Social Media – Good or Bad?

Hi, readers! You may have noticed that I’ve been a day late with my schedule these past couple posts. That’s just because I was part of a blog tour, and my set date was Sunday … so I decided to push my Tuesday post to Wednesday. But after this, things shall get back on the schedule. 😉

Today I’m going to talk a little bit about social media. Is it good? Is it bad?

There are so many social media sites out there these days. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, Pinterest, Goodreads, and whatever else. It seems like as soon as you make an account on one, another one gets popular and everyone moves over there. So you go make an account on that site then …

And soon you have a whole list of accounts and profiles and usernames and friends and notifications you have to keep track of.

So is this a problem?

Let’s cut to the chase. Yes. It very well can be a problem.

It can be overwhelming. Stressful. Time-consuming. It can cause discontentment, jealousy, insecurity, and even more loneliness than you had in the first place. It can open up doors for unhealthy friendships or sexual temptations.

On the other hand, social media can be used in a very good way. It can provide platforms that you would have never had. It can get you connected with like-minded people who share your interests and passions that you wouldn’t have met otherwise. It can help you stay in touch with friends and family who move far away. It can help spread the word about your work, passion, and pursuits.

If not for social media and blogs, my sales for my fairy tale novella would have been cut down dramatically. Because of my presence on Goodreads and my steady blogging, I was able to connect with readers and writers who were interested in me and my work before I ever published my first book!

Through Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and blogging, I was able to spread the word once my book was published and got a lot more response than I expected. Even most of my relatives, family, and friends who bought my book heard about it through Facebook and ordered it directly from me – giving me more of the profit and them a cheaper price.

So without social media, internet, blogs and the like, the things I’m passionate about – writing, blogging, reading, bookish stuff – wouldn’t be even half of what they are today.

Today I run two blogs. I have a Youtube channel. I’m a published author of a novella. I’ve connected with some of my favorite authors. I receive free books to read and review from publishers and authors. I’ve “met” many an introverted, bookish writer who I can relate to so much, and I’ve received such encouragement and blessings from these lovely “online friends”!

I’ve gotten emails and messages and comments from people telling me how my blog post or book has encouraged and spoken hope to them.

I’ve been able to connect with distant cousins and this opened the door to actually getting to know them in real life! *happiness*

I’ve been asked about my writing and when I’m going to publish my next book. 🙂

I have a PURPOSE in this. There is meaningful work in it. I’m able to use my passions and gifts and get them out to the world somewhat, and then see God work and use my efforts in other people’s lives! Stranger’s lives, sometimes! This is truly beautiful.

Also, I have read lots of blog article that have strengthened me in my walk with Christ. And ones that have encouraged me mightily as a writer. I have learned, and discovered, been encouraged & challenged, and listened to many a great and passionate speaker.

I can scarcely begin to list all the incredible ways I believe God has used blogs, Youtube, social media, internet and the like to impact my life.

On the flip side, I’ve struggled with wasting time on social media or checking it too much in a day because I’m looking for some fulfillment or companionship.

Scrolling through Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram because I’m bored, lonely, or anxious is not profitable or using my time wisely.

I realized this some time ago and decided I needed to get a life. 😉 So now days I’m only occasionally on Pinterest or Instagram (I don’t post on Instagram, I just follow some people), and I am purposeful about limiting my Facebook time. Some days I don’t check it at all because every time I go to check it, I realize I’m just bored or lonely and I know there’s something else more meaningful that I can be doing.

Psalm 107:9

⁹ For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Mainly, Twitter is used for sharing my blog post or Youtube video links. No more mindless scrolling on there either.

Some time ago I was getting anxious and feeling down because of all the bad news and arguments on Facebook, so I went on a Facebook break. I think I was off for a month. Friends, social media breaks are a great thing to do every once in awhile. Let yourself breathe, and give yourself a check up: Is this break so hard that I might actually be addicted to my social media?

Youtube is one that I still struggle with every now and then. Once I start watching videos, it can be hard to stop. Like when I find a really well-spoken young conservative talking about all the hot topics of the day, I can find myself staying up way too late, just clicking on the next video … and the next video … (Liz Wheeler is one such conservative I’ve admired!)

So that’s something I have to be careful about. I need to set a timer or something. 😉

Besides being a waste of time, social media can cause anxiety (as I mentioned in the example above), discontentment, or jealousy.

Friends, if your social media is provoking you to these things, you need to make a change. It’s not worth it. Take a break. Or delete your account altogether.

Proverbs 4:5-6

⁵ Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.

Social media can expose you to sexual immorality and temptation. This is more of a danger/struggle for men, but it’s also something girls need to be aware of and careful about. There are some women who have been drawn into pornography and the like, so we should never pretend there’s not nastiness to be found on the internet or that we are immune to temptation.

If social media is causing you to stumble in this way, get out! Get rid of it! It is, in no way, worth your purity and peace of mind. There are blocking and accountability programs you can get if you (or your children, someone in your family, etc.) struggles.

Matthew 5:29

²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you;

Is it lowering the quality of your time spent with family and friends?

Is it taking away from your time alone with God? Is it messing with your relationship with Him in any way?

Colossians 2:6

⁶ As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

There are a myriad of other negative things, as well. From the temptations to post slightly seductive photos in order to feel beautiful and good about yourself, to unhealthy online dating relationships, to feeling safe to say nasty things because you’re behind a computer screen.

So as amazing as social media and internet access can be, they also come with weighty responsibility. And if we want to use social media in a God-honoring way, we need to step up to that purposeful maturity and responsibility.

1. Honestly evaluate your social media – how you use it, how much time you spend on it, how you affect other people with it, how it makes you feel, etc.
2. Take action. Make boundaries. Be purposeful. Take the steps necessary to keep you responsible.

So whatever you do, do it all for God’s glory and honor! If social media is causing you to be tempted, lazy, become anxious, neglect important or meaningful things – if it is in any way pulling you away from God or His purposes for your life – then step back and make some changes.

1 Corinthians 10:31

³¹ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Just because something can be great, doesn’t mean it can’t also be very negative.

And that’s what I have to say for now on this subject.

Use your blog, your social media, whatever else FOR GOOD. And don’t forget to get plenty of time with people face-to-face. Hang out. Encourage each other. Laugh. Have dinner together. Get down on the floor and play with your kids.  Talk to your loved ones without any distractions. Meet new people. Make friends. Connect often. Spread the good news. Make disciples!

In everything you do, both online and face-to-face, do it all with the desire to make much of His name.

Go forth in God’s peace!

❤ Lady Grace

Psalm 27:4-5

⁴ One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.

⁵ For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

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