may not buy into all of the "agenda" talk that is out there, who can deny that at least with some of the things we read & hear that at least one person has an agenda?
I've been thinking about "Drama" today. And by that I don't mean the kind that you would buy a ticket to watch but the type of drama that can play out in our workplaces, our homes, our schools, and even our churches. Over the course of my ministry I have seen drama play out in many different forms and fashions. You come to the realization that some people are more prone to it than others. Some love a good drama while others would rather pull out their fingernails than be involved. According to Proverbs 26:20, there is one proven method to bringing it all to an end. Get rid of the "talebearer" - the gossip - the instigator of drama. Then, and only then, are you guaranteed to bring it to a close.
These words are so simple that it sounds almost too good to be true. However, wisdom is often found in the simplest statements.
Think about:
No Wood = No Fire
No Gossip = No Strife
Pretty simple equation. The question that remains is why would we ever put up with it?
One of the definitions of drama is "an exciting, emotional, or unexpected series of events or set of circumstances." While there are times where we may use this term to define a good situation, I believe most of us know that we tend to use it in the negative. Think about the reality shows that people watch on TV. Why do they watch them? They usually watch to see all the drama played about between the people. They see all the bickering, the fighting, the murmuring, the complaining, etc. and probably sit back thinking that there life isn't quite as bad. The problem is that if we are not careful that we can carry that same junk into our own relationships. My encouragement to you: LOSE THE DRAMA!!!
The best cure available is prevention. Don't say things that you shouldn't say. Don't participate in conversations that you shouldn't have. Don't allow people to use you as a sounding board for their complaints unless you are willing to turn them toward reconciliation. This isn't easy. We want to "be there" for people. But if we don't know how to not get caught up in their stuff, we will find ourselves playing a major role in the latest drama of their lives.
Proverbs 16:28 says, "A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends."
Can the Bible make things any more clear? Learn to detect what is really happening when people want to come to you to "vent." Always turn them toward their personal responsibility to deal with the person one on one. Oftentimes a person will come to you not just to vent but in hopes that you will confirm their issues. It's like the old saying "misery loves company." And if you don't get out of the line of fire then you will be brought down in the flames.
Want a drama free life? Then learn how to deal with those who want to create it. You will discover that life is much more enjoyable when you don't allow it to take place around you. Be fascinated by the goodness of God, learn to love others, and settle in your heart that you don't have to get involved with everything.
No comments:
Post a Comment