All the Drama

Being an adult, I've decided, is exhausting. At least, being an adult who has a social life is exhausting.

I'm not talking about partying until the wee hours of the morning. I don't really do that anyway. I'm talking about all the drama that goes on between people.

I go to church. I have all my life. And the people I attend church with are, for the most part, wonderful. They're caring, kind, and look out for each other. But every once in a while, stuff happens between people. Bad feelings come up. And the drama begins.

I try to avoid the conflict. I don't listen to the "he says/she says." No one gossips to me, and I'm grateful for that. But I still see the effects of the bitter feelings, the heartache and pain.

It stresses me out.

Seriously, people, we're supposed to be better than this! We're supposed to live Christlike lives, and try to emulate Him! The backstabbing and gossip has GOT to STOP!!!!

Now, don't get me wrong. I know that most people at church are there for the right reasons, and trying to live their lives the right way. They're good, decent, hardworking people. But when drama like this crops up, you can feel it spreading almost like a poison through the whole group. It raises everyone's stress levels big time. People start whispering behind backs. Strong opinions are formed with little information. It brings the entire group down, down, down - even those who are trying to avoid all the conflict.

I'm one of those. I don't want to deal with the pettiness! So I'm taking a stand, and asking all of you to do as President Uchtdorf told us to in his General Conference talk. "When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:

"Stop it!"

Seriously! We're adults! It's time to stop acting like middle-schoolers! Taking a stab at someone else is NOT going to make you feel better! Spreading rumors won't bring you satisfaction! Sharing gory details of other people's pain and suffering won't make your life seem better! It will just make you more bitter and miserable!

And this goes for everyone involving themselves in the drama, not just the people who are right in the middle of it. Everyone needs to learn to be a little kinder, a little more forgiving, a little more Christlike.

For those right in the middle of it all, though, I get that it's the hardest for you. But YOU can choose how you're going to handle it! If you're dealing with a lot of negative feelings, the best way to deal with it is to take it to the Lord and let Him heal your wounds. Let Him carry you for a while. It probably won't happen right away, but you'll definitely notice that you're more at peace. You'll be less inclined to lash out at others, and have an easier time forgiving those who hurt you.

Even if you're incredibly mad at the other person, if you turn to God and let Him take away your anger, you'll not only feel better, you'll become a better person.

It's really your choice. When we're given a trial in life, we can choose one of two paths: We can let that trial bring us down, make us miserable, and put us a little bit more in Satan's grasp; or we can let that trial make us stronger, more faithful, and closer to God.

Life isn't easy. Heaven knows, we all go through some seriously crappy stuff. But how we deal with that stuff determines what kind of people we become.

Personally, my goal is to become as much like Christ as I possibly can. I can't do that if I'm letting my pain and challenges bring me down. And neither can you.

In conclusion, I repeat those wise words from President Uchtdorf:

"STOP IT!!!"

I'm Cassie Fifield, and I approve this message!!!