As I picked up my phone I felt compelled to open the Facebook app. I wanted to check the comments on the cute photo I just posted of my six-year-old daughter. 34 likes in two hours. It felt nice to know my friends are paying attention to what was going on in our family’s life. I also checked the inspirational message I posted yesterday. Only 3 likes and no comments. My elation over the response to my daughter’s picture faded into a gray mood, of feeling like a mediocre mom, friend, writer and Christian.
The quiet, contented heart that I started my day off with, has quickly became filled with insecurity all because of online interactions that are not even part of my present daily relationships.
Have you been there?
Next time you go to open Instagram, facebook, twitter or whatever your preferred social media is I challenge you to take note of your feelings.
This online world we live in can affect your attitude for the day. An article on vice.com comments that it is ‘this craving for validation’ that drives people to these social platforms and drives their profits.
For those of us who profess Christ it should be our desire to find our affirmation in Him, but to do that we have to fight our natural fleshly instincts to be overly concerned about how much attention we are receiving online.
Though social media is beneficial for business and for staying in touch with people you would not normally stay in contact with, there are three ways it can be detrimental.
- Affects your mood
- Takes away from connecting with present relationships
- Clutters your soul
Life Coach Moment
Think about these questions the next time you check your social media accounts.
How did you feel when you first opened the program?
Can you name the emotions you felt as you checked your notifications?
Set aside certain times of the day or week when you rest from social media. A good start would be leaving your phone in the other room while you have dinner.
Renew Your Mind in Truth
The root of our desire for validation is that we don’t truly have a heart revelation of the love of God. John 15:9-17 speaks of abiding in Christ’s love, which in turn causes us to love others.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:9-17)
When you open that social media, feed remember who you are Share on X – You are Loved!!!
The reason we post to social media should be because we love others – we love our friends enough to share photos of what is happening in our lives and we love them enough to share encouraging posts pointing them to the love of God.
Self-Talk Point
Even if my following doesn’t take notice God knows me and loves me. His love is enough.
Prayer
Lord, Thank you for the good things that come from social media, but please give me wisdom as I engage with the online world so that I can set boundaries in this area of my life. Thank you for guarding my heart and my mind. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Giveaway
If you are looking for more ways to rest your soul, you would be encouraged by this month’s giveaway of Dr. Saundra Dalton’s newly released book Sacred Rest and her course on lifestyle changes. Enter before March 6th for a chance to win.
Win a copy of Dr. Saundra Dalton's new book Sacred Rest and Lifestyle upgrades course Share on X
If you want to dig more deeply into the affects of social media these two videos will be a blessing.
This post is part of several link ups: #Becoming Press, #chasingcommunity #HeartEncouragement and #FreshMarketFriday
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Such great thoughts, Naomi. It’s been a while since I wrote anything about social media, but I love your heart. And I relate. Seems like the online culture dictates all this validation craze and even causes envy when others get more social media “love” than we do. But, yes, you’re right. We must remember who we are in Christ. Real validation, that’s deep and lasting, only comes through Jesus. I constantly have to rein my heart back in.