Time to get real with yourself :) Recently on facebook I’ve seen a post going around about social media and how it presents an unrealistic picture of people’s lives. I do agree some people probably post “perfection” while their life is actually a chaotic mess.
However, I also know I have friends that post perfect looking pictures and I know that the joy I see is actually real! I know when I posted my recent family pictures we had taken the smiles were real! We weren’t faking a single thing. In fact we were having fun trying to chase our son and getting him to try to sit still for a picture. We were laughing and truly enjoying the time with our friends who were taking the pictures. We were flexible and knew trying to get a 2 year old to sit is pretty impossible so we just went with it. There was nothing fake about the joy you see in our pictures.
Sure, there are challenging days! There are pictures of the messy living room and us still in pajamas. I send those to family privately lol. I don't feel the need to show every messy photo. But that doesn't mean people are hiding something. So let's not assume everyone is posting a fake life!
There are challenging seasons! You have them. I have them. We are all the same in that respect. But the difference is in our perspective. What perspective do you have of your life? Challenges help us grow. Tough seasons are preparing us for greater things (if you view it that way).
But, back to social media...I want to challenge how you see things! Just because we see joy in people’s pictures doesn’t mean we need to envy it or get upset by comparing ourselves. If we feel a lack of joy by looking at someone else’s pictures it says more about us than what they are posting! Perhaps if you feel that way you should be asking yourself, “how do I get that joy they seem to have?!” Or “why am I so bothered by this?”
In our home we pursue joy! It is not founded on things or anything that’s sure to fade away! It is founded in the fact that we know we are loved by God and we have been blessed by God. So yeah, we can go through hard times and STILL BE SMILING AND JOYFUL! So when you see other’s pictures that seem to always portray a happy life, it’s quite possible they do live that life! Don’t get jealous, get curious!
You have the personal responsibility to develop that in your own life. The Bible tells us to pursue peace. If you seem to have a lack of joy and peace then purse it! Don’t get mad at someone else because they have and because they seem to have a happy life. That’s so unfair. Chances are they’ve worked very hard to have that. I know in our home that’s the case. We are far from perfect and I never want anyone to think we are. However, because we work really hard, have good habits in our home, and have God at the center of it all, it is a really great life.
The Bible also says that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him. So when you seek Him then you too will be rewarded. You will have joy, peace, provision for finances, healing, etc. You too can share happy pictures and know deep down inside that they are real life!
Just because you feel tempted to compare your life on social media doesn’t mean you have to give in to that. I do understand that social media is a beast we are all dealing with these days. But YOU are in control of the effect it has on your life. If you get upset when you go on social media then DELETE it and stay off of it. I don’t mean to sound harsh but I don’t like that people act like its a phone or computers fault that they feel like their life is less than. You be in control and you monitor what goes into your brain. There have been seasons where I have deleted social media. In fact, I haven’t been on Instagram in over 4 months. It was irritating me so I chose to delete it. So just monitor what’s best for you.
This is a call to you to take personal responsibility and it’s also a call to you to seek true joy and happiness for yourself. If your life is chaos I encourage you to seek God. Let him show you how to live at peace and not be worrying every single day about every little thing.
When we say, “God, help!” He really does! He has helped me and I know He will do the same for you.
Verses: Train your mind to think on right things.
Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. Philippians 4:8 ERV
and we tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We also capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 ERV
Psalm 19:14 may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you On Lord my Rock and my Redeemer
2 Timothy 1:7 for God did not give us a spirit of fear but one of power and love and a sound mind.
Barely five feet tall with a pixie cut, Amy has always been a feisty gal. She enjoys running (now with the baby and stroller in tow), a good cup of coffee, baby snuggles, sending encouragement and inspirations to friends via snail mail, old movies with her husband, and being an entrepreneur.
Currently, she lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, Ethan, and sons Valor & Baron, after a recent decision to shock their comfort zone by moving 8 hours away from their home state of Pennsylvania.
Amy is a work-from-home mom who gave a shot at the corporate world for a few years in the hospitality industry but ultimately decided Cube City just isn't for her.
Now she loves encouraging others, especially other women, to live bravely and to passionately go after their dreams and the life they imagine. Amy believes everyone can overcome their past and live their best life.
Follow Amy @ www.happy-go-lovely.com
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