By Grace Through Faith

A few weeks ago, I noticed myself slipping back into unhealthy thinking patterns and perspectives. I was more conscious of my self-image, caring about my reputation, accomplishments, and the opinions of others.

While I was in graduate school, the Lord was convicting me of turning off my comments on my social media posts. Personally, the comments were doing more harm than good for me at the time.

My main love language is words of affirmation. I take words very seriously, and sometimes, I put TOO much emphasis or meaning behind words received. I was noticing unhealthy thinking patterns when it came to the comments on my social media posts. No one was commenting anything negative! So that wasn’t my issue. My issue was how I was internally processing the comments received.

When I got comments on one post about how I looked and not on another, I started thinking that the picture with less likes or less comments was not a pretty photo of me. This is just one example of the types of thoughts I would have with it.

I also felt convicted at the time about the reasoning of why I was posting in the first place. What was I trying to gain? Many times, I wanted to feel worthy and seen for what I was doing. However, I was learning that social media is not about me sharing my blessings to others for a way to get affirmation of who I am. It is a gift from the Lord to have freedom in sharing my story, to which it will point back to Jesus and glorify Him.

Knowing that these were some concerns I was having with social media, I decided to turn off the comments, so that posting would be more fun and enjoyable for myself. Instead of feeling like I was living life for others’ approval out there, I started using it more as a creative outlet and letting it reflect what God was doing in my life as a source of personal gratitude.

Even offline, I notice myself falling into worries of what others think about me, occasionally worrying that I will rub someone the wrong way with my words at times. Recently, I’ve been praying for the Lord to work on my heart. I’ve noticed a need to lean more into having humility and a tender heart, as well as letting Him strengthen me on the outside with tough skin.

We live in a world where we display our “image” to people either on social media or in-person. However, as Christians, we are called to be set apart and not fit a mold of the culture.

By praying for strength and tougher skin, I am hoping to not take every comment or critic to heart in negative ways. Typically, these fears of what other people think can drive my whole day wild if I choose to let them. I can be easily distracted and harder on myself and others, letting judgement settle in.

However, the words that we should focus on when it comes to our identity and value should be the words of scripture! What He calls us should remain the source of our identity. The truth that the Lord loves us unconditionally and sent His Son to pay our sinful debt is the greatest form of approval we will receive in this lifetime. He calls us chosen, worthy, and His children.

But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things he has done. The Scriptures say, “Once you were nobody. Now you are God’s people. At one time no one had mercy on you. Now God has treated you with kindness.” – 1 Peter 2:9-10

Open up your Bible today and reflect on who God says you are. The voice of God should be the loudest voice you’re listening to in your life.

With love,

Claire