Are You Addicted to Social Media?

Social media has impacted the world in many positive ways. It may sound funny, but a lot of us have not only become dependent, but straight out addicted to our social media sites  - and this may be a more serious issue than we want to admit.

Let's think about this. Addictions help fill a need, or calm an anxiety. Addictions even sometimes become a way to avoid immediate problems. When using social media becomes an addiction, surfing the web releases tension and feels good and causes a person to grow physically dependent on getting a daily "fix" in order to continue through daily life. Just like a substance addiction, social media addictions progress and we can find ourselves using it more and more.

Are You Addicted to Social Media? 

• Social media addicts spend every waking moment checking for updates, chatting online, posting updates, and checking the latest postings of others.
• Social media addicts spend 2 or more hours at a time on social media websites.
• Social media addicts eventually progress to cancelling more and more activities with family and friends to spend time on their internet capable devices.
• Social media addicts carry their internet capable devices with them everywhere they go.
• Social media addicts feel anxious or ill when they cannot get on the internet or if a favorite social media website is down. 
• Social media addicts feel the need to post continuous statuses and pictures of everything that they do and have for others to see. 
• Social media addicts browse and "snoop" on pages of those that are not their "friends" or "followers" 

When spending so much time on the internet, be careful what you post and engage in on your social media sites. Even though you may be just "typing words," remember that God sees and knows all, and you will have to answer to Him (Matthew 12:36). Because becoming a member of facebook, twitter, and other social sites are completely legal, there is no medicinal treatment for "social media addiction". You have to make up your mind, then wean yourself away. I am not saying that social media is bad, I am asking that you take a minute to evaluate yourself. Any thing, activity, or person that takes you away from spending time with God must be removed from your life. If you find yourself social networking more than you pray and read your bible, you must make a change to your daily schedule. Growing physically dependent on anything to make you happy is dangerous because when that thing is gone, so is your happiness. The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10) and in Him you will find your true happiness - with or without the internet. 

Circle of Friends

It would be a perfect world if everyone we knew would just get along. However, the truth of the matter is everyone has different personalities, ideas, and beliefs that sometime make it hard for the ones we love most to see eye to eye. As Pretty Girls, we know that the bible teaches us that we are to love everyone, despite our differences (Luke 6:27). Even though we love everyone with the love of Christ, we must also use wisdom in who we choose to call our "friends". Everyone you know may not have your best interest in mind. The power of words can build you up or tear you down (Proverbs 18:21). It is important that the people around you are speaking good things and encouraging words to help make you a better person. Those who gossip, lie, and slander others will have to answer to God. Ephesians 4:29 reminds us that no corrupt talk should come from our mouths, only good words that build others up. Be aware of those who you interact with, and do not pick up any bad habits that wouldn't be pleasing in God's eyes (Psalm 19:14). You have a right to choose your friends. You can choose what information you decide to share about yourself. You are a daughter of God, and you deserve to be loved and respected by everyone around you - even your friends.

Speak Life

Growing up, your mother may have taught you that name calling was mean. As you got a little older, she may have had to remind you that it's not nice gossip about others behind their backs. My mother always told me that if I didn't have anything nice to say, "then don't say anything at all." Those elementary manners that we learned as small children actually are based on biblical principals. The bible says"Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose." (Proverbs 18:21 MSG) Our words have power, and we must pay attention the the things we say. As Pretty Girls, we are to use our words to edify (build up) ourselves and those around us. Whenever you are having a bad day, you can speak God's word over yourself for encouragement and instantly feel a whole lot better. (Believe me it works!) If you know someone that is frustrated or upset, you can use your words to speak life into them and turn their frown upside down. Profanity, insulting others, name calling and gossiping are just a few of the many examples of the words people use to hurt each other. If ever someone tries to speak against who God says you are, use your words and and let them know all the good that God says you are. You have the authority over what you say; be sure your words are helping and not harming someone else.  

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.