3 Ways to Reduce Drama in Your Life in 2017

Happy New Year! (8 days late...oops!)

Already my year is shaping up to be extremely busy. What else is new?

With all of the craziness that is my busy life, I seriously don't have time for unnecessary drama. Life in general - and especially a life in ministry - is fraught with drama and there is no way you can eliminate it all. Relationships are wonderfully complicated and messy things because they are made of people with emotions and circumstances and perceptions and all that stuff that makes life interesting. I have, however, learned a few things in my 29 years and I want to help you out this new year with some tips to decrease dramatically the drama (see what I did there?) in your life.

The good news is this: It's not God's will for you to live in a constant state of anxiety due to drama and strife. If one of your new years' resolutions is to get rid of some drama-that's a good thing! Paul said in Romans 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 He says to pray for all men and those in authority "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." Hebrews 12:14 tells us to "Follow peace with all men..." 

God wants us to live in peace. He wants us to have that inner peace that comes from being filled with his Spirit and submitted to him; and, he also wants us to "follow peace" with other people in our lives. It may take some work on our part; but, we can definitely take some steps in this new year in the right direction.

As I said before, I cannot promise you a completely drama-free life, but what I can propose is some godly wisdom-taken straight out of the Bible-that, if followed, can significantly reduce the amount of unwanted drama in your life. There are three overarching principles that I believe we can extrapolate from the Word of God that can help us with this. 

So here they are:

1. Don't be a fool.

2. Don't be friends with a fool.

3. Don't date/marry a fool. 

There ya have it. Good luck!

...Just kidding, I'll explain. 

First of all, let's define some terms. The book of Proverbs talks a lot about a "fool" and it's the definition given by Proverbs that I'm referring to in all of the above three points. Some characteristics of a "fool" as laid out for us in the book of Proverbs are as follows:

A fool...

... places his/her trust in self rather than in God. (Proverbs12:15, 28:26)
... is a "know it all" (Proverbs18:13)
... doesn't listen (Proverbs 18:2, 12:23)
... meddles in other peoples' business (Proverbs 26:17)
... speaks before thinking (Proverbs 13:16)
... cannot receive correction/discipline (Proverbs 12:1, 17:10)
... is impulsive (Proverbs 14:29, 29:11)
... is full of mischief and commits evil (Proverbs 10:23, 14:9)

To sum up, a fool is self-serving, rash and difficult. In other words, a drama king or queen.

In contrast, the book of Proverbs also has much to say about the wise man or woman. 

A wise man/woman...
... places his/her trust in God and the wisdom of the Bible, understanding that his/her own wisdom is limited. (Proverbs 9:10, 3:5-6, 30:2-6)
... recognizes authority and accepts correction and rebuke, understanding that it is for their good. (Proverbs 9:8)
... is slow to speak; he/she thinks before speaking. (Proverbs 29:11)
... seeks wise council (Proverbs 1:5)
... understands that they are influenced by who they spend time with and therefore choose their friends (and spouse) carefully. (Proverbs 1:10, 22:24-25)

So don't be a fool! Rather, be wise. 

Don't be friends with fools. You can (and should) be friendly to everyone and love some from a distance. But you should surround yourself with wise people. Those in your inner circle should give you something to strive for.

And lastly, if you have not already chosen and married your spouse, be very, very careful and prayerful in this process. Choosing wrongly can cause you a lifetime of...well...drama! But choosing a wise, godly spouse is the absolute best thing you can do besides choosing to serve the Lord.

I encourage you, friends, to start reading/studying the "Proverb of the Day" if you do not already do this. There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. Each day, read the Proverb that corresponds with that day of the month. On months with 30 days you can double up on the last day and in February you can double up chapters on the last couple of days. If you want to put these 3 principles into practice this year, this is one of the best ways to study and absorb the wisdom of Proverbs and to set yourself up for a much more drama-free life. 

Best wishes for 2017! 

 
Kristen