I am very sure that we have all had those days were we can spend a bit too long trolling Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter, I myself have surely had one too many of those days. Before we know it we can end up so caught up in someone else’s life, having a rough idea of what they are going to be doing in the next week, month or even year. You may be wondering why I am saying this, and what this has to do with being content. Well first let us just look at the definition and meaning of the word content. Oxford dictionary defines the word content as ‘Willing to accept something; satisfied’. I honestly love this definition, and believe it helps further bring my point across.
There have been times where I’ve spent a very long time going through several YouTube videos on hair, beauty and make-up. Before I knew it most of the time I could have used to do something productive had vanished. I also remember a time I was with a group of friends, and one friend in particular sat there feeling low, looking at pictures of couples on Instagram. From this we can see that not being content with who you are, and what you have, can rob you of your joy and peace. I for one had to stop and think, and then ask God for forgiveness, as I was making these things I saw on YouTube (beauty products and clothing) an idol. So from there I realised that not being content lead me to commit other sins. When we are not satisfied we end up chasing after things and desiring things which may not be in line with Gods will for us. We should seek ye first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to us as well (Matthew 6:33).
Another thing I gathered was that I wasted so much time. Instead of utilising my time to build myself up and develop a Christ like character, I spent that time watching other people’s lives. The final thing that was also a major concern, was I ended up spending a lot of money on a bunch of products, a random person on YouTube said was ‘good’. That’s when I was like HOLD UP some of these YouTuber’s are paid to promote products, and I’m just a student trying to manage my bursary wisely. I had to learn to cut my coat according to its size and learn to be content with the many things I had.
I really do appreciate how social media has provided us with the pathway to connect with others and also spread the word of God to the masses, but so many social media sites are filled with utter rubbish. I realised that so many videos I was watching, and articles I was reading were pretty much all the same, they lacked substance. I mean the videos and posts were not of evil nature, but they all left me empty and unsatisfied. Then it just hit me, only a relationship with God can satisfy me! God also ministered these words to me which were ‘A degree, marriage and children cannot give you complete satisfaction or take the place I am meant to fill in your life’. Please do not get me wrong here, marriage and kids are all gifts from God, and even the bible says ‘It is not good that the man should be alone’ (Genesis 2:18). We are designed for relationship, as after all our faith is based on having a personal relationship with God. Get into the habit of praying to God, to not allow the blessing which He may have waiting for you, to become an idol in your life. Pray for patience.
Onto my next point discipline yourself, learn to have self control as this is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Stop yourself from spending hours and hours looking at things that don’t necessarily build you up. If you find yourself feeling sad or lonely looking at other peoples wedding photos on Instagram, maybe its best that you stop going on Instagram for a while. You should also ask God to remove these feelings of lack of contentment from your life. Do not let social media sites dictate how you should feel or how you should live your life, that is the word of Gods job.
Ever heard the saying that ‘All that glitters is not gold’, well let me just leave you with this question how can you tell if someone is living a great life from a picture? People can put on a smile but be deeply troubled on the inside, we do not know what happens behind closed doors.
Furthermore we do not have a clue of what people go through in life, in order to be where they are today until they share their testimony. Quite commonly it’s the challenging situations which help shape a person, for example death of a loved one. We only end up seeing the end results, and end up saying we wanna have someone else’s life. But in all honesty could we face going through what they faced?
With that said I just want to encourage you to be yourself, if you are busy trying to be someone else, the world is going to miss out on YOUR talent, ability, testimony and ministry. God created you for a purpose and ONLY YOU can fulfil that purpose and calling God has upon your life, nobody else can do it. Isn’t that just amazing! There will never be another you on planet earth, so work on yourself instead of being someone else. Just remember that the plans which God has for you are of a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). So stop fantasying about being in a relationship, or owning lots of pretty dresses, and possessing the best makeup sets.