Life and Lemons

[Joined2krist]

If not for the grace of God, I would have been depressed and miserable but thank God I'm not.

Each time I log into Facebook, I feel like I'm missing so much but I will just keep licking my Lemons, maybe one day God will bless me with Oranges

 

[timewerx]

Each time I log into Facebook, I feel like I'm missing so much but I will just keep licking my Lemons, maybe one day God will bless me with Oranges

Solution? Don't open facebook!

Seriously, that's what I did. I only kept "messenger" on my smartphone so if anyone messages me in facebook, I'll still see them and reply to those messages without ever opening facebook.

You can also "unfollow" certain people on facebook. I have an extensive list of "unfollows". Mostly people who posts every hour or less and they're absolute waste of space and time....in my facebook feed. What could possibly happen every hour that's mind boggling enough to warrant everyone's attention?

I'm an inventor in my free time. Time is a priceless commodity to me which is why I give very little attention to facebook. Imagine the quite useful things people could have done if they did not waste time on facebook.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

There's wonderful ETERNAL promises (unknown to all the world )
from YHWH the CREATOR
in ACTS, EPHESIANS, PSALMS, GENESIS,
and MATTHEW
and PROVERBS.

In fact, the whole world is against all of these
and against MESSIAH Y'SHUA
so reading things published on facebook, etc,
is just reading things opposed to YHWH and contrary to Salvation in Y'SHUA(JESUS).

If not for the grace of God, I would have been depressed and miserable but thank God I'm not.

Each time I log into Facebook, I feel like I'm missing so much but I will just keep licking my Lemons, maybe one day God will bless me with Oranges

Solution? Don't open facebook!

 

[timewerx]

so reading things published on facebook, etc,.

I used to post on facebook a lot but eventually it felt like I'm bragging about the things I have, things I've done, places I've been to. It just felt wrong.

It can't be helped that sometimes I felt envious of the things my friends post on facebook. That I wanted to have or also do what they've done.... That's wrong too because that is coveting. It's also a temptation to worldliness.

This is why I no longer open my facebook account unless it's an emergency or very important. Even then, I unfollowed a lot of people so I don't see much on my page. I have messenger so I can receive messages without opening my account. It saves me a lot of time to do a lot more important things.

 

[LoveDivine]

I think that the secret to happiness in life ( apart from trusting God) is to learn how to adjust expectations.

The more we expect out of this temporal life the more we feel miserable and depressed when we don't experience or receive the things we desire. It is very easy to see the blessings that others have that we don't and feel that we've been forgotten by God or in a sense cheated of a fulfilled life ( I know because I've felt that in the past).

We need to focus on using our time in this life to grow closer to Christ and become fit for the next life. I personally don't think that deleting your facebook account will make you feel any better. It's not a bad idea to take a break for a season and focus on other things if you feel you need one. Blocking the happy updates of others isn't going to make anyone feel better. We have to learn how to be happy for others even if we aren't experiencing the same blessings. Do people often use social media to flaunt their life? Definitely. If you have friends that are always bragging and flaunting their life, I'd consider restricting how many of their posts bombard your newsfeed. I'd restrict them, not because they have an exciting life, but because I find that type of behavior aggravating to witness. I've never blocked anyone for posting exciting updates of their life. I've blocked many though for posting really aggravating statuses or using Facebook as a platform to promote their ideology. I saw enough political memes and rants in my news feed the past few months to last a life time, lol. That kind of stuff on Facebook will totally depress you
Also, keep in mind that when you see such obviously bragging posts that it is usually those who are not happy that feel the need to flaunt the most. You are only seeing a small glimpse of their lives.

Even without all of social media, you are still going to cross paths with others on a regular basis that have a seemingly happier life. It's better to just focus on adjusting how you feel when you see these things.

The irony of life is that there are probably others that wish they had your life. Humans tend to spend their whole lives wishing to have someone else's lifestyle. Just like the expression "The grass is always greener on the other side."

 

[timewerx]

I've never blocked anyone for posting exciting updates of their life.

