What do you think of when you hear the word “drama?” I’m sure a certain person comes to mind & I’m pretty sure none of us would admit that we love it. A typical thing you’ll hear women say is, “Oh! I hate drama!” But if I’m being honest, sometimes Satan can use me to create it. Does he use you? As women, we already add a little emotion to almost every situation…guilty. We get a text…and it hits us wrong. What did they mean by that? Why wasn’t that more encouraging? We hear a comment…and it hits us wrong. Um, excuse me, was that a zing against me? We see other people’s posts…and it hits us wrong. Why is their husband so perfect? Why are they obsessed with posting so many selfies? Nobody looks that good close up…what filter did they use? Why are they ALWAYS posting something to get a rise out of other people? Is it just me or is it ridiculously hard to not get worked up over (the silliest) stuff sometimes?

I have found that lately, in my life, if I come at things with a little different perspective, a little bit of compassion, a little bit of mercy, I view things a little differently. Lately, I have wanted to get back into the Word more. Does anybody else get intimidated by “getting back in the Word”? I don’t know where to start. I don’t understand all of it. It is so much easier to scroll on Instagram than try to focus on reading the Bible and evaluating my heart. I’m a decent person! I make moral decisions. But, as I read in James today, God wants more than a decent moral compass. He wants our obedience. He wants us to look at people the way He does…with compassion. He wants us to seek Him and ask for wisdom.

Two parts of James stuck out to me – James 1:13: “Mercy triumphs judgment!” and James 3:13-18, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace arise a harvest of righteousness.”

Ouch…having all of those self-absorbed, judgmental notions were actually very earthly, unspiritual, and of the devil.

So, as I carry on with my day-to-day activities, maybe I could extend a little more mercy, maybe I could be a little less selfish with my thoughts, maybe I could judge myself more and others a little less, maybe I could be a little more considerate, and maybe…just maybe, have a little less drama.

//His power is made perfect in my weakness// xo, Taylor