“People talkin’ about what you do, what you wear, what you say, how you live…” – Missy Elliot, Gossip Folks

Whew, let me tell you… Living in a nursing/rehab center is like stepping into a reality show you didn’t audition for. The hallways are quiet one moment, and the next, you hear whispers rolling faster than the wheels on my walker. “Did you see what she had for dinner?” “I heard she doesn’t talk to so-and-so anymore.” Gossip travels here quicker than the nurses with their med carts.

At first, it stung. I wondered, Why me? Why do people spend so much energy talking about others instead of talking to them? It’s hard enough adjusting to life in a nursing home—giving up some independence, finding new routines, and making peace with health struggles. Then to add gossip on top of that? It can wear you down.

It was especially rough having a relationship with one of the residents. Joe and I met, fell in love, and began a life together while there. People would whisper every time we walked by. I’m telling you…it was frustrating. The residents and staff had a field day with us!

Being neurodivergent, managing my emotions is difficult. I hated it whenever someone started a conversation with, “I just heard that you and Joe…” I wanted to yell out and shut them up. Knowing that it would only start another rumor, I would just smile and walk away. At night, I would replay each situation angrily instead of sleeping.

But I had to pause and remember. This isn’t new. Gossip has been around forever. The Bible even calls it out directly.

Proverbs 16:28 (NIV): “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”

That verse is short, but it says a lot. Let’s break it down.

The first part: “A perverse person stirs up conflict.” When we hear the word perverse, we usually think of something twisted or wrong. In this case, it means an inherently flawed person, someone who seeks drama, thrives on division, and feeds off negativity. 

Then comes the second part: “and a gossip separates close friends.” That one hit me deep. Gossip doesn’t just spread information; It damages relationships. It makes people question each other, mistrust each other, and sometimes even pull away. 

I realized something: gossip has power only if I give it power. People can talk, but I don’t have to let their words take root in my spirit. If I start believing the whispers, I’ll find myself anxious, angry, or bitter. But if I take God’s Word seriously, I know that gossip is just noise. It’s not the truth about me. It’s not the truth about my life. And it definitely isn’t the truth about who I am in Christ.

So I’m learning to let the whispers go. Instead of fighting back with more words, I lift it up in prayer. Instead of stewing on what people say, I remind myself that God knows my heart better than anyone else. That’s what really matters.

And when the noise gets too heavy? I turn up some Missy Elliot and let her say it best: “Gossip Folks.”

🎶 Watch it here: Missy Elliot – Gossip Folks

Copyright © 2025 by Edna Brown. All Rights Reserved.