When Facebook Gets to Be a Little Much

A few days ago, I hit my breaking point and decided I needed to take a break from time on Facebook. Honestly, I think I was on there too much anyway and had been feeling the nudge to dial back for months. Alas, sometimes a nudge isn’t enough and you just need a full-on smack upside the head. On that ill-fated Wednesday, I discovered that God is kind enough to give you what you need when you ignore the nudge for too long.  It resulted in a bit of an ugly cry… but it worked and I’m so glad it did.

My last three days off Facebook have been so freeing. Here’s what’s been happening since I got off Facebook:

• I’m thinking and reflecting instead of reacting.
• I’m praying instead of worrying and fretting.
• I’m talking with people close to me and seeking to develop a Biblical grid regarding the current political climate – not a Republican grid or a Democratic grid.
• I’m not getting drawn into the rantings of others – whether I agree or disagree with them. Which means I’m taking control of what I’m thinking about, not letting everyone else set that agenda for me.
• I’m not feeling the need to correct or balance someone else’s viewpoint when (let’s be honest) most of the time they’re not really looking for dialogue anyway.
• I’m finding other things to do. Like reading more. And baking chocolate chip cookies for my family.
• I’m not checking my phone as much because the dang Facebook app is no longer there. Did you know that you can just delete that puppy right off your phone? Wonder of wonders. You can. For real. There’s this sweet little “x” that you can just hit and “poof,” it’s gone.
• I’m not wasting my time sifting through false information or memes that have half-truths or illogical, strawman arguments.
• I’m blogging and writing again. Which is what I’ve been saying I want to do anyway – for months now. (Enter God and His way of nudging a little harder when we ignore Him.)
• I’m reflecting on the role of social media in my life. I don’t serve it. Rather, it needs to serve me and the woman I want to be. If it doesn’t do that, I need to either reapproach it or cut it out.

There are things I miss, for sure. Like my California cousin’s quips and her cute kid pics. Or my friend Marc’s photos.

I don’t think Facebook is all bad. I’ll probably be back in March. Although, that’s up the Lord and what He does in my heart this month.

But, I do know that for me, at this time, a full-on break was my clear way forward. Unfollowing or blocking people wasn’t going to cut it. I have thoughts about the rhetoric and hypocrisy I was beginning to see there. I think I’ll probably share those thoughts at some point but not until I’ve had time to really think about it and can be sure that it will add to the conversation in a meaningful way that edifies and builds.

In the meantime, I’m studying the Gospel of Mark with 200 other women at my church. And, I’m struck by the way Jesus always cut through the crap to the real, heart issue. He does it over and over again. He knew our deepest need was for Him – not for politics or religion or even physical healing. Just Him and the true heart-healing only He can bring.

p.s. – if you comment to this post on FB, I won’t see it. Because… you know… I’m not on there much right now. So, commenting on the blog would be a better route if it’s something you want me to see. {wink}