When was the last time that you assigned yourself a personal challenge? I mulled over something until I decided to rely on a resource that helps me examine where I’m at and where I want to be. I made a list. Have you ever accomplished list-making and then upon reviewing your evaluation, you find that it’s a no-brainer? Yet you’re guilty of still making excuses or justify your reasoning, and all the while knowing the admission doesn’t change the results; however, it’s a good place to start.
After the conclusion of having twenty-three reasons to deactivate a social media website and three reasons that presented benefits with keeping it handy, it only made sense for me to ditch what seemed to spike my anxiety; at least long enough to see how these pros and cons play out the other way.
When it came to being committed with following through, the truth of the matter was at hand. If I couldn’t do it for a week, how could I even consider making this decision a permanent one. A few days before this momentous event, the thought occurred – What if I couldn’t get back into my account and I lost all my pictures and archives from over the years, and what if my journal of activities vanished. With this kind of fear rising, I had no doubt there was something to this proclamation. One that would hold more truth about where a lot of my reactions and emotions were coming from, especially the past year.
I was surprised by the immediate relief after my choice to click the small block that said deactivate, but not without also noticing what a grip it had on me. I was now slapped with the reality that I was addicted to this app and had allowed it to be the culprit of affecting my mood as well as behavior, fears, and responses. I knew I could go days without looking at it, and even limit my time scrolling, so to think of this as an addiction had totally caught me off guard.
It’s been many years since alcohol and cigarettes had a grasp on me, and well over twenty years since my drug addiction was relinquished. But honestly, I would have never associated this social media as being addictive (for me), considering the small amount of time that I had dwindled down to using it, much less would I have ever admitted the stronghold it had on me, had I not experienced this first-hand.
Can you imagine being the one that disables a bomb? I wouldn’t want that job, nor would I want to witness the deed of the individual that handles such a major risk, and thankfully they have robots that handles such a situation these days, but I can see how this could play out like a ticking time bomb for some people concerning their health (and their spiritual walk as well). I feel so foolish to know that I allowed myself to have an explosion of tormented thoughts. The hours of reasoning I can’t get back. The feelings of rejection that led me to detonate the same in return.
Have you ever been in a crowded room and still felt alone? Someone’s answer to that question could very well be an open door for inviting depression and an admission to a lack of proper attire to fight against the enemies of darkness. In other words, you may have hundreds or even thousands of “friends”, but if you are foolish enough to believe that as a fact or that it’s even remotely true – then think again. The pity party may never end if you assume that friendliness is more than just that.
The following days would also prove my theory correct about this time-sucking media, because I noticed most instances when someone crossed my mind, that I would still pick up my phone to rely on this app for insight, while quickly forgetting it had been removed. However, I did recall in doing that, how I would get on for a certain reason and instead found myself scrolling only to forget the original reason I even went looking from the start. Also, when I was working on my studies, I couldn’t believe that I was still reaching for the object that held my weakness and unknowingly how bad it had become such a natural distraction. The notification sound was obviously more powerful than I would imagine, because on day ten it was still playing in my head throughout each day, as well as the ingrained habit to swipe it open and see the new post made by someone I followed.
I daresay that I found out in just a short time that separating myself proved how other people’s opinions, negativity, too much information and a lack of depth can affect your mind; and that’s just to politely name a few. Not to mention how my own post made me feel sometimes. As it led to insecurities, the nervousness I always have with risking improper grammar, punctuation, or second guessing my thoughts, and forgetting someone else’s perspective and how I might make them feel. On the meaningful side, I must say that it showed me just how sacred true friendship is and to remember that if you have this gift, then cherish and hold it tight, because it’s rare!
I’ll end with sharing the greatest understanding of all that I’ve concluded: “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
I would also like to present you with a question to ponder if you have read thus far: Is there something that you have been unwilling to surrender that triggers pain, hurts, regrets, or fights for your attention? Do you take the initiative to react when you realize there’s distraction(s) calling you away from goals, levels, success, relationships, marriage, family or altogether – what matters most? (Selah)
FINDING GOD IN EVERYTHING 