Before you read this blog, I want to say that I am not
condemning anyone and I don’t want to step on any toes. The whole point in my blog is to write down
my feelings. I don’t judge and this blog
has nothing to do with anyone single person, but rather a thought in
whole.
I often wonder where stresses come from- is it from my kids
or the mess they have made throughout my house, or is it my husband and the many
long hours he works every day? It could
also be the pile of bills on the desk, the many errands I need to run today or
the fact that I only got a few hours of sleep last night. Many things in our lives can cause stress,
but have you ever wondered how much stress comes from social media? Take Facebook for example. You see everyone’s “status” updates, from
happy updates to the most bleak and sad updates. You can subscribe to pages that offer support
to families going through cancer, or support for a cause such as epilepsy. Have you ever thought that maybe seeing all
the sad facts of life could be hindering your life? I am not here to try and convince anyone to
say “no” to Facebook, Twitter, or any other type of social media, and even the
news stations, but I do want to bring notice that this type of media could be
affecting our stress levels, and therefore affecting our lives considerably. I do believe social media has a good side
too. It is a way to connect with people
you may not otherwise stay in contact with or a way to meet new people. It is a
way to share your life with family and friends that live states away. It can also be a good way to advertise your
business or share your passions.
I am a Facebook junkie.
I check it every day, several times a day. I love to see new babies that have entered
the world, pictures of my out-of-state friends and family, and updates on the
lives of the people I care about. On the
latter though, I also see updates on the not so happy things. Some people find social media to be a way to degrade
other people, instigate an argument with someone, or enlighten the world about
their horrible, no good, very bad day.
I do not believe a public site is the place to do such things. Social media should be filled with happy and
good things. Everyone has their own
problems; not many people have enough time to worry about everyone else’s troubles.
With that said, there are many “pages” on Facebook where
people ask for prayer, for their child, mom, brother, wife or dog because they
have cancer, epilepsy, or some other devastating medical condition. While I believe in the power of prayer I
appreciate these pages because God does say, “Again, I tell you that if two of
you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my
Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I
with them.”~Matthew 18:19-20 However, reading about others people’s burdens can
sometimes run you down. I am one of
those people that carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. Reading about children with cancer hurts me
so bad. My heart hurts for the parents
and the child so much that I dwell on it.
Then my mind starts to wander.
What if it was my child or my husband?
What would I do? That thought
alone, wears me out and thus, brings stress into my life. I know I am blessed and I thank God for my family’s
health everyday! But because I am the
way I am, I have to be careful because my poor heart can’t handle worrying
about everybody else’s problems, whether big or small.
I guess what I am trying to say is guard your heart. Your family and your sanity come first. God is in control and you can pray for other
people but if seeing daily updates about how bad someone else has it is hurting
your life, then cut it out. Or if you
are like me and can’t just cut it out of your life there is hope. We serve an astounding God. In fact He says, “Come to me all who are
weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”~Matthew 11:28 When your heart is
heavy from all the problems in your life and those problems of others, take
them to God. Allow Him to give you the peace and strength you need to make it
through.
So I will continue to be a Facebook junkie, and I will
continue to see the good and the bad updates.
I will be sure to take all of my worries, concerns, and apprehension to
God so that I am not weighed down by the worries of the world.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who
knocks, the door will be opened.” ~Matthew 7-8
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