Things I've learned from my Social Media Cleanse

Recently, I took a three weeks hiatus from social media. I felt I needed it not only because I was constantly on my phone but also to get more connected with God.

I started off the night before the cleanse by deleting all the apps from my phone so that I would be tempted/by habit go to them. As soon as I did this I felt an instant feeling of relief. Below I will highlight what I'v learned and discovered.

1. Social Media CAN have a positive influence

    - I follow a lot of inspirational people on Instagram and Facebook and I didn't realize how big of an influence they had on my life. I follow fitness pages, spiritual pages, and just friends that are super motivating to me. I like to hear and see the positive aspects of people's lives and get inspired by how people are growing and improving. The catch 22 to this is that, people only post the positive aspects of there lives and rarely do you see the negative things that are going on. This can make you feel horrible about yourself because you only see everyone at their best and you wonder what you are doing wrong but, it is all just an illusion and we have to remember that no one is perfect. Sinse getting back on the social media scene it has reignited my motivation in many areas of my life.

2. I read 10 books!

    - Since I was not constantly on my phone, I always had a book in my hand. I was able to read 10 books in 3 weeks! I also have been studying for my board exam so I can't imagine if I didn't have to study, how many books I would have read. 

3. Social Media CAN keep me spiritually grounded

    - I know that statement sounds funny but, I follow a lot of spiritual, godly pages, and of course churches that I attend or have attended. By seeing the exciting things happening at Cascade Hills everyday from the salvations to baptisms, it ignites my spirit and keeps me spiritually grounded. It reminds me to pray, read my bible, and just spend time alone with God.

4. My anxiety decreased
    - I have a problem with anxiety and yes I know it is not godly to have anxiety. By being off social media and living in the present moment and actually connecting with people I am with, my anxiety decreased! I was not constantly comparing myself to others.

5. My phone battery last way longer!!

Final Thought:
   - Social media can be a good thing if used in moderation. Since I have been back on social media my book reading has decreased significantly but I am also closer to taking my boards. I have become inspired again for fitness and to me following a lot of spiritual pages keeps me grounded. I don't think I'll stop using social media but I would like to decrease my usage. I would recommend a social media cleanse to anyone, its just good to see how much more you can accomplish and see without constantly being connected.

-Jenn😘

Purpose Driven Life Day 39

Day 39, June 8th, "Balancing Your Life" 
     - "Blessed are the balanced; they shall outlast everyone." (Rick Warren). I consider myself a very balanced person. I go to church, I do school, I work, and I have fun. Life is a pentathlon of 5 purposes:
 1. Love God with all your heart
 2. Love your neighbor as yourself
 3. Go and make disciples
 4. Baptize them
 5. Teach them to do all things
2 Peter 3:17 says, "You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing." We have to keep our lives balanced in all areas.

HABITS TO DEVELOP TO STAY ON TRACK
    1. Talk it through with a spiritual partner or small group
        - You should discuss the principles of this book with a small group. "We learn best in community, our minds are sharpened and our convictions are deepened through conversation." (Rick Warren). Review the principles of this book as often as possible. Pray, encourage, and support one another in every area of life. "We are meant to grow together, not separately." (Rick Warren).
   2. Give yourself a regular spiritual check-up
       - We need to evaluate ourselves regularly. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith." The five vital signs of spiritual health are; worship, fellowship, growth in character, ministry, and mission. Do a regular check-up and make sure you are "well" in each area.
  3. Write down your progress in a journal

       - Keep a spiritual journal and record all of the life lessons God has shown you. I've kept a spiritual journal for the last 5+ years. I need to review it more and learn from the lessons God has already taught me. Regularly reviewing your spiritual journal can save you a lot of heartache and pain. Hebrew 2:1 says, "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." Writing things down and recording what we have learned can help us to not forget. Life is a journey. Record your doubts, fears, and struggles. Our greatest lessons come out of our pain. God uses pain to fulfill our purposes in life. "Every problem is purpose driven." (Rick Warren). Whenever you are going through pain realize that it is for a purpose and look to God to get you through it.
   4. Pass on what you know to others
       - It is important to pass on what we have learned through our hurts. Proverbs 11:25 says, "The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Share the purpose in your pain with others so that they can learn from it. "Those who pass along insights get more from God." (Rick Warren). Sharing your pain with others can help prevent others from going through that pain. "The more you know the more God expects you to use that knowledge to help others." (Rick Warren). The more you grow in your faith the more God expects you to share.

IT'S ALL FOR GOD'S GLORY

Point to Ponder: Blessed are the balanced
Verse to Remember: "Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning of life but as those who do." Ephesians 5:15
Question to Consider: Which of the four activities will I begin in order to stay on track and balance God's five purposes for my life?