Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance, the race that is set before us.”

“Optional drama”- Hebrews 12:1 talks about two different things. It talks about the things that weigh us down and sin.  There are two different things that can tangle us all up and get us off course. It could be things that are blatantly not good for us and sin or it could just be things that could be good but in excess or in the wrong timing could be bad for us.

Our culture is caught up on self-care. But we get mixed up on what self -care is and what it means to really care for our souls. 

Optional drama is like sometimes we have things in our lives that are actually weighing us down. But we’re so used to having them and we don’t even realize that it’s optional.

Social Media – None of it is bad by itself. But what you choose who you follow, what you watch, etc. and we get into a pattern and forget that we have a choice. Check how you feel.  Start paying attention -look at the other stuff you view on social media or follow and determine how you feel when you scroll past them. If you feel anger, jealousy, comparison – none of those are coming from God. Optional drama – can decide not to be part of. 

Relationships – Kids are physically opting into being a “friendships” with people that aren’t nice to them- opting in for the optional drama. Boundaries are there to make your relationships better. Think of it as a bullseye/dart board – the bullseye are your closest friends, the ones your safe with, that you trust. When we put people in the wrong circle that creates the drama. And then the next ring out are people that you are not as close to and so on. When we put people in the wrong circle, that’s when drama happens. You can like and be kind to everyone on the dart board, but you don’t have to be close to everyone. Don’t repay evil with evil. Hurt people hurt people. We don’t have to take it personally. We can invest in really good friendships and create space with the ones that aren’t great.

Families aren’t optional. God puts us in families and that is where we learn to trust. Ones we can’t get rid of them like Family, school, etc. 

Thought patterns can weigh us down. Learn to give people the most generous interpretation for their actions.

Maybe dating, friendships that can be very stressful or emotional turmoil, holding you back. Ask yourself questions to determine whether it is weighing you down –like how do I feel around them, will they keep things confidential, how do you feel around that person, look for patterns. If you find yourself questioning yourself, compromising your values, etc. that is not a good relationship that may we weighing us down or distract us. 

Hebrews scripture there is a difference between what weighs us down and what is sin. 

What can we add to our lives that would be beneficial? Instead of going from one mindless activity to another , what can we do that adds value? Doing or learning hobbies or spending time with people you  enjoy – reading, outside more, cooking, reading Bible and journaling. We can take away something and then add something that adds benefit, a blessing, a value.

Be a blessing not a bummer .