BY SHILA ANDERSON
As I scroll through my Facebook posts, I have to laugh. So many happy memories, family vacations, accomplishments – all good things. It really gives the illusion that my life is so perfect. My life, perfect? Again, I have to laugh.
I personally choose not to put my “whole” life out there for the world to see. My Facebook friends don’t see the hard times, the hurts, the disappointments, or the areas that need healing. This week, in fact, you didn’t see that our refrigerator, a computer, and a shower faucet all broke in our house. And if that weren’t bad enough, the shower faucet breaking led to a gaping hole in the ceiling in my kitchen. Nope, I didn’t post that picture. This past year we’ve been through many changes in our life and, as you know, change is hard. There were some major hurts that came from that. You won’t see that on my Facebook feed either.
I realize that many of us only put our best self out there and keep the yucky stuff to ourselves. I don’t see anything wrong with that, except when the comparison game begins. What happens when I compare my unposted imperfect life to the perfect, edited posts of my family and friends? It just doesn’t make sense – I’m not comparing apples to apples.
Does anyone else out there get stuck in the social media comparison game? Or is it just me? We should ask ourselves, what are our motives for our scrolls? Are we genuinely interested in the goings on of our friends, or are we looking to compare? Are we in a place where we can feel happy for them, or are we just going to be upset about our own life? Are we losing our joy by our comparisons? Are we thinking everyone else is perfect, but us?
Remember this, no one is perfect. Jesus is the only one that is perfect. Just because you may only be seeing the perfect, doesn’t mean that it’s all that is there. Don’t judge. Don’t get jealous. If it leads to that, maybe you need to take a break from social media altogether. Sometimes we need to take our eyes off of the screen and get our eyes on Christ. Turn your scrolling time into devotional time. Find a plan you like on your Bible App and get into the Word of God.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure. – Psalm 16:8-9
I thank God for the me that He made me. I love my imperfectly perfect life. And the next time I get myself in a comparison funk, I’ll remind myself to get my face in The Book and out of Facebook. I hope you will do the same.