Social Media Fasting

If you’re like me, you have an interesting relationship with social media. You appreciate the perks of keeping up with family and friends; showing where you are in life; and posting about the good times you’re having, but at the same time you feel like sometimes you can do without it. I love sharing scripture; sharing pieces from my blog; posting selfies; and laughing at hilarious videos, but I always appreciate my time away from all the social media platforms.

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Since last year, I have followed my girlfriend’s example and have gone a couple days or so without logging on and browsing my social media accounts. I don’t even announce when I’m going to do it, because I don’t consider myself that important to where anyone is going to care or notice my absence. I do this for the following reasons, and I encouraging you to do the same.

Distraction All the time I’m browsing the funnies and latest meme could be time that I could be ironing my thousand pieces of clothing; bulking up at the gym; sleeping blogging and writing; reading; doing my sabbath school lesson and opening my Bible, which I can never do enough of it

Too much negativity Almost all the world is on the internet with their issues and their not so pleasant remarks, so you are bound to encounter some negativity on your social media feeds. If you are aiming to have a day of good energy, maybe you can help yourself by steering clear of the negative posts about how much someone dislikes another; posts with a curse word in almost every sentence; and that one person who never has anything good to say. People can end up saying the cruelest thing to you just for having a different opinion or just when you post a picture of yourself. By taking a leave you don’t have to see all the garbage one is saying about you or worry about what people may be saying about you. We can’t control what people say about us, but we don’t have to make ourselves look at what they’re saying. My hearts goes out to all of those who have fallen victim to cyberbullying or taken their lives because of it. While we can only honor the deceased, we can encourage the living to simply not look at what is being said, to not give the bully any power over them.

Too many opinions I am all on board for everyone expressing themselves; saying what they want to say. But at times hearing the opinions of some of the hundreds of my Facebook friends, along with the opinion of their Facebook friends can be a little overwhelming. Going deeper into opinions, a couple years ago I talked about how I felt it was wrong for business owners to have the right to deny service to someone because of their sexuality. Did someone disagree with me- of course. The debate didn’t just stay between us though. Not long after, 3 or 4 more people chimed in to where there was a civil war on my Facebook feed. And these were all church members!

Who Could be Watching If you are going to add people such as employees and church members(especially church members) to your social media accounts you must be extra careful with what you say; like; and share. Don’t think some of these people are not watching you like hawks waiting for you to slip up. Example, church members may be accustomed to seeing a side of you display once a week for church. They may be blown away by what they see of you online. Take it from a person who in the past has said the wrong thing, be mindful of what you do or block people.

Idol You don’t have to literally bow down to someone or something for them to be an idol. Consider how much time you are putting in, where your focus is going, and where your energy is being channeled. If you were to write list of what is most important to you, would God be number l? I ask myself, are these things stealing my attention away from Christ?

I am not against anyone having social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, etc. But there is nothing wrong with taking a little bit of time away from your accounts to do other activities; think positive; go with your own opinions; not worry of who’s watching, and to let God be the only one you worship in your life.

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Thank you for stopping by. God Bless!!!!!