Social media is a whirl wind of crazy. Lots of people tend to think in moderation it’s worth having, and though I agree, I also want to bring another argument to the table. It isn’t a surprise to me that we hear stories all the time of people who have taken electronics and social media away from the kids and they lost their depression, or they begin to socialize more. That people tend to find peace, themselves and better ways to relax. Learn new hobbies, talk to their families more. The list goes on- and not just with added positives, but also subtracted negatives. Life with no social media has meant less comparison and silly online quarreling. Toxic friendships or relationships ending, and more. But don’t just take my word for it, let me explain some personal experience, from a Christian’s perspective.
How has losing social media enhanced my life?
In high school I was just like everyone else. I had all the social platforms. Like Snapchat, Instagram, (in later years Facebook), Pinterest, and more. I was on there everyday. The most magnetizing to me? Snapchat. Which caused me so many issues.
A platform that encourages one on one connections without real relationship is extremely toxic. I found myself in this place, with connections to all these people that I didn’t know or have relationships with. It’s the social media app that brought the most confusion, pain, and disconnect out of every one I have used. It causes secretive behavior, stalking, poor communication, assumptions and more. It was the first app to go and in a moment I lost every single toxic and shallow relationship I had grown.
“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.“
– 1 THESSALONIANS 4:11
This was just one of my many fall out moments with social media. In time the same things have happened to every other platform I had for personal use.
I kept losing followers and friends on Instagram and would search to find the culprit so I could unfollow them and cry over the fact that they didn’t like me anymore. I had stalkers watching me live my life.
Facebook became a place where I was just trying to reach out to people so they wouldn’t forget me, so they could see how well I was doing and so I could reach out and help those who needed it so they kept liking me or maybe came to Jesus. It was a constant work and my feelings would be hurt when my friends and Church family would ignore my posts.
Now I do have work social medias and that is okay- social media isn’t all bad. But continue reading for some more personal and Biblical context for my urgency with this.
The biblical contraSt
1 Thessalonians 4:11 teaches us the desires of Christ’s heart for His people, to live “quiet” lives “working with [our] hands” and keeping to [ourselves]”. This doesn’t mean move to the woods and become a recluse. It means to mind your business, not feel the need to be involved in everything, have your face everywhere, platform your day to day, make yourself large. In my case I take this deeply to the roots of social media and see opposition between the two. You cannot have one and the other if you are into social media as much as I was. This idea is what leads me to continue everyday to make decisions for this specific conviction. Every day it leads me closer to deactivating more, deleting apps, and learning hobbies or socializing with my real community in reality.
Put it down, delete the app, turn it off, deactivate the account and live your life. Find peace, joy, less strife, more connection, more of yourself, more of those around you. Connect with Jesus and the earth He has placed beneath your feet. Be more like your ancestors. This will change who you know, your life, your emotional and mental state, what you desire, and how happy you are. This will show you who God made you to be. Delete the app. Delete the account. Go off grid and find happiness that you never knew.
Thank you for reading of you have questions or comments let us know below!
