Help, I'm Addicted to Social Media!

Various social media apps have now become part of our daily lives. For example, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, Line, WeChat, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and many more. At the very least, we have used one of those many applications as a means of communication or to seek information.

However, behind all its many benefits, social media can become a great enemy if we are addicted to using it.

What does that look like?

We get anxious when only a few people view our stories or give a thumbs-up to the photos we post, or when our followers are fewer than other people's. We become insecure because we feel our lives are not as beautiful as the stories other people present. Then it feels as if something is missing if we do not open our social media pages for even one day. We stay up too late, wake up too late, and become indifferent to what is around us, because we spend too much time in the virtual world rather than the real one.

Do you see signs of social media addiction in yourself?

If so, let us learn the solution together.

Strengthen Self-Control

Your foundation for being free from social media addiction is actually quite simple—it’s all about self-control. Unfortunately, self-control is easy to talk about but hard to practice.

So, we need to know where we can get self-control from.

But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law against such things. – Galatians 5:22-23

Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Then where do the fruits of the Spirit come from?

“I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

Only in Jesus can we bear much fruit of the Spirit, including self-control. So, to be able to control yourself in anything, you must live in the Lord.

What if without the Lord ?

The verse above says that you can do nothing without the Lord.

Ask Yourself These 3 Things

There are three things you must ask yourself so that you do not become addicted to social media.

1. What is my purpose in using social media?

With the foundation of self-control you learned above, try asking yourself, “Why do I need social media? What is its purpose?”

Basically, social media makes it easier for users to exchange information, connect them in social and professional networks, and serve as one of the means of business marketing. With social media, distance is no longer an obstacle in communication.

However, that basic function of social media has now shifted for some people. So, answer the following questions personally:

Am I using social media as a place to pour out my heart?

Am I deliberately drawing people's attention through social media (not in a professional or business capacity)?

You must understand that social media cannot replace real human presence or fill the emptiness in your heart.

Only the Lordcan fill the emptiness in your heart. The warmth of friendship face to face can never be replaced by friendship in the virtual world.

If you use social media for purposes like these, it is no wonder you become addicted. You will keep glancing at your social media notification screen to find out who liked, followed, or commented on your status, what they said, and so on. If you do not get those things, you are dissatisfied and feel there is something wrong with your post .

So, if your very purpose in using social media is wrong, how can the result be right?

Try fixing your purpose first. If you need friends, look for real friends (not only through social media) and through the right community. If you need someone to fill the emptiness in your heart, seek the Lord. Take time to study His word. The Lord deliberately placed that emptiness there so that you would seek Him with all your heart.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10

True satisfaction and fulfillment really come from God alone.

2. Is that purpose beneficial?

After having the right purpose in using social media, ask the second question: “Is all of this really beneficial for me?”

Social media enables you to get information from all corners of the world in real-time.

The problem is, do you really need all that information?

“Hey, celebrity A got married to celebrity B, you know. This one got divorced from that one …”

“Wow, that person has such a good life. All they do is travel abroad …”

Social media helps us stay updated on how our friends are doing. We can keep communicating with those who are physically far away. But do you realize that sometimes the information coming in can be too much, and in fact, you do not need it?

Do you need to stay constantly updated on the status of celebrities around the world? Do you always have to know the current global economic and political situation too?

There are some professions that require a person to get information quickly, such as journalists or stockbrokers. But if that is not your job, too much information, especially the kind you do not need, can make you insecure and less grateful.

Know this: people generally share only the things they allow you to see, not everything. You only see the good sides on social media. If you become jealous and start comparing a snippet of their photos or statuses with your life as a whole, it’s not fair. That is not a proper comparison. In reality, you are letting yourself be deceived.

I once posted a photo while on a trip out of town, wearing a happy expression and, of course, adding a cool caption Even though, that photo was taken right after I had cried because I argued with my younger sibling. But who knew? Only I did. And, the Lord.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent and worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8 Everything may look good, but it is not necessarily beneficial for you. Use your time and thoughts for things that are far more important and more valuable.

3. Have I used my time effectively?

Now, after sorting out what should be done with social media, the next question is: “Have I used my time effectively to get the maximum benefit from social media?”

Here are tips and tricks so you can still enjoy the benefits of social media without becoming addicted:

• Check social media only after coming home from work / college
• Open social media only when there is free Wi-Fi available (it helps save internet data too, right?)
• Log out of all social media accounts during work / class hours
• Limit your social media usage each day, for example a maximum of 30 minutes
• Only allowed to check social media after … (quiet time, all the day's work is finished, after a certain hour, and so on)

Without realizing it, you may spend at least 1-2 hours every day checking social media. Day will follow day. Month will follow month. Try adding it all up; perhaps that total time could be used for things that are far more beneficial.

Therefore be very careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because these days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lordis. – Ephesians 5:15-17

So, have you used the time that the Lord has given wisely? Do not be like the foolish who waste their time. Use your time to understand the will of the Lord. One day, everything you do on earth must be accounted for before the Lord. Are you ready? Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment! – Ecclesiastes 11:9

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. – Romans 14:12

So, it is actually not that hard, is it, to break free from social media addiction?

You simply need to learn self-control, and examine whether your purpose, the benefit of your use, and your use of time in making use of social media are right. Be wise. Control your life before it controls you. Once you master this principle, you can apply it to other areas of life. And remember that self-control can only be yours if you abide in Jesus.

Amen.

*Church GKDI currently exists in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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