Patient and Aware

I titled this "Patient and Aware" because these are the two things that have been struggling to co-exist in my mind this year. In a world with social media, people are so quick to say something, more times destructive than not, and with that brings a crossroads for many of us Christians. I know that I've faced an internal dilemma on whether or not I should "take a break" from social media, but every single time, God has told me not to. You may be asking why, and I want to tell you what God has revealed to me since remaining on social media.

I've always thought that as Christians, especially nowadays with the easy access of information, it is important to stay aware of as much as we can that is going on in the world and in the people. Otherwise I feel as though we can become more ignorant, which is definitely not what God calls of us. HOWEVER, it is even harder in 2020 to know that what we are reading is 100% factual and what is not. I fully believe it is your own personal responsibility, no matter who you are, to fact check. Sometimes it's hard not to like, share, etc. something just because at first glance/read it fits your agenda or beliefs, or even the opposite (to "call out" others' opinions/beliefs). 2020 is the year of cancel culture, inaccurate information, emotion above logic, comment-before-you-think, and much more. I personally need to be better about researching the facts, and making sure what I'm researching is unbiased and that I am getting all of the information, not just snippets.

BE AWARE.

By remaining on social media AND looking back to the Bible, specifically in a time like this, the big picture of our people's true self has been revealed to me. I am nowhere near perfect, and by no means am I condemning anyone. I am not better than anyone. But just today I read a passage that made me feel like I just woke up from a coma. I just have to share it.

READ EVERY WORD SLOWLY.

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." 2 Timothy 3:1-5*

WOW.

I don't know about you, but every. single. descriptive. word. I was able to check off the list of the type of world we live in right now. Those exact words are what I have been witnessing with my own eyes on social media. I'm also checking myself to make sure that if I am doing any of those things that I am asking God to nip that in the bud. Always check yourself. But guys, this is the real deal. Wake up! This isn't "temporary".

*I also encourage you to read 2 Timothy 2:22-26, that one also hit me like a ton of bricks.

I also want to say that I am not judging anyone who has decided to take a break from social media. I do believe that if it is negatively affecting your attitude to the point of ruining your day or making you act/talk the way you shouldn't, it is a good idea to take a break and ask God for help with that. If it is ruining your mental health, take a break. For me personally, I've struggled with how quick I am to get angry or frustrated. I'm still trying to figure out if it is righteous anger or not, but I know not all of it is, and that's why I feel like God is working on patience with me. He is teaching me to pray when I start to feel frustrated. I encourage you to ask God to open your heart and ears to hear what He's trying to tell you, and for Him to reveal what He needs you to do. I got hit with the feeling today that I need to spread the message of Jesus more than ever. Pray fervently. Read your Bible, it has more answers to your questions than you may realize.

Be patient. Be aware.