A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. -Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
It always seems like everyone else on Facebook and social media are having a better life than you. They’re going to exotic places, eating food you’ve never had, smiling and laughing all the time, and not having any problems at all. You might think that your life is just terrible and misguided by comparison. It’s like you’re trudging through yet another desert, and they’re always in paradise.
In truth, what you’re seeing is an oasis in the desert, much like what you consume when you read or watch the news: you’re getting a curated collection of stories, carefully selected for consumption. It’s just a very small subset of all the stories of people’s lives.
What to do?
When you look at your social media feed, remind yourself that everyone who’s posted to it has chosen to share what you see. Likewise, you’re also choosing what to share and not share. Believe it or not, your life may seem like an oasis to others!
Most importantly, think twice about before you post. How would your post be read and received on the other end? Does what you post add any sort of value to their lives, and/or in some way lift them up? And, is what you’re posting making God known and glorified?
I can honestly say that I haven’t thought enough about those questions before making some posts. But I certainly do make more of an effort to be more conscientious as I go.
Just remember: the grass may seem greener in that social media oasis on the screen before you, but it’s all a curated illusion. Our green grass, our peace, is found within us, hard won through the blood of Christ.
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