Do you have time for drama? I do not! It is hard to avoid these days. Drama is unproductive and consumes too much time and energy. Gossiping, complaining, blaming, and passive-aggressive behavior is distracting and never ends well. Trying to be neutral is also a slippery slope because as you try to stay impartial to a conflict or argument people think if you say nothing then you must be on one side or the other. It is a cycle of mental, emotional, and even professional extortion. Constant conflict is completely destructive and takes a toll on human lives. There is always a negative impact:
Emotional waste: consumes time, energy, and focuses on everything but the work
Drama triangle: alternating roles between the victim (feeling helpless) to the persecutor (blaming others), and rescuer (the fixer of things and others)
Divisiveness: forces people to take sides, creates a sub-group, and destroys cohesion
False Payoffs: rants and temper tantrums provide temporary relief, attention, or a misplaced bonding through shared grievances
The only thing I can really do is focus on managing my own reactions. I can listen without judgment. Hopefully, build some kind of bridge or just let all parties know I am not interested in inserting myself in any way. It can just be very frustrating, but I have to remind myself that we are all human beings.
Psalm 51 was written by King David when he had sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba. The prophet Nathan confronts him about his transgression and David humbles himself to ask for forgiveness for his actions. The whole scripture is an excellent example of an outpouring of heart that is broken from doing wrong, forgiveness, and a peaceful healing that can only come from God.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 5: 10-12).
I just finished a huge study on the historical chronology of the Prophets, Chronicles, and Kings. It has been the most intricate, rewarding, and puzzle-like area of Biblical history. If interested then below the link is available. Here is what I focused on:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19M-kme-XD-btpx7LUFD-R5CzEq4E_fpJyrCQ4vkZG7Y/edit?tab=t.0
1-I had to anchor three distinct perspectives from the Old Testament
2-the Books of Kings is the political anchor as it meticulously tracks the synchronized dates of accession between the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and Southern Kingdom (Judah)
3-the Books of Chronicles is the priestly and spiritual commentary that covers the timeline of Kings but it focuses on the Southern Kingdom
4-the Prophets wrote as active citizens, advisors to kings, or exiled prisoners which embed them directly into the historical moments recorded in Kings and Chronicles
Such a rewarding study and so relevant today as we see so much conflict in the world, society, and in our own inner circles. Take a look:
Blessings to each of you and prayers you hold tight to your inner peace,
dreamsdontfade.com (check out new posts)
Such a great song by Sam Wesley, Holding on to Me, is so touching about finding that inner peace.
In my fear and desperation
You show me just how patient
You are with me
When it feels like you've been hiding
And you just won't break the silence
I'd be lying if I said that you weren't
Holding on to me
Had a hundred thousand glimpses
Shooting stars, so I can't miss it
You let me know there's not a minute
You're not holding on to me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k7pY9zjU0E&list=RD4k7pY9zjU0E&start_radio=1