"Unfollow" is good enough. You only remove their update feed but you can still message them. Block basically blocks everything including private messages.

Also, keep in mind that when you see such obviously bragging posts that it is usually those who are not happy that feel the need to flaunt the most. You are only seeing a small glimpse of their lives.

I'm not sure about this. When I was the one bragging many years ago when life was a lot better, it actually felt great, the good life that is. I was incredibly insecure though....but overall, things are awesome. I was going places and future looked promising. There's always something interesting to do.

Now that I've hit rock bottom, literally. I realized many things I did before was wrong.

Even without all of social media, you are still going to cross paths with others on a regular basis that have a seemingly happier life. It's better to just focus on adjusting how you feel when you see these things.

That never bothered me. I only have problems with facebook. People somehow lose their inhibitions in facebook and take things to a whole new unChristian levels. I made a promise to myself not to use as I did before even if my life gets better.

 

[LoveDivine]

"Unfollow" is good enough. You only remove their update feed but you can still message them. Block basically blocks everything including private messages.



I'm not sure about this. When I was the one bragging many years ago when life was a lot better, it actually felt great, the good life that is. I was incredibly insecure though....but overall, things are awesome. I was going places and future looked promising. There's always something interesting to do.

Now that I've hit rock bottom, literally. I realized many things I did before was wrong.




That never bothered me. I only have problems with facebook. People somehow lose their inhibitions in facebook and take things to a whole new unChristian levels. I made a promise to myself not to use as I did before even if my life gets better.

I agree that we should be sensitive of others feelings and not broadcast every thing we do. It's good to think carefully before posting. I agree with you on that point.

My point that I was trying to make in my first post was that we should as Christians not allow ourselves to feel envious or get bothered by the success of others. We should be able to log into Facebook and rejoice for those who are receiving blessings. Some people do share an engagement photo, travel photo, etc because they are genuinely excited and want their friends to share in the moment. Not all updates are motivated by the desire to flaunt. If we catch ourselves being bothered by Facebook posts, we need to deal with these feelings and not just delete or restrict our Facebook account. Unless someone is being obviously obnoxious we should feel happy for them that they are enjoying their life. When we see these updates we should feel happy for our friends. It is too easy in my opinion to blame Facebook and social media for bombarding us and making us feel depressed. The real issue to think about is why do these updates make us depressed? The ironic thing is that these Facebook friends are more like frenemies for most people.

I guess I hesitate when people blame social media for their depression. Social media can cause problems, but at the end of the day, we should be able to see hundreds of happy posts without feeling jealous or envious.

 

[timewerx]

My point was that we should as Christians not allow ourselves to feel envious or get bothered by the success of others. We should be able to log into Facebook and rejoice for those who are receiving blessings.

It did not bothered me before.

That is until I had a big problem and needed help. I approached some of my friends and relatives. None of them made any effort to help, some even stopped updating their facebook feeds for a while, some avoided me in real life, nearly all of those I approached for help stopped liking or commenting my updates. Some even took me out of their subscribed list

I wasn't angry at them nor held grudges. In fact, I never blocked nor unfriended anyone. I simply unfollowed them which means they can still chat with me if they wanted to. But the fact they are all Christians doesn't make feel any better.

Unfortunately, I'm seeing the same pattern everywhere. Such behavior is endemic nowadays. Matthew 24 prophesy fulfilled (the hearts of many gone cold). What's the point of success and "blessings" with a cold heart? Thus, what's the point of looking at update feeds in facebook anymore?

 

[LoveDivine]

It did not bothered me before.

That is until I had a big problem and needed help. I approached some of my friends and relatives. None of them made any effort to help, some even stopped updating their facebook feeds for a while, some avoided me in real life, nearly all of those I approached for help stopped liking or commenting my updates. Some even took me out of their subscribed list

I wasn't angry at them nor held grudges. In fact, I never blocked nor unfriended anyone. I simply unfollowed them which means they can still chat with me if they wanted to. But the fact they are all Christians doesn't make feel any better.

