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Writer's pictureBryce Johnson

Backstabbing and Drama

If you turn on the radio or TV right now, chances are the host is discussing one of two feuds: either between Ben Roethlisberger and his former teammates...or the Lakers and Magic Johnson vs. GM Rob Pelinka.

Sadly, people love to follow a juicy “soap opera” and sports always provides plenty of off the field drama and conflict.

At the core of both of these stories is the classic “he said, he said” with back and forth accusations of backstabbing and parties being two-faced. The behavior has resulted in criticism and everyone having to defend themselves.

Magic Johnson abruptly left his role as the Lakers' President and went on ESPN yesterday to give his perspective on his time there. He said, "I started hearing, 'Magic, you're not working hard enough. Magic's not in the office.' People around the Lakers office were telling me Rob was saying things, and I didn't like hearing those things being said behind my back."

Meanwhile, Antonio Brown has made hurtful comments about his former quarterback and for the first time yesterday Roethlisberger shared his side of the story saying, “I heard from a third party there were issues. I reached out to him many times — text, calls…this was all before the season was over. I never heard back. I could never find out what was going on. That’s why it was so confusing. I didn’t know where it came from.”

I’m not picking sides and I’m not surprised that this kind of drama is taking place. It starts as kids on the playground and unfortunately infiltrates sports, neighborhoods, and even churches.

When people are involved, there's a good chance of ego, pride, selfishness, and miscommunication causing tension in relationships. This leads to rumors and grievances aired to the media or behind each other's backs, as well as criticism of the other side and having to defend one's actions.

Going to a person to resolve an issue is difficult to do, so often times we end up telling the "media" or anyone else that will listen. Unfortunately, this only escalates the problem and creates a bigger divide between the two sides at odds.

However, as followers of Jesus, our perspective on how to handle fractured relationships should be much different. We want to be careful not to get caught up in gossip or backstabbing or slander.

If someone has wronged us or they feel we have wronged them, we need to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Of course, it’s easier said than done, but we must make every effort to deal with the issues face to face instead of broadcasting our bitterness to outsiders.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (AMP) strongly states, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice .

"Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted , forgiving one another , just as God in Christ also forgave you.”

Today, let’s choose to be reconcilers instead of backstabbers...and forgivers instead of slanderers. Let’s make sure to humble ourselves instead of allow our pride to ultimately divide.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that You would give me a heart of grace and be willing to have the tough conversations that lead to reconciliation. I pray I’d be willing to admit when I’m wrong and let others know when they’ve hurt me, instead of talking bad about them behind their back. Thank you for the on-going grace and forgiveness You show me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

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