Drama Free Zone

“I’ve always been under the impression that it would be such a bummer to be in a peaceful place like Hawaii or the tropics and be stressed about catching waves.”  Shaun White

If there’s any place that should be a peaceful place of peace, shouldn’t it be a church? Too often that’s not the case. Yet, we’re committed that Grace Church must be such a place. So, let me say this as kindly as possible – if you’re a negaholic, Grace is not the place for you.

  The Bible teaches that God’s people must be the most positive. Being a peace-lover is supremely biblical! We don’t have meltdowns because we know this world is all temporary. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

  Under the inspiration of the Spirit, Paul penned those words. They’re life-changing. Yet, if anyone suffered or had reason to be negative, critical, depressed or down in the dumps, it was the Apostle Paul. Read 2 Corinthians 11. It’s a Big Wow chapter! 

  It’s understandable why those who don’t know Christ are addicted to negativity. For them, this world is all there is. It’s save the earth, save the country, save the whales, save the roaches. (Okay, I don’t think there’s a “save the roaches” group, but it’s probably because no one has thought of it yet.) Yet, it’s sinful when a Christian is habitually negative.

  Bad news garners media ratings. Good news doesn’t. Recently, a six-year-old was abducted down south. Within 20 minutes the same media report was repeated. Think about it. There are 1.3 million children in Wisconsin. None of them were abducted. Many of them can’t spell “abduction.” There are 74 million children in the U.S. None of them were abducted.

  Is it tragic for this one child? Yes, but there’s more danger in driving than being abducted. 3,250 people are killed each day in a car accident.

  Our culture is addicted to bad news. Sadly, Christians and churches aren’t immune. If you complain about something on social media, more will read it and comment on it (usually, agreeing with you). Controversy sells. If you’re negative, you’ll have a bigger audience. Yet, if it’s a sin to complain (Phil. 2:14), why is it a habit for too many Christians?

  We’ve forgotten that we’re the people of the resurrection – new life! When Jesus rose from the dead, He brought forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, humility, kindness, and grace. We’re not to wait to get Home to begin enjoying it. It’s all the stuff we long for and truly want.

  Here’s what I propose – Let’s make Grace Church a Drama Free Zone. It doesn’t mean that people with burdens or heartaches are unwelcome. It doesn’t mean we don’t seek to improve or strive for excellence. It doesn’t mean we ignore real problems. It does mean though that we leave the petty, trivial and negativity outside.

  Every Sunday we have folk who enter our doors and this is their small island of peace in their very storm-filled world. Some have families where there’s constant bickering. Some are seeking to hold their marriage together. Some carry the scars of grief. Some are battered and bruised from a divorce. Many will go to a tension and even hostile filled workplace on Monday. Some struggle with addiction. Others work to keep suicidal thoughts at bay or other emotional issues like depression or anxiety. Most of us have at least one sin habit that constantly trips us up (Hebrews 12:1). More have a medical report causing them concern. Others are worried about financial issues. The list of burdens and heartaches truly is endless.

  Will you partner with me to help make our church an oasis of godly peace? That it will be a safe place to relax and not have to watch your six. A place of love, grace, encouragement, and acceptance, not because we’re perfect BUT because we have such an awesome Heavenly Father…and someday we will all be perfect!

  If you find that more negative thoughts go through your mind than godly ones – then by His grace – obey His Word and change! I loved it when I visited Karyn Borucki in ICU and asked her for her favorite verse. She’s in a hospital bed in ICU  but her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:8. It was awesome! I felt like I was on holy ground!

  If you find more negative things come of out of your mouth than godly and encouraging words, change and determine to obey Ephesians 4:29.

  Negativity quenches the Spirit. It hurts our church and harms you. It’s ruining your life. Studies show that while positive thinking too quickly wears off, negative thinking sticks with us for weeks. It damages relationships. If you continually think and communicate the worst, you repel people. They dodge you like you’re a skunk.

  It will even make you sick. Negative thinking drives up our stress levels, leads to heart attacks and other health problems, including dementia.

  Sadly, some don’t want to grow or change. They refuse to repent of the sin of their attitude or tongue. They seem to derive some weird satisfaction in stirring things up and spreading bad news. They’re complainers and gossips. They can always tell you what’s wrong and how bad it is.

  If that’s you, if you like to pull others aside and whisper in corners or spread doom and gloom, let me say this is as kindly as I can – please find another church. If you refuse to repent, stop going to church. It’d be better for you to go to an online church so a physical church doesn’t have to worry about your malware.

  At Grace we are committed to being a spiritual clinic. We want to keep the spiritually healthy healthy and help the bruised and hurting to heal. We’re committed to being a place of godly peace, a place where we’re loved because of our Father’s infinite love. We can’t be what God desires us to be if someone though is a carrier of the sinful virus of negativity.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.