Unfortunately, I'm seeing the same pattern everywhere. Such behavior is endemic nowadays. Matthew 24 prophesy fulfilled (the hearts of many gone cold). What's the point of success and "blessings" with a cold heart? Thus, what's the point of looking at update feeds in facebook anymore?

Oh, okay. It's different in your situation. I'm sorry you went through that.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Unfortunately, I'm seeing the same pattern everywhere. Such behavior is endemic nowadays. Matthew 24 prophesy fulfilled (the hearts of many gone cold). What's the point of success and "blessings" with a cold heart?

"The point"? So-called "success and 'blessings'" like actors on the stage of life - "pretending" (and actually 'believing') all is fine, all is well, no worries!

This is so apparent also in all of life/ society/ religion/ forums/ businesses/ schools! (endemic) ..
Like xmas. Like 4th of 5th month(fireworks). Like anyone's "birthday" celebration, while people next door or down the block or in town
are starving (actually, factually, starving for spiritual and for physical food).

 

[Joined2krist]

Thanks for your responses and advice. It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one who has friends and families that brag about almost everything they own or have achieved

I keep seeing my childhood friends post pictures of their new born, kids on vacation, and family. It's not like I'm not happy for them, I am, sincerely, I am happy for them but it makes me feel like I'm missing out. I will have to unfollow some of them.

It's been ages since I posted any new pictures or personal updates about my own life, maybe I can get a pet and post pictures? Or maybe like some of you suggest, I can over look everything and focus more on eternity.

 

[Joined2krist]

Exactly, people living next door might be lonely and need someone to care for and talk to them but it seems like all these folks care about is themselves and their families, great line of thought there

"The point"? So-called "success and 'blessings'" like actors on the stage of life - "pretending" (and actually 'believing') all is fine, all is well, no worries!

This is so apparent also in all of life/ society/ religion/ forums/ businesses/ schools! (endemic) ..
Like xmas. Like 4th of 5th month(fireworks). Like anyone's "birthday" celebration, while people next door or down the block or in town
are starving (actually, factually, starving for spiritual and for physical food).

 

[timewerx]

Oh, okay. It's different in your situation. I'm sorry you went through that.

I'm alright, I wasn't angry, nor hold grudges against any of them.

It's just I know them very closely, some were friends, colleagues, relatives. Seeing their feeds is a temptation to judge and to covet/envy. Even if I'm happy for them, such feelings can't be helped and if I allow those feelings, it feel bad. So it actually helped a lot not logging to facebook.

I could still receive messages through messenger though without having to open my fb account. I just won't be able to see any of the feeds, nor like anything.

 

[timewerx]

Thanks for your responses and advice. It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one who has friends and families that brag about almost everything they own or have achieved

I keep seeing my childhood friends post pictures of their new born, kids on vacation, and family. It's not like I'm not happy for them, I am, sincerely, I am happy for them but it makes me feel like I'm missing out. I will have to unfollow some of them.

Nothing is wrong with you....

But it's every bit wrong to be showing everyone your prosperity because that's exactly the opposite of being meek.

It is boasting. There are only few things you can actually boast. Anything concerning worldly prosperity even if you think it's a blessing from the Lord cannot be boasted. A few things that can be boasted according to Paul: blessing of salvation/redemption, tribulations/persecution you underwent for the Lord, your weaknesses (lol?), the Lord's sacrifice at the cross, etc. Jeremiah said if you need to boast, do it alone which means no one else should be made aware of it.

17. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

If not for the grace of God, I would have been depressed and miserable but thank God I'm not.

Each time I log into Facebook, I feel like I'm missing so much but I will just keep licking my Lemons, maybe one day God will bless me with Oranges

Maybe, one day, we [someone] will be allowed to bring you oranges!

 

[Joined2krist]

Maybe, one day, we [someone] will be allowed to bring you oranges!

I hope

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I hope

COOL !
Keep seeking, every day.
(keep watching, as YHWH permits and directs)

 

[Goodbook]

Nothing wrong with lemons they are better for you than oranges esp when you have a cold AND they can be used for cleaning, can't do that with oranges.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

facebook is WACK!