Flying High Above the Drama Zone

Have you ever noticed that controversy and disruptive turmoil comes in bursts and gusts? I don't do drama. I refuse to tolerate it. Period. In fact I wrote an extensive post about drama here. Take a look at it if your not really sure what I mean by "drama".

But as much as I try to set personal boundaries to protect myself from it, these little fires of emotions, disunity, disloyalties, betrayals, strife and disruption flare up from time to time. It's unavoidable.

Over the years I've learned how to better deal with it in order to keep from being sidelined by bitterness and fear or sucked into the vortex of the "Drama Zone". Perhaps you find your life's orbit being threatened by this battle. Here are some hard-learned ideas to keep your spirit flying high:

Stay in stealth mode- I find that when there is some talk going around, flying below the radar keeps me from being sucked in. I avoid weighing in over social media. I stay away from social gatherings where the drama fiends feed. And, I get my inner circle to gently insulate me from the fray by steering clear of certain subjects, people and gatherings for a time. In other words, I lay low and keep my mouth shut.

Activate your prayer shields- Warfare prayers here can be so powerful. Never let the enemy get a leg up over the things you care about. Do your fighting before the throne and not on the phone. God is just. He is fair. He will prevail. Let Him fight for you. Get a trusted partner to support you and keep you accountable about not taking your opinions public. Let your churning emotions dissipate as you talk it out to your Heavenly Counselor.

Set phasers to stun- If you get cornered into a situation where you simply must take a position in the mix, choose your responses with great care. It's almost a guarantee that you will be misquoted, misinterpreted, or misunderstood somewhere, so be deliberate about what you say. Be prepared to back it up with scripture. Say it only to the right person at the right time with the right heart attitude. Try to deal in facts and solutions, and set emotions aside whenever possible. Resist the urge to vent. It will only stir up strife.

Our Lord Jesus was sheer perfection about steering clear of drama. He was never afraid of confrontation, He just chose to center His battles on Truth, Love and The Gospel. He shunned political arguments of His day, He avoided petty disputes among religious elitists, He put a stop to rivalry and side-choosing among His followers. He denied Himself the luxury of a gripe session even though it would have felt good and He would have been in the right in the issues! You will never be sorry if you follow His lead. But you may have regrets if you get sucked in.

Psalm 55:9
Confuse the wicked, O Lord, confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.

Proverbs 17:1
Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

Proverbs 18:6
A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

Proverbs 20:3
It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

Proverbs 22:10
Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.

Proverbs 26:20-21
Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Proverbs 30:33
For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife."

Isaiah 58:4
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.

Habakkuk 1:3
Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.

1 Timothy 6:3-5

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

5 Comments

Lori
Thank you once again for this word of truth about a subject that we all struggle with at times. I love the statement "Do your fighting at the throne and not on the phone". You are inspiring and I love your heart! Be blessed! :)

Posted by: Kimberly Johnson | 06/06/2012 at 09:22 AM