The other day I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed and a certain emotion began to overtake me. I saw couples writing on each other’s walls with things like, “I love you” or “I miss you.” I felt annoyed. I kept scrolling. Wedding photos. Happy, happy couples who made the big commitment. I felt happy for them, but I could also feel something else crawling its way into me. I kept scrolling. A girl had posted photos of herself looking amazing. “Wow, she’s gorgeous,” I thought, but also began to think something else about myself. I kept scrolling. Someone’s status said they were at the beach, someone else was traveling the world, someone else was getting a massage, someone else was getting a book published, …
Everything I saw on my newsfeed that day made me feel one thing: Jealousy. I was jealous that I didn’t have a boyfriend to write mushy things on my wall, jealous I had no wedding photos to post, jealous of that girl’s looks, jealous of the beach, the massage, the success, the beauty. And I felt myself growing less and less content with who I am and where I’m at in life. I seriously thought, “I need to just delete my Facebook.”
Is Facebook the Reason I’m Jealous?
But after really digging in deep to examine the issue, I realized Facebook is not the problem. I am.
If I am content with who I am and where God has me right now, I wouldn’t feel jealous of these other people and their happiness. I would be genuinely happy for them and happy for myself at the same time. Jealousy stems from insecurity. What about you? If Facebook is leaving you jealous, take a deeper look. You are actually just fearing that you aren’t as good as others. You are not content with yourself — your looks, your brains, your athleticism, your singleness, your house, your job, … the list can go on and on.
In Bible study this week, we read from the last chapter in John. One part stuck out to me where Peter and Jesus are talking while John is following behind. Jesus basically tells Peter that he is going to die an awful death in order to glorify God. Thanks for the heads up! Right? Well anyways, Peter then asks, “What about him?” and looks back toward John.
“If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me,” Jesus said to Peter. – John 21:18-22
To me, Jesus is saying, “Stop focusing on others. Worry about yourself. Do not compare yourself with those you see on Facebook or with anyone else. Instead, focus on your own walk with me.”
It was as if God was speaking straight to me through that Bible study, because it solved an issue I had been mulling over in my mind for at least a week. Stop comparing. Be content. It’s a matter of asking God to help you be content with what season of life you are in. And if that doesn’t work, then go ahead and delete your Facebook!
At the same time, we also need to look at ourselves and examine what we share on Facebook. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you are not allowed to post your beautiful wedding photos. Heaven knows I can’t wait to do that myself!
What I’m saying is what is your motivation? Why do you post what you post? Because if deep down you want to make yourself look good and fool people into believing your life is fantastic, that’s probably not the best intentions. Look at what you are posting and think to yourself, could this harm someone else’s walk with God? If what you are posting has an underlying intention of bragging and lifting yourself up, then maybe you shouldn’t post it. Will what you are writing make others feel less about themselves?
Our job as Christians is to keep ourselves from harming another person’s walk with God, to keep from putting any type of stumbling block in their path.
I get that Facebook is a place to share our joys and sometimes sorrows. Facebook can be great for lifting up those who have had bad days and rejoicing with those who have great news. It can be a great place to send prayer requests or maintain friendships. Believe me, I’m not getting rid of my Facebook anytime soon. But I do have a new goal for myself and another challenge for you:
I just ask that you check your intentions before posting and check your contentment before reading.
Do you follow me on Facebook? Let’s be friends.
I understand what you’re saying, but this is something that would never cross most guys minds, I think. Some girls might do it to show off, but guys are either doing it because their girl is mad at them and they need some bonus points. Lol or because they just want their girlfriend to know how much she means to him!
Godblessamerica, I am not saying people do this to show off or brag. I’m sure most people do it with the best intentions. I just feel like it’s something that could be done privately — in a message, text or even hand-written letter. Especially if you know writing those things on your girlfriend’s wall will put a stumbling block in someone else’s path, as in make them feel jealousy or insecurity. Just my opinion. Thanks for sharing yours!
Seriously, I really appreciate this. One of the biggest problems for me was seeing all of our friends getting married, and me thinking, “This could have of been me.” Then jealousy setting in, to some of my best friends. That’s not right and virtuous. Thanks for the reminder, Tiff
I’m glad to be a reminder Jbon. It is definitely something I struggle with, but it all comes down to ourselves. We have to be content with where God has us in life, so as not to be jealous of where others are. It’s difficult, but so important. Thanks for commenting!