Say "NO" to Drama

Drama.  Why would anyone choose to create or live in drama?  Daily life brings enough drama without having to look for it.

For example, both men and women follow television soap operas, where drama is king.  Many are able to recite play by play accounts of misery, gossip, lust, exaggeration, lying and tomfoolery, all which should come under the subheading, “As the Stomach Turns.”  Do they not have enough drama without rehearsing its damaging effects in the lives of paid actors?

In 1 Thessalonians 4:11, Paul tells his beloved church at Thessalonica to “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.”  What was he suggesting?  Paul knew that believers may not be able to shut themselves off from the world, but they certainly don’t have to add to the noise!

This verse is sandwiched between two admonitions that make sense.  In verse 4 the Apostle encourages believers to love one another.  In verses 11-12 he very pointedly tells them, “You should mind your own business and work with your hands, so outsiders respect you and you’re not a burden on anyone.” 

What’s he saying?  I believe his words refer to more than financial freeloaders.  He in essence is saying “Don’t become someone’s project.”  Drama-driven individuals always take, never give – depleting others of precious time and energy.  They suck their “victims” dry, spiritually and emotionally.   We’re all much too busy for that! 

As Christians, of course we desire to come alongside people in their trials and difficulties; but no one wants to join ranks with those bent on making drama their identifying trademark.  Misery may breed company, but that doesn’t mean we have to invite the “drama club” over for supper on Friday evening! 

I have personally declared war on drama in my life and others, because I think that drama is a much lesser choice.  I know people who cannot live drama-free lives because drama has become their “normal.”  Take away the drama and they find themselves stripped of their comfort zone.  It’s sick! 

What does drama look like in those who embrace and coddle it?  I’ve noticed these characteristics:

1.  Individuals who walk into a room and immediately begin sharing drama without caring who’s in the room or even before greeting anyone present are probably drama-driven.  Often, they are loud and obnoxious. 

2.  Individuals who talk only about their problems, illnesses, disappointments, trials or problems non-stop are probably drama-driven.

3.  Individuals who never ask how you are or what’s going on in your life and keep the conversation alive with their woes, are probably drama-driven.

4.  Individuals who put down, blast and criticize their loved ones – children, spouse, grandchildren – and supposed friends are probably drama-driven. 

May I encourage you to not degrade your loved ones in public venues?  First, no one wants to hear it, and your family members deserve your confidentiality.  They deserve your loyalty.  If problems exist, take them to the altar and tell the One who never exposes dirty laundry, or to the counseling room, where confidentiality reigns.  How sad that some people live in such a small, confining world – one that never reaches past their front steps!

Drama-driven people spray poison every time they open their mouth.  In short, they are toxic.  I’ve determined not to give them time or energy.  These sad people generally have few real friends and the ones they do have tend to be toxic as well.  Notice too that competitive toxicity minimizes proper listening skills in drama-driven people, as they furiously vie for attention.  Put them in a room together and they push to “out toxic” one another.  It becomes a crap fest!  I am repelled by such goings on.

Today, I choose to follow Paul’s admonition to “lead a quiet life,” and to love others.  I expect the world to breed toxicity but believers in Jesus should live a cut above hurtful, hateful, harsh toxicity.  Join me by officially declaring war on drama and the toxicity it produces in peoples’ lives.  Lord, give us grace mixed with compassion to righteously and honestly confront drama-driven people. 

Such people need to learn that we who choose to live on the plain of peace and quietness don’t care what goes on in the deep, deep pits of chosen shallowness and disparity.  Life is far too precious and brief to spend it in the drama zone. 

Let’s live in the light of God’s unconditional love so that people say when they leave our presence, “I feel encouraged and better because of my recent interaction.”  God forbid that people want to run the other way when they see us coming.

Death to drama and hooray to those who make conscious efforts to “lead quiet lives!”