Facebook Depression

On my way to school the other day, a radio announcer was talking about a new study that showed the link between facebook and depression in teens.  The study mentioned that status updates and photos of happy-looking people can make kids feel like they don't measure up.  After I heard this, my immediate thought was "In teens? What about in adults!"

Now, I don't tally how many times I'm tagged in pictures or how many "friends" I have, but I have caught myself comparing myself to others and logging off of Facebook frustrated and unhappy.  It is so easy to lose yourself as you peer into other people's lives.  And the truth is that the lives that seem-to-be are not real lives at all! Pictures, status updates, and comments all scream "Here is the image of my life I am willing to share.  Amazing.  Fun.  Prosperous. Without a worry."  It's a skewed view of their reality.  Obviously people are not always happy. Obviously difficult times come.  But, sadly, few people are willing to expose their doubts, their fears or their failures. And this is true on Facebook or off Facebook. 

So two weeks ago, I removed myself from the site.  I didn't close my account, but I stopped going on FB to waste time aka spend hours checking out what other people are doing.  In my prayer time, God brought up the scripture "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off."  Obviously Jesus wasn't advocating random amputation, but He was getting at the willingness to say goodbye to the things that cause us to sin.   And the sin that I was committing while on Facebook was coveting.  It's a commandment you know...Don't covet thy neighbors goods.  Which in plain language means "Don't want what's not yours."

Um, how difficult is not wanting what's not mine if I'm spending a lot of my day looking at what other people have?! 

Very difficult! And the bizarre thing is that, even though things aren't perfect in my life, I have been overwhelmingly blessed.  Which is why spending too much time on these sites can be so deceiving.  People who should be grateful end up feeling like they don't have enough. And that's a sad situation. So, poof, there Facebook went.  I still have popped in to check messages that I saw come through my email or to post scriptures on The Lampstand's FB page, but other than that, I have steered clear.

Now that I have extra time :) I've been spending more time in God's Word which obviously helps remind me of who I am in His eyes and the unique plans He has for my life.  I am able to fight back with His Word whenever residual doubt or worry tries to rear its ugly head.  The awesome thing is that I really do see a change in the condition of my heart and have a healthier perspective of my life and what God has blessed me with.  So in the spirit of a Facebook status post:

Nicole Williams: Thankful that a few small changes can make a world of difference

:)

Galatians 6: 4 -5 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵ for each one should carry their own load.  

2 Corin 10: 12  We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 

Proverbs 4: 23  Above all else, guard your heart,  for everything you do flows from it.