BY Hannah Farley ('27)
Hi! If you’re reading this, I have a challenge for you!
It was the summer going into my freshman year of college that I started realizing my Instagram account wasn’t a representation of who I was, but rather who I wanted people to think I was. Not only was I consumed by how others perceived me, but my FOMO (fear of missing out) grew, I became discontent in my own life and more so became envious of others’ lives. I didn’t realize it then, but Instagram and other social media platforms were preventing me from living a life fully for Christ.
I wasn’t living out the Truth, but rather the truth of what the world says. Instagram was causing many insecurities in my life. I had to get more likes than my friends, more comments on my photos, and more views on my videos. Not only is this way of living exhausting, it’s unfulfilling. It will never satisfy you. As much as it may seem rewarding, letting the world define you will only leave you more empty and broken. Jesus was talking to his disciples when he said, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matt. 6:26) Don’t let this world define you, let the one who created you define you. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalms 37:4)
Deleting social media can help you not live in comparison. You’ll find extra time that can be spent in God’s creation or reading your bible intentionally or making a consistent prayer schedule. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33) When you start seeking God in everything, you’ll start seeing God is in everything and everywhere.
Recently, I’ve been reading 2 Chronicles. In chapter 20, the Moabites and Ammonites start to wage war against Jehoshaphat who was at the time the king of Judah. The Moabites and Ammonites wanted to wage war because Jehoshaphat had just appointed Judges and told them the Lord will have wrath on those who do not fear His name. Jehoshaphat was alarmed by the war that was inflicted upon him, but he first called on the Lord. He had the people of Judah seek help from the Lord, he told the people of Judah to seek the Lord. Maybe when conflict strikes or something goes wrong, you seek first distraction. You pickup your phone and scroll through TikTok and eventually forget what the problem was until it arises again, but this time gets worse.
Maybe you live vicariously through the girl who’s always at the beach on Instagram wishing you were there. In reality you could be exploring the beautiful landscape of our campus, seeing the Lord’s handiwork in the hills and change in seasons. Or maybe you simply finish your night scrolling on Facebook instead of using that time to seek His kingdom and His righteousness. I’m telling you all of this because that girl finding distraction, beach days and late night scrolling on her phone was me. I lost that time seeking worldly dissatisfaction. I’m writing this article in hopes that this will encourage you to not seek the world, but rather Godly satisfaction.
So back to my challenge. Social media might not have this effect or impact on your lifelike it did mine, but maybe it does. Maybe you’re spending too much time on it, or are missing out on relationships here on campus, or maybe you want a fresh start. If any of this applies to you, I challenge you to delete all social media from your phone for a week. Get rid of TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Who knows, maybe you’ll delete it and never look back! Maybe you’ll spend more time with your Bible, or go on a hike, or make a new friend. Maybe you’ll reflect and realize you too weren’t fully living for Christ because you were letting the amount of followers on your Instagram account define you.
If you complete this challenge, I want to hear about it! I want to hear about how it changed your daily routine, how it changed your relationships. If you go one entire week without social media, I have a book that may encourage your faith! If you complete this challenge email me (hannah.farley27@houghton.edu), I’d love to meet with you and talk to you about your social media-less week. You got this, don’t be afraid. Comfort and growth can’t coexist. I promise you true fulfillment is found in Christ and in Christ alone. ★
