There are a lot of words to describe how people use social media. For example, the “informer,” the “listener,” the “approval seeker,” the “creator,” etc. I like to group them into two types – the “egoist” and the “helper”.
Egoist or helper?
Every day, wherever you are, your thoughts, words and actions are either motivated by your own ego, which is everything that has to do with “I”, “me” and “mine”, or by a desire to serve and bless others. The same goes for the way that you use social media.
What type of social media user are you? Do your feelings depend on how many likes and comments you get from the things you post? Are you constantly wanting more attention, do you feel empty and dissatisfied? Take a minute to think about what motivates and drives you.
When your social media use is ruled by your ego, where everything is about your “I”, “me” and “mine”, you quickly become dissatisfied, or proud, or worried, or superficial and just busy with yourself. It’s the same in practical life too if your happiness is dependent on how others talk about you or treat you and how you compare with others.
You feel empty.
Thankfully, there’s a way out – you don’t need to be thinking just about yourself!
Find opportunities to bless
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NLT).
If you do what is written here, it can change your actions, and even how you think! Just think how good it is to have this verse as your goal and guide every day – on social media and in practical daily life! Where before you were so busy with posting the best picture of yourself, or waiting for comments and likes, or just chatting superficially with friends - maybe even talking a bit negative about others to make yourself look better - you are now looking for opportunities to bless.
Social media – an incredible tool
Instead of having your self-image and your happiness decided by what you see on social media, social media becomes a wonderful and useful tool. You forget about yourself and your own image and rather find ways to encourage others.
Instead of getting jealous when someone posts something about the nice things they just bought, or their vacation, or whatever it is that you usually become jealous about, you can now be happy with those who are happy! Where before you were irritated or didn’t care when someone went through a difficult time, now you pray for them and find a way to bless them! You send encouraging messages instead of backbiting. You remember people on their birthdays. You write positive comments. Such simple, little things can have a great effect.
The choice is yours
We are egoists by nature, and it doesn’t come naturally to bless and to love and to think of the others as better than ourselves. Our own ego, our sinful nature, needs to be constantly “crucified with Christ", which means that I reject and don’t do my own will anymore. (Galatians 2:20.) This is something you can decide to do, by faith. God is ready and waiting to help you each time you are tempted, and He will bless you in return!
What kind of social media user are you? It’s your choice! Choose to be a true “helper”, and you will quickly find ways to help and bless – both on social media and in daily life!