Self Absorbed? Insecure? [Social Media's influence on our desire to MATTER]

Gossip. It's a girl's best friend. "Did you hear about THIS?!" "Did you SEE THAT!?" We love to talk about all the crazy stories that have the "shock factor." Many of us don't have a problem with talking about everything that is wrong with our life or someone else's life. We love to get a reaction out of people that makes us feel like what we have to to say matters. We want to matter. We live in a world of "anti-social" media that thrives on #1. Self-absorbed people who want everyone to know what is going on in their life (#Selfie! #lookatmyawesomenewthis #lookwhereIam) and #2. Insecure people who spend all their time finding out what is going on in everyone else's life and comparing themselves. (How many likes did I get? How many followers do I have?) You might know everything going on in some celebrity's life who you've never even met and who doesn't know or care you exist, but have no idea what is going on in the person's life who is sitting right next to you. 

You might be thinking, "well I'm not self-absorbed or insecure... what about all the rest of us who just enjoy social media?" I want to argue with you that you're kidding yourself if you think you don't have any insecurities or are never self-absorbed. SO WHAT if I'm being dramatic by labeling you as "self-absorbed" or "insecure". I'm trying to make a point that no one is perfect, and even if you have good intentions with social media, you need to BE CAREFUL not to allow pride or insecurity take over. It is okay to not be perfect. In fact, it is IMPOSSIBLE to be perfect. However, ask yourself this question: Am I allowing myself to be affected by social media in a negative way? If so, challenge yourself to take a break from social media. Anything that effects you negatively should be evaluated and changed until it effects you for the good. If it cannot effect you for your good... What's it good for?

Is social media of the devil? completely evil? No, of course not. There are a lot of positive ways it can be used for. In fact, if you are able to use social media as a tool to spread the love of Jesus, that is an awesome thing! Or to encourage and lift up others! Or to reach out to someone you wouldn't have been able to otherwise. And sure, it is a good way to be able to see what is going on in others' lives whom you care about. The problem comes in when the comparison starts. Or tons of time is wasted. Or you begin to talk about others in a negative light. 1 Thess. 5:11 says: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up." and Heb. 10:24-25 says: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, and not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another." We need to use social media to encourage one another. Don't tear each other down. Or tear yourself down.

Sometimes our insecurities build up until one day we realize we have become an insecure person. It is because we have dwelt on our faults and weaknesses. Or we've enjoyed the attention we received from the likes we got on the selfies we took until one day, we come to the place where we realize we are thriving solely on the attention from others and have become self-absorbed and prideful people. Deep down, both insecurity and pride come from a place of wanting to be loved. Of wanting to matter. We feel we don't measure up.  Don't lose touch with the reality that God loves each and every one of us. We don't need to compare ourselves with others because we are each created uniquely. God has gifted each of us differently and has a special purpose and plan for our lives. Do not allow comparison of others to tear you down (insecurity), or build you up too high (pride). Instead, allow the love of Christ to be the only thing that matters. Your identity is found not on what others think, but on what Christ thinks. See yourself as He sees you. Fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 119:14). 

YOU MATTER TO JESUS! No matter who you are, or what you've done, Jesus Christ loves you and gave His life for you. You are so valuable to Him. He created you to have relationship with Him. He wants to spend time with you. He wants you and for you to know Him in a very personal way. He already knows your heart. He already knows your thoughts. Your dreams, your desires, you hurts, your pain. He sees what you've been through and He knows how you feel. He wants you to run to Him, because He is waiting with His arms stretched wide. He will pick you up, because He is your Heavenly Father and He loves you so much. Will you let Him? Ask Him right now. He hears you. He answers. He is so faithful and He will never leave you or forsake you.

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