Why is the internet/media an addiction?
Look around, I often seen men and women online using their cell phones in the car, sometimes while driving (yikes) at the park, store..everywhere! Constantly texting. I also seen a preview to a show about labor, one of the moms texted right thru it! Why is interent a problem? Its a problem because its distracts you from life, from the people around you..moments are passing by, our children are growing older and older. It also takes away those quiet moments with Jesus. Each time we get a moment of peace and quiet we could be resting in Him, praying, reading his word..
This addiction isnt something that I myself just see but struggle with too! I love connecting with friends and family, sharing and viewing photos, writting a blog or reading other wonderful ladies thoughts. I can look up herbal remedies, any recipe in seconds.. I love the internet! But when I do get online..minutes go by..time ticks away and I have wasted a whole hour online..doing what? It feels so wasted..the guilt kicks in big time for me. The people who suffer are the most precious to me, My Lord, my husband, my children, my home.. I could have read some pages from a good book, played on the floor with my children, emptied the dishwasher..ect.
Realizing I had a hard time with the internet, an addiction was the best wake up call. I continually give it Jesus to help me. I also set up some boundries and rules for myself:
Never will I own a cellphone that has internet, its blocked. Why would this be a rule? Because its way too easy to get online for me.
Never will I allow myself to get online in the morning, especially when I have not spent time with God in prayer and in His word.
I also used to have facebook text me my updates..turned off.
This is the time of my life, a home with young children and I want to create as many memories everyday with my family. I would never want my children to look back and remember me on the internet or on my cell phone.
Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
These rules I set for myself were good..but its not my personal best..
"Good, better, best, never let it rest, until your good is better and your better best." learned this quote from Elizabeth George and I always remember it!
After much prayer I felt my heart feel convicted to step away from media as much as possible. Not only from internet but from texting as well. I am saying goodbye to Facebook.
My church showed us parents a movie about the evil in media (you can view a preview of this movie:Shattered) and this also pushed me to step away. Never will I allow my children to text nor have a facebook. First I need to set a strong example.
Ofcourse I will miss connecting with friends and family but this is when you die to your needs, wants, likes, dislikes and take up the Lords. As soon as I deleted facebook and let my family know that I will be texting alot less, the Lord gave me great peace.
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
How do you handle the internet, texting, tv? Do you struggle like me? Have you said goodbye to facebook? Would love to hear!
Linked with:
3 comments:
Hi Sarah Beth, I can relate to what you are saying. I found I was addicted to the internet also. I got off facebook. Being on the computer all the time is really bad for you health too. I gained weight, my arm and shoulders hurt all the time. I realized this last yr and really cut back,and since have lost 40 lbs. No more pain and now have a much closer walk with the Lord. I am alot more productive and at peace.
This is a really good post and I hope many others read it.
God Bless you and your family!
Sharon
A stroke that God allowed pulled me away from the computer and I tried to get back online, to family far away and to friends too. I had just moved away from everyone the month prior. Then I just had to stop with most everything (all social internet). God brought me more to him, to learn, to read and to listen. I started my blog several months later and then started again with Facebook just a few months ago (about a year away if not longer). I needed a way to communicate with family and a few friends. I am still not as mobile (can't drive, walk far) as I would like because I am still recovering physically so internet is how I can communicate. I can't write well and sometimes even too painful but I tell you. Having that time away helped me prioritize and now I can deal with some internet time. Each season is for a reason and I pray that you have a blessed time learning from the Lord!
Right now I am making a trying to make a living online and I have to organize my time well so that I can have time to spend with my children and stay on their schooling and make sure they are doing their chores. ITs a hard task. But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I also have to remember that when they come to me I have to let them come and enjoy their company. They came first!
www.feedingnineonadime.com
www.storieswithzach.blogspot.com
Post a Comment