Is Social Media the Best Place to Vent?

     We live in the age of social media. Everyone keeps connected online, you don't have to be with someone to know who they are with or what they are eating. Everyone documents EVERYTHING on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, or Vine.

     Lately, I have noticed a trend on all social media sites. On twitter friends "subtweet" negative things about one another. And many people mistake Facebook for their personal diary, writing statuses about all the drama and people they don't like in their life. Gossip and bitterness between others has soared to a new level since smart phones and tablets became so available. Lets see what the Bible has to say about all this talking.

"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."

Proverbs 18:21

     Have you ever heard the saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."? I used to scream that at the kids who picked on me on the playground in elementary school. The truth is that words are very hurtful. My tongue can bring more harm to others than my hands or feet. As believers, when we use social media to vent we do bring death (harm) to those who may take offense in what we say. I may think no one is really reading what I post on Facebook, but anyone can see it and it can not only hurt their feelings but can hurt my witness to that person as a Christ follower. 

     When we turn to social media to argue or hint that we are mad at someone who is our friend on that site, we are bringing death into someones life again. In Matthew 18:15-17 it tells us how to handle situations where another person has sinned against us. If Betty Sue upsets me, I am not to go on Twitter and "subtweet" her to death stirring up more drama. Biblically, I am to go to Betty Sue alone, and when I am calm, to say how I feel and settle things. Jesus was not a coward, and as His followers we are not to be cowards. If you have a "dispute" with another believer I encourage you to not turn to gossip online, but settle it face to face.

     Lastly, Ephesians 4:29 says "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."  So, if you have nothing uplifting to say to one another in person or on social media, say nothing at all. I challenge you to let go of the negative words today and only say those things that are helpful and encouraging. Jesus died and rose again for YOU, how can you not be positive?
 

Happiness VS. Joy

     It has been WAY too long since I have blogged! I promise to post more faithfully! Between getting married, working a full time job and jumping into a new ministry with my husband (I am still getting used to saying that!) we have been SUPER busy! In the next week I will be working on a blog post about all our wedding/honeymoon/summer adventures with pictures included to update everyone!

     I had never given much thought to the words "joy" and "happiness" before until I was forced to think and meditate on those words about a week ago. I have been reading through a book called The Fruitful Wife by Hayley DiMarco and this book dissects the Bible verse Galatians 5:22-23 ("The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.") And Mrs. Hayley took a whole chapter to talk about joy and happiness. Also, last Sunday my husband preached on joy. So of course these two words have been on my mind a lot this week.

     When I think of happiness I think of my wedding day or laying on the beach or drinking a cup of coffee on a breezy porch. It is a good feeling, but that feeling never seems to stay for very long. The wedding day ends, I end up burnt on that beautiful beach and then the dogs start barking next door as i try to sip my coffee peacefully. You see, happiness is dependent on good circumstances. Happiness can not honestly be realized in the midst of sadness or hurt. That is why no one is always super happy, singing songs all day long. Everyone experiences trials and tough times.

      Joy on the other hand is totally dependent on the perfect nature of The Creator. The awesome thing about this is that our Lord NEVER changes. He stays the same forever and ever unlike the ever changing circumstances of our happiness. Joy coming from the Holy Spirit, who lives in us as Christians, can withstand all sorrow, doubt, pain we may experience. Joy is found in the knowledge that we are children of The One True King, that The Creator of the Universe showed us grace and mercy even when we did not deserve it! That even when everything seems to be going totally wrong, we know that God has it TOTALLY in control and in the palm of His hands. Knowing that we have a never ending, unshakable relationship with Jesus is true joy. Kay Warren said it best ----> "Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of ALL details of my life; the quiet confidence that ultimately ... everything is going to be okay; and the determined choice to praise God in ALL things."

     Being human and all, joy just is not something that comes naturally to us. Each day we must choose Jesus and the joy that that He brings. My challenge to you is this: Everyday for a week, as soon as you wake up, pray:

"Today I choose You Jesus, even if everything goes wrong, I choose to be joyful in You."