Unfortunately there is not a mental health warning sticker on social media: "Look at your own risk. If you are prone to jealousy, fits of rage, insecurity, or sadness these images may increase your self loathing and further your depressed state of mind".
There should be a warning label on Pinterest as well. "If you have the propensity to evaluate the worth of your life and craftiness based on others Pinterest boards please log out now". I created dozens of wonderful idea boards. Hours finding seasonal decorating ideas. Recipe boards. Remodeling boards. I had to walk away. Just too much dang pressure. Too much time wasted "pinning". And, if we are really being honest with ourselves, are we really going to do all of those crafty projects? Ever? Recipes? Yes. Bazillion crafts? No.
Social media is one of the enemies biggest lies. It gives him the tools to step right into your home and into your insecurities. It also gives him leverage over the busyness of our lives. I personally love seeing pictures of people's children, grandchildren, and pets. It gives me great pleasure. Makes me feel connected to old friends. Excited to see how God has blessed them.
But what about the person who is going through a divorce? The loss of a spouse? Loss of a child? Illness? The person who is alone on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Is social media a good place for them to connect with the world?
It depends. If we understand that the majority of what we see on social media is just a three second camera click into someones life. A staged shot. A selfie. A perfectly posed life. Filtered life. Touched up life. Often times not real lfe. Then, yes, social media can be entertaining.
It depends. If we understand that the majority of what we see on social media is just a three second camera click into someones life. A staged shot. A selfie. A perfectly posed life. Filtered life. Touched up life. Often times not real lfe. Then, yes, social media can be entertaining.
I read on Facebook (#shocker) that a friend is challenging everyone to be like Daniel. If you accept the challenge? You intentionally go to the Lord in prayer of thanksgiving three times a day. One response to the friends request was "If I have the time to check Facebook three times a day I can find the time to pray three times a day".I love this idea!
When we pray, communicate, and thank the Lord for all that we are, all that we have? Well, we are able to look at the world with a completely different perspective. We see things through God's eyes. We are able to differentiate what is real and what is not. We are able to find thanksgiving everywhere and anywhere. We are able to be of this world but not in this world.
Prayer changes lives. I've experienced it first hand. When I first came to Christ my entire thought process had to be changed. I remember reading that Beth Moore had placed a bible on her forhead and prayed for God to let her absorb every bit of it. So what did I do? Desperate times called for desperate measures. I would fall asleep with the bible on my face! Sounds hilarious now even to me. At the time, it was everything. I had nothing left. I was clinging to the hope of Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered my prayer. Layer by layer He stripped it all away. Verse by verse He started to reshape my mind. It wasn't over night. But I knew I was forever changed. Houses that I used to drive by with activity no longer made me feel left out, sorry for myself or sad. I eventually was able to drive by saying "Thank you, Lord! Thank you for removing me. For saving me!" Now when I drive by almost two decades later? I can wave, smile, and be so appreciative of the past that has led me to my eternal future. I think, at that point in my life, if there had been Facebook it would have sent me over the edge. I'm so thankful for His protection.
I challenge you this week to pray for those who are lost, alone, filled with sadness and grief. I challenge you to ask the Lord to bring those who need you into your life this week. I challenge you to offer thanksgiving for all that you have. Where there is worldly lack I challenge you to ask God to reveal to you how He is protecting you. I challenge you to be thankful in all circumstances.
Happy Thanksgiving week!
When we pray, communicate, and thank the Lord for all that we are, all that we have? Well, we are able to look at the world with a completely different perspective. We see things through God's eyes. We are able to differentiate what is real and what is not. We are able to find thanksgiving everywhere and anywhere. We are able to be of this world but not in this world.
Prayer changes lives. I've experienced it first hand. When I first came to Christ my entire thought process had to be changed. I remember reading that Beth Moore had placed a bible on her forhead and prayed for God to let her absorb every bit of it. So what did I do? Desperate times called for desperate measures. I would fall asleep with the bible on my face! Sounds hilarious now even to me. At the time, it was everything. I had nothing left. I was clinging to the hope of Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered my prayer. Layer by layer He stripped it all away. Verse by verse He started to reshape my mind. It wasn't over night. But I knew I was forever changed. Houses that I used to drive by with activity no longer made me feel left out, sorry for myself or sad. I eventually was able to drive by saying "Thank you, Lord! Thank you for removing me. For saving me!" Now when I drive by almost two decades later? I can wave, smile, and be so appreciative of the past that has led me to my eternal future. I think, at that point in my life, if there had been Facebook it would have sent me over the edge. I'm so thankful for His protection.
I challenge you this week to pray for those who are lost, alone, filled with sadness and grief. I challenge you to ask the Lord to bring those who need you into your life this week. I challenge you to offer thanksgiving for all that you have. Where there is worldly lack I challenge you to ask God to reveal to you how He is protecting you. I challenge you to be thankful in all circumstances.
Happy Thanksgiving week!
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect"-Romans 12:2
