Facebook & instagram & snapchat, OH MY!

Well, I pulled a mad scientist test on myself... I actually recommend this one for you as well! No, I didn't drink some green sludge every morning to lose three inches. I did something far more unlikely for me. Are you ready? I downloaded every social media account I had. I even created some new ones. I know this sounds really chill for people my age & yes it is. But this is the reason, I read an article a few weeks ago about teen depression. According to studies the more social media accounts you have & check regularly the more depressed you are. I know you're probably losing interest in this because you've probably heard SO MUCH from everyone about 15 years older than you about how phones rot your brain. Don't click off though, just read my story. A week before Christmas I noticed how angry people are around me. How my peers & friends treat each other. How fake people are these days literally makes me sick to my stomach. With depression numbers on the rise, I decided I was going to try this out. If you know me you'd know that I'm a energetic, slightly loud, & generally positive person. I have never struggled with depression, or self worth problems. The Lord has been gracious to me by sparing me of these things. To get to the point of depression that many solid teens are at would take a lot for me, or so I thought. So I downloaded them, I checked them regularly, viewed, posted, liked, commented, snapped and even entertained the gushing responses I got over my "perfect" life. Quickly I felt the pressure to be staged, to show off this life I live. It is beautiful here, it is blessed by God but I am NOT perfect, my life is NOT perfect. I loved the response I was getting, I liked being in the know about what is "lit" these days. I felt like I might keep this up. I liked how I looked from the outside. I was who I wanted to be. But oh so quickly this wore off. I started getting agitated, uncomfortable & pretty fake. I actually CARED what the celebs were wearing at the Golden Globe awards or what those Kardashians were doing last week. But worse then those things, I turned to social media for information & opinions before I turned to the one true Lord of the Heavens & the earth. I checked my phone in the morning before grabbing my bible & coffee. I felt like I wasn't myself. Not even a little bit... I collapsed. I had felt depression. I actually was discontent & angry with my life. THIS amazing life that the Lord gave me.

Now, do you feel like this? If you do, I'm sorry. I really encourage you to take a full detox from tech. To meditate & focus on your Lord Jesus. You may be one of those people who posts everyday at peak hour to gain followers & is friendly to everyone on social media. Who is really in it for the follows, likes or views. It might feel nice to know that so many people are watching your life & fawning over you, but this is shallow if you are putting it above your God given responsibilities. Plus, it is still a self control exercise to take a break. If you have all your social media & it hasn't caught up to you, wow you are strong & pretty stable. But I still ask you to examine your attitude. You might be missing something & the only person to reveal it to you is Jesus.

So you might ask what I'm doing here sitting on my computer while I tell you not to be on yours. Well, I'm actually leaving y'all, the 'gram & other outlets for a week or longer. I wanna live my moments free for a bit. The Lord specifically gave me a word for 2017, it is FOCUS (Prov. 4:25-26). I want to focus on Jesus & what He wants me to do, I want to focus on my family & my friends that are right here. But I'm also taking some time to seek God about my future. I'm excited! I ask you to pray for me in the process & also to contemplate giving up your distractions for a week or so & focusing on what God has for you.

I love you guys, thanks for reading & studying with me. Shoot me a quick text or email & I will be praying for you all who are going to start a journey of focus with me:)

2 Timothy 1:7- "For God has not given us a spirit of fear & timidity, but of power, LOVE, & self-discipline."