Psalm 62:5-6 (CEV)
Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on Him. God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe, and he is the fortress where I feel secure.
I like to use social media. I believe it’s a great tool for self-expression and communication. Social media gives us all the opportunity to share our ideas, experiences, aspirations and our likes and dislikes. But I begin to ask myself, is it causing us to be addicted to the approval and validation of people? Is social media conditioning us to live for the “likes” and “loves” of people? When we don’t get the loves or likes on our pics, does it cause us to feel inadequate? Did we reduce the true essence of love to a mere “double tap?” There’s no real value in the likes on instagram, yet we want them so badly.
I heard someone say, “I live for the Likes.”
Perhaps, social media is causing us to be self-absorbed, self obsessed, vain and narcissistic.
God showed me, that yes social media is a great tool but let’s not forget that we as believers don’t live for the likes or loves of people. Especially in that fashion, when it has been reduced to a signal button. There’s no value in the likes or loves on social media so don’t be consumed by them. Do not be controlled by them. I realized social media can cause comparison and feelings of inadequacy. The Bible clearly teaches us not to covet and to be content. But, sometimes it’s hard as a believer, to remain content when you see someone else’s page gaining more likes than you. You begin to wonder, “Are they better than me?” I can’t say that you have experienced this, but I can honestly say these thoughts have crossed my mind. So I had to take a step back and realize what it is I am truly seeking when I post.
1 John 4:18 NIV
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
God’s love is true and perfect! God is the only one that can give you self-worth, validation, approval and acceptance! In essence that’s what likes/loves represent on social media. It represents people’s stamp of approval. You can get addicted to the praises of people. Yet, we must keep in mind that the likes/ loves do not truly reflect people’s thoughts anyway, it’s just a button.
Be secure in God, allow God to be your fortress! Allow God to be your shield against the feelings of inadequacy by reading God’s Word. Spend more time reading the Word than scrolling on social media. You will gain so much more confidence when you spend more time with God and limit your time on social media. Know that God is your rock. God’s love for you never changes, never shifts between “a like or a love.” His love is constant. His love is not based upon your looks, accomplishments or talents. He loves you perfectly and you don’t have to compete with anyone else to gain it!
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