Images of “beauty” and “perfection” account for a significantly large amount of content on social media, and as a matter of logic, these images can lead users to feel insecure about their appearance and life. This is not a new issue as previous generations were exposed to “supermodels” in various mediums. A view of the optimum male physique emerged in the ‘90s and looking like Barbie has been a goal for women for decades. In either case, the message is clear – “this” is what you should look like.

However, the Bible says in 1 Peter 3:3-4 – Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 

God Himself reinforced this when he spoke to Samuel about choosing the next King of Israel. – But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

According to a University of Pennsylvania study, extensive users of Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, reported increased feelings of loneliness. The same study, meanwhile, concluded that users who reduced their usage reported feeling less lonely, which correlates to an improved sense of well-being. An experiment performed by researchers at Iowa State University had 230 students limit their social media use to 30 minutes a day and had similar findings.

The point to remember is that no matter who does or doesn’t spend time with you, God is always there for you. Psalm 27:10 says – Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. 

Yes, feelings of loneliness can be overwhelming. They can lead to anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. The simple solution would be to stop doing things that cause you to feel lonely. Sometimes, that is easier said than done. In those cases, you need to cast it on God (1 Peter 5:7). Don’t let it get you down. Remember that God is always with you and He will take care of you. 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 

The thought that other people are having more fun or are better off in their lives affects all of us. The fact social media users are able to immediately check for notifications, updates, etc., has intensified these feelings in many users. In part, this is the reason states enacted distracted driving laws. Many tragic accidents have happened as a result of cell phone users feeling compelled to check their phones even while operating a motor vehicle.

The age-old saying ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’ couldn’t be truer. Even when you are on the other side, there is always something else that seems better. With social media, it’s very easy to see these things and want them to try to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ so to speak. However, you shouldn’t covet, (Exodus 20:17). Remember that God gave you what you have and He wants you to appreciate it. He wants you to be happy with it and to be a good steward of it. Only then will God give you more. 

James 1:17 says – Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

God made you exactly the way you are and He wants you to be the person He created you to be. You have a purpose, so don’t worry about what other people have or don’t have. Focus on yourself and try to see yourself the way God sees you which is as His child. 

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

Unlike years past when bullying was seemingly tolerated, and arguably people were conditioned to deal with it, bullying has become very serious. With the Internet, it has been exacerbated. According to the Pew Research Center, 46 percent of teens 13 to 17 reported at least one of six behaviors defined as cyberbullying from April to May 2022. The behaviors included name-calling, false rumors, receiving explicit images, and being physically threatened.

Unfortunately, with evil ruling this world bullying will never end. Therefore, you must remember two things. First, it isn’t the person who is bullying you. It is the evil within them. Use Scripture and cast it out. Overcome them. Take the fight to the spiritual realm allow God to fight for you and WIN! 

Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

The second thing you need to consider is why you are being bullied or persecuted. Watch this sermon about Why God Allows Satan To Torment You.  If you are doing nothing wrong then seek refuge in God (Nahum 1:7). He cares for you and will help you through. Trust Him. In addition, if you are a Christian, remember that you are going to have problems in this world. Christians are always under attack.

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Yes, being bullied is never a good thing. However, use the situation to strengthen your faith and build endurance. Remember to hate the sin and not the sinner. Show God’s love to your enemies. It’s the absolute best way to get back at them. 

Proverbs 25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

Due to the serious nature of depression as a medical condition and its degrees from situational to clinical, researchers are ethically careful in determining causes. An article posted on the Psyche Central website qualifies the distinction between medically recognized depression and an emotional state. It adds, however, that exposure to harmful behavior and rhetoric can impact one’s mood and even cause depressive symptoms.

Depression seems to be something that more and more people have. Remember, it isn’t new. Depression has plagued people since the beginning of time. In fact, many great Christians struggled with depression and did amazing things for God. King David was one of them. Don’t believe me? Read the book of Psalms. The verses are riddled with his struggles and how he relied on God to carry him through his depression. (Psalm 102:1-11, Psalm 40:1-5).

Psalm 34:17-18 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 143:7-8 Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

God was able to carry David through his depression and help him accomplish many great things. Do you think God loved David more than you? Absolutely not! God doesn’t have favorites (Romans 2:11). That means God will help you as well. All you need to do is ask.

Stanford psychiatrist Anna Lembke authored “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence,” which explains what she learned from patients and neuroscience about dopamine – a chemical in our brain that is secreted when we experience reward. In an article on the Stanford Medicine website, Lembke said, “These apps can cause the release of large amounts of dopamine into our brain’s reward pathway all at once, just like heroin, or meth, or alcohol.”

In reality, the only way to beat addiction is to replace it with something else. Once addicted always addicted. Humans are too weak to beat addiction. We simply cannot do it. It’s harsh, but the truth hurts. So, what’s the secret to beating addiction? You must believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). 

Addiction is a sin. You are allowing some earthly thing to drive your behavior. You are allowing something to have control over you that is not Godly. You are giving in to temptation and giving birth to sin (James 1:15). You are a slave. 

The only way to beat addiction is to allow God to take over your life. Let Him set you free from your sin and your addiction. Begin to obey God rather than giving in to your earthly desires. Replace your master of addiction with Jesus Christ as your one true master. 

Romans 6:16-23 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of?

Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Note how much time you spend using social media daily, and then reduce that time by 10, 20, or 30 minutes. Calculate how much time you saved yourself at the end of your starting week. Three fewer hours on social media is also three hours to participate in more productive interests, such as attending church and church social events.

Social media platforms have many notifications to alert you to updates, likes, messages, etc. They may be serving their intended purpose, but they are also distracting your attention and luring you back online to stay engaged. Simply turn off all of these forms of notifications and reclaim your time as solely yours. Instead, use the time for prayer and meditation.

Develop the habit of turning your phone off when your full attention could and should be elsewhere. This is especially useful when driving but also if you are in a professional setting, socializing in person, eating with others, or spending quality time with family. You will soon appreciate the peace and be better positioned to hear God in your life.

This is directed more at times when you probably should not concern yourself with social media stressors, such as going through your morning routine, exercising, or winding down for sleep. Leave your device in your home office, locker, or another room, and allow yourself time to contemplate daily devotions without interruption.

For those with serious concerns about their social media use and how it may be adversely affecting their quality of life, delete all social media from your phone and only allow access to these platforms from a laptop or a PC. Doing this will provide you with an immediate addition to your win column and allow ample time to read Scripture.

Take time to honestly review who and what you are following on social media and determine which are producing content that negatively affects your self-esteem. Any source that produces idealized images of “beauty” and “wealth” is promoting idolatry and is unhealthy. It is also not consistent with the virtues taught to us by Jesus.

Defined as “the ability to judge people and things well,” discernment, especially when it is Christ-inspired, will allow you to honestly ask yourself if your use of social media and the sources you choose to follow are nurturing your soul. Unless you are following decent or Christian sources, the likely answer is no. You can start by following SMM.