Drama

​Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word – it gives principles that are the exact opposite of what everyone does around you.  It will set you apart.  Like the wise, above the fool.  I turned the television on last night, and was painfully flipping through channels.  Every time I came to a show I had to click past it.  I was surprised to see how many ‘Reality Shows’ were on TV.  Housewives of somewhere, or the perpetual dating shows, that recycle the selfish and the needy.  Ironically scripted, or at least orchestrated, I guess for many people, they are reality.  It’s how they live their life, it’s what their relationships look like – one continuous drama.  Men and Women – old enough to know better, all dressed up, but ugly on the inside.  Embarrassingly immature, completely selfish, and overweening with pride.  They call it drama.  Many people’s lives are consumed with drama.  It’s like a grass fire, once it you can’t put it out – it just continues wherever you go.  It’s almost laughable, but so uncomfortable that you soon realize, there is nothing of value in watching this.  Better to watch a ball game, or an old movie.  Have you ever wondered why some people cannot escape the drama in their life?  It just hangs on like a bad odor.  Is that you?  Why are some people always trapped in drama?  They are unaware of the wisdom of God.  That’s what I love about God’s Word – it gives you stuff that works.  Drama comes from lack of humility, lack of honoring, lack of preferring, and deferring.  God’s Word gives basic principles to follow when interacting with people.  Let another praise you, and not your own mouth, someone else, and not your own lips.  Trash talk is just that – trash.  You don’t need to.  Why?  Those who are the best, don’t need to say anything.  It’s obvious.  Those who talk about themselves, and what they think or do or accomplish – are completely lacking in decorum, and awareness.  Talking about yourself – doesn’t increase your accomplishment, it just diminishes your reputation in the eyes of others.  Say Nothing Harmful. This is not a habit of many people.  God says do not slander. Say nothing that would steal someone's reputation, or lessen them in the eyes of others.  There is no need to speak of the failures, or mistakes, or shortcomings of others.  No, you don’t know what they’re thinking, you’re just assuming – but you don’t know.  You’re not God, and you cannot see in their mind.  The devil is the accuser of the brethren.  And if your words are pointing out the poor decisions of others – you are merely doing the devil’s work.  Sometimes people try to bait you. Do you engage with them?  Philippians 2:14 – Do everything without grumbling or arguing (murmuring, complaining or disputing).  God is saying don’t get into arguments with people. It’s foolish, and needless.  If they have an opinion, let it be.  It’s not your job to fix them, nor is your job to correct them.  Verse 15 – so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation.  Then you will shine like stars in the sky.”  That is so true.  What if a person like that would be on one of those shows? (they wouldn’t be) but they would, they would surely stand out.  Someone who declines to participate in foolish disputes, arguments over words - they stand out like a light on a hill. Wisdom sets you above the fray.  That means when someone comes at you.  Choose not to respond in kind.  You’ll find an interesting thing.  Just like God says let another praise you and not your own mouth. They will. And equally, if you decline to get baited into needless argument, there will often be another who rises up to defend you.  And if not, it doesn’t matter.  So what should you do that will demonstrate the wisdom of God – to insure a Drama-Free life?  #1  Don’t Talk about yourself – Listen to others.  Be more about understanding their viewpoint, than promoting and defending your own.  Better to ask questions and seek clarification so you learn the heart of others, it’s how you demonstrate God’s love for them.  Everyone longs to be heard.  Sometimes silence after their foolishness – jolts them into the realization that they might be missing something.  If they are a little off, or misled, now isn’t always the time to correct them.  If you hear them, they will feel loved.  And you are much more likely to be turned to truth, by someone who loves you – not someone who beats you over the head with it.  #2) Don’t accuse, slander, or berate anyone.  Say Nothing Harmful.  Don’t you be the start of any argument.  Only speak life.  If you can’t, be silent.  But there is always something you can say that is positive or encouraging, or that will diffuse, or redirect the conversation to something more beneficial.  Loving people, doesn’t mean loving everything they say or do.  Just don’t you be the one – who accuses, slanders, or says any negative thing.  There is no need for it.  Words always lead to either unity or division.  #3) Don’t take the bait.  When attacked, you don’t need to fight back.  Most people diss others.  It’s the culture.  They can’t help but say something negative about you – “Well I’m not going let them talk crap about me.”  Why?  Where is that in the Bible?  Why do you have to defend yourself against someone who doesn’t know you, and isn’t telling the truth?  God said, “An undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.”  It doesn’t say if you defend yourself successfully against it… It just says – it won’t stick… so don’t worry about it.  Don’t waste your energy defending yourself, maybe you need to be more selective about those you spend your time with.  #4) Know When To Be Silent.  It should be your default.  And when you speak.  Always speak life.  Praying that you will review the PRISM Topics – Speak Life, Listen, and Shut Up.  There’s just something about getting God’s Word into the warehouse of your mind.  The Holy Spirit – can easily retrieve it in the moment that you need it.  If you know the Word of God – it will set standards for your action, and communication – that will become habits, and first reactions which are the opposite of common foolishness.  Wisdom will reside in you, and with wisdom comes wealth, honor, and life.  Praying that you will never get caught up in drama.  That you will never start it, nor be drawn into it.  It’s not what the wise do, leave that to others… 
 
Love you all,
dad