I want to write but don’t fully know what to say. I do know that there are some people out on the inter webs, social media, or whatever that need to hear this:
You can shut it down.
The computer, the phone, the tv, the tablets, whatever it is that’s causing fear, anxiety, worry: you can shut it down.
I know you need to hear it because I do too.
There is no rule that says we have to have social media. There is no law that says we need to argue with every little thing we don’t agree with. Nothing says we have to post every little thing about our lives. Whoever put it in our heads that our identities are found in “likes” is the worst. The actual worst.
Because let me tell you something: the news is literally designed to make you fearful. What used to be about keeping us informed now uses bias and fear mongering to keep us anxious, in a frenzy, and always tuning into it. It’s ridiculous. So in case no one told you: you can shut it down.
Social media is far from what it was “meant to be”. What used to be an outlet to keep in touch with family and friends is now used as a battleground for opinions, beliefs, and an all around thief of joy. We use it for instant gratification, a confidence boost, and a distraction from reality (because social media is truly a false reality). So in case no one told you: you can shut it down.
Do you know how simple it is to edit things now? Videos, pictures, news sources? With a click of a button, a swipe on a keyboard, you can change just about anything to make it seem a certain way. Nothing is truly as it seems.
But in case you forgot, in case you need a reminder, one thing has always and will always remain true:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Jesus is the only one who remains true. He is good, merciful, kind, loving, a comfort, the Savior, and our Father. Never, ever, has He gone back on His word. Never, ever, has He stopped loving us. Never, ever, has He stopped working on things for His glory and our good.
And while we’re busy being anxious, hateful, fearful, and the exact opposite of what we should be: He’s calling us back to Him, in His word. We’ve forgotten the things He’s said and commanded. And one stands out above all to me: Love.
“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:9-12
It’s all throughout the Bible, God commands us to love. Not just Him or family or friends, He commands us to love EVERYONE. And yeah, that means absolutely everyone. Those we agree and disagree with, those we like and don’t like, even those we hate (although we should never hate but that’s another post for another day). We love everyone because of Jesus. He died on the cross for ALL sinners. He died because He loved us knowing that we could never love Him back like He deserves. He died and rose again knowing that we’d still be sinful though the Holy Spirit lives in us, but He did it because He loves us.
Jesus loves us. Jesus hasn’t changed. Jesus won’t ever change.
He is our comfort. He is our hope. He is our peace.
So in case you need to hear it, in case you need permission, here it is: shut it all down. Shut down the tv, the phone, the news, etc. Shut it down and open up His word. Open up to Him in prayer, because although He knows our hearts and minds, He wants us to bring it all to Him.
Shut it all down and then open your heart, your doors, and your life. Go love on your neighbors, get to know them even if you know you have different lives. Shut it all down and start changing from within. Spend device free nights with your households, play the games you haven’t in forever, watch the movie you’ve wanted to see, invite those friends over you keep talking about and let them into your lives.
You can shut it down. You can stop allowing the noise of the world to come in and instead listen to the truth of Jesus. Stop letting fear, anxiety, depression, and worry rule your life.
Turn to Jesus. Cling to His truth and love.
Because Jesus is better.
Shut it down and cling to Him.
Jesus is better.
********note********
Anxiety, depression, panic, and other illnesses of the brain are very real medical issues. I never want to belittle that and this is not some post to do so. I know how real they are because I live them. Seeking out help is never a bad thing and I want to encourage you to do that if you’re struggling. Clinging to Christ, His word, and taking daily medication to help with the messed up chemical levels in my brain are what help me. The same may not be said for you and that’s ok. However, nothing will change in these struggles if you don’t seek the help you need. Especially if you’re more of a private person, no one can know what you’re going through unless you open up. So be open to those you trust, seek the help you need, seek Christ above all. Know that I love you and am praying for you. Jesus is better, friend.
Beauty in the Ashes 