Do All to the Glory of God

A few nights ago, I found myself really bothered by something I saw on social media. It wasn't anything bad or sinful, and my husband didn't understand why it even bothered me. I wondered too why it bothered me. Perhaps it wasn't the content that annoyed me. Perhaps it was my own disgust at social media. I love pictures and hearing from people who don't live in my house, but I have replaced real relationships too often with virtual ones. Scrolling through posts and updates, it's easy to detach myself from the fact there are real people on the other side of those posts. If I'm in a bad mood, I often translate that into how I read their posts. Sometimes it's like inviting a fire hose into your house when you know you probably shouldn't open the door. I find myself resenting people I love, misreading their intentions. 

In the past, I haven't stayed away terribly long, but this time feels different. I have seen the pattern of resentment/jealousy/bitterness creep in time and again. I am starting to see how unhealthy my relationship with social media has been. I say this not to convict anyone necessarily. I realize we all struggle with sin differently, but I also think Matthew 5:29 applies to me in this case. It's not lust for a person, but perhaps lust over the things in the world.

Matthew 5:29 "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell."

Has my relationship with Christ been strengthened as a result of social media? Am I a more godly woman after spending time on social media? Have I strengthened relationships with others as a result of social media? Would I better serve others through personal communication? Do the Christian women I aspire most to be like spend time on social media? Are they even on social media? 

These are questions I know the answers to. And these answers are why I may never rejoin social media (to be clear, my accounts still exist). If I want to contact someone, I have the ability to do that without wasting time scrolling through apps on my phone.

This article below is one I found by a young man who speaks wisdom beyond his years. His words resounded with me. Perhaps they will resound with you too. If you are looking for me, you know where not to find me 😉. https://www.eternitynews.com.au/opinion/everyday-christian-i-grew-up-on-social-media-and-why-i-deleted-it/