Confession: I don't like Facebook. But I'm still on it. I've realized that this is the best way to keep in touch with friends and family that I don't see on a regular basis. I have several reasons that I don't like it, but here is one gigantic reason this particular social media platform drives me crazy.
Jealousy. Seriously. I know I'm not alone. I've read statistics on Facebook jealousy. A lot of people struggle with it. Personally, I have no problem when I see my friends post photos of their amazingly exotic vacations. It's like I get to live vicariously through them when I see their photos. However, I have a hard time when I read status updates or see photos from my mom friends getting together for play dates. Without me. But it's not like they're trying to exclude me, in fact, I know they aren't. Often times I was invited to join them but declined, because the play date interfered with one of
Cheese's naps.
So at these times, I have to remind myself why I do what I do. Cheese is still little. Naps are important, and having a well-rested child dramatically improves our home life. So even though I may not
like missing out on all the play-dates my friends attend, this is only a
temporary situation. Cheese won't always need naps. As he begins to outgrow them, we will join our friends for play-dates again.
At some point everyone struggles to stay content with their current circumstances. It can be difficult to just accept our current situation in life, especially if it's beyond our control. It's so easy to compare your circumstances with someone else, and Facebook makes it easier. Comparison and jealousy can creep into your life without a conscious realization, and it's so important keep your heart guarded from these invasions. It's crucial to remember that when our lives line up with God's will for us, these circumstances are often ordained by Him. There is always something we can learn from our current circumstance. What do you need to learn from your circumstance?
I doubt that every has issues with Facebook in the same way that I do, but I do know that every one struggles with jealousy from time to time. One of the best ways to defend yourself is to keep your mind and heart on things from above.
- "...for I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:11-12
So the next time you find those jealous feelings rising up, Stop. Remind yourself of the importance of maintaining a content mindset, and ask yourself, "
What is it that I need to learn from this situation?"
1 comment:
Totally feel the same way. Thanks for the encouraging post. I struggle with jealousy wishing I had a car to get out sometimes, money for the fun outings people do, a job for my husband to be able to get weekends off, and even seeing my friends beautiful house pictures with all the beautiful decorations I dream of having someday and wishing my house could look that beautiful all the time. But then I get off FB and realize I enjoy being able to stay home with my girls while they are so little and full of life questions and want to talk and play with me, I enjoy having a few weekday mornings with my husband free, and I enjoy making silly decorations out of scraps with my girls. I have too many out of town relatives and friends to quit FB, so I guess I will have to just keep practicing contentment.
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