Are You Using Social Media Effectively?

That was the question asked after the great Facebook cleanse!

I thought I was...... but God showed me different.

Let me start at the beginning.... or with the first, of many, confessions and lessons....

I am known for posting “life lessons” I find on Pinterest or have shared from another friend’s post.  

Sometimes the post is passive aggressive or triggered by an event which recently occurred.  

However, most of the time the post simply represents a “life lesson” which spoke to my heart or served as a reminder.

The later was the reason in this situation... and continues to be.

However, even though I walked into a pile of poo, which I did not completely understand, there are several lessons I have learned along the way.  

And I am learning to be thankful for God's way of molding us into the vessel he has created us to be.  See: Isaiah 64:8

Let me share these lessons; as they are ultimately the reason for this post. 

Lesson #1

No matter how hard you try to stay away from drama~ Satan, that pesky little devil, has this way of bringing the drama to you.  

Remember, it will be okay because the bible tells us that even though we are Christians we are not immune to trouble.

See: John 16:33

Also, It is how we respond which will either bring him glory or allow the devil to shut us down.

Lesson #2

I also learned how easy it is to allow communications through social media to replace one-to one-communications.  

Although technology is an amazing invention, sometimes people need to look at you and hear the tone of your voice then they can truly understand what the you are trying to communicate.  

Words can so easily be misinterpreted in writing.  Not to mention when you actually try to have a conversation, it sounds more like a text than an actual conversation.  

Lesson #3

This next lesson bit me, for lack of a better description, in my own butt.  

Confession:  I am a recovering Facebook stalker..... and judger.

Three weeks out, but who is really counting?!?

I had this pesky habit, not to mention addicting habit, of reading the post of others and saying or thinking things, such as 

"I can't believe.....just posted this."

"Really, all you want is attention" or 

"I can't believe.... just commented on this."

I would even screen shot it the post and send it to others.  

Whew! Clearly, I skimmed over the scripture on gossip.  

See https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-gossip/

James 1:26~ Okay so now I am crying as I write this.  

Although inappropriate from the start, this became even more inappropriate (if possible) when I allowed it to change the lenses with which I saw people: personal & professional.... friends & family. 

In Matthew 7:2, the Bible talks about how the same standard from which we judge others will be used to judge us.

DING, DING, DING... time for the butt biting.

When I commented on "the" post, my intentions were pure.  

It was a life lesson~ a great one.  

It also coincided with the verse of scripture about the devil disguising himself in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). 

Harmless, right?

WRONG!!!

Back to Lesson #1~ the devil will bring drama to you

AND don't forget 

Lesson #2~ people need to communicate 1:1 to fully understand what the person is trying to communicate.  

Which leads us to Lesson #3~ Kerri was judged by the same standard by which she judged others. 

I was heartbroken; as I am sure others would be if they knew how I had judged them.

All of a sudden, 

I wanted the opportunity to explain myself; as I am sure others would have also wanted had they known how I judged them.

Lesson #4

If you are using social media effectively then those who are your friends on Facebook will KNOW, truly KNOW, your character through your actions.   

Clearly, I was not using social media effectively. 

What followed was an emotional, yet the GREAT cleanse of FB and some explaining to those friends and family who deserved an explanation for the sudden change.

THEY had done anything wrong.  

It was me... 

ALL ME.... 

.....KERRI who had done the wrong.  

The only thing I knew to do was remove myself from the situation. Period!

"So you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall.  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is a faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will provide also a way out so you can endure it" 

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 

And he did.... thus the Facebook Cleanse

So, why do I share this?

Although others may not share my same conviction, God may choose to speak to someone who might read this.  

Just know you are not alone, and he is molding you.  

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" 

Matthew 11:28-29.

Accept his gentle redirection and take your next step; whether it is a cleanse or a different approach to social media.

Either way... 

Just listen to his guidance and learn from my mistake.

Was it easy?  No

Is it easy now? No

BUT

I am alive~ Three weeks in counting~ but who is really counting?!?