The Antisocial Reality of Social Media

We live in an age where we are constantly inundated with information. The world is always just a click away. We fill our homes and offices – and even our pockets – with advanced technology and interactive screens for instant access to the world around us. However, the more we connect digitally to the world, the bigger the void seems to become in our personal lives and the farther removed we are from the reality of our humanity.

You see, teammates, when it comes to social media and digital communication, it is not always as simple and straight-cut as it first appears to be. We may have thousands of friends and followers online when, in reality, we face real challenges such as loneliness, anxiety and worse, depression.

Of course, we comment on online posts without a second thought, but in actuality, we find it difficult to talk to people face-to-face.

We spend time choosing the very best selfies to post on our feeds – and yet, we forsake the everyday moments and milestones that really make up our daily lives. We get sucked into thinking that the farce is true – that everyone is #livingmybestlife – we are not.

We often feel alone in this space, that we are never good enough, and that we need to strive to keep up with those around us.

We spend so much time worrying about what others think and, in the process, we are losing our spouses, our children, and even ourselves, to a world that does not exist beyond our computer screens or smartphones.

Beyond Social Media: Constant Reach and Engagement with Jesus

Friend, I am here to tell you that there is someone who will never make you strive to feel loved. In fact, He gave His life so we could feel connected on a much deeper level.

Far from the superficial world of social media, Jesus yearns to restore us to the Father and keep us close to His heart. Before we lose the very relationships that keep us in community, let’s take some time to break the unhealthy obsessions we have with social media.

So, What’s the Play Call?

It’s time to rebuild those relationships we’ve lost in the digital age. Here are a few tips to help you:

• Put boundaries in place. Curb the amount of time spent on social media every day. Set a limit and keep family time sacred and device-free.
• Spend meaningful time with family. One-on-one chats are crucial to cement our relationships and help us realize what matters most in life.
• Read the Bible. If tempted to spend time online, choose to read the Word of God instead. You may be surprised by what God wants to share with you today. “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint…” (Jeremiah 31:25).
• Reach out. Reconnect with old friends and family you only engage with on social media. Too many times, we follow the lives of our close friends and family online only. It’s time to make a point of reconnecting and rebuilding those relationships we have lost.
• Share good words with others. Instead of ticking a ‘like button’ or “tapping a heart” on social media, message the person and share something positive with them directly. “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor,” (1 Corinthians 10:24).
• Break the habit. Go on a social media strike for a few days. Completely disconnect, log off from your devices, and enjoy the freedom of living off the grid to rejuvenate spirit and body.