Challenges of a Millennial Marriage预览

How Do We Deal with the Pressures of Social Media?

Devotional Content:

To say that social media is a phenomenon does not tell the entire story. Social media has changed our way of life. The opportunities to connect are seemingly endless. With all the good things social media has brought to our lives, there are also negative things that can upset our lives. As millennials, social media is a normal part of your everyday life. Ninety percent of millennials currently use social media, but research indicates that for more than half of these, social media is a chronic source of unhappiness—at least in some situations.* Forty-one percent of millennials still use Facebook every day but are pulling away more and more because Facebook makes many people unhappy as they watch their friends’ highlight reels.** Ask yourself these questions: How hooked are you on social media? How does it affect your life and your marriage?

The comparison game has long been a part of social media. It affected you as a single when you were or were not invited to an event or when you were or were not dating that almost perfect person. Now that you are married, the game is still there; it just plays out in different ways. Someone’s spouse gets a promotion or a new car; friends get a new home or go on that dream vacation; their kids get all the awards and never cause problems. More highlight reels, and you can still feel the pressure to measure up. It’s not like making comparisons is something new. It’s not. People have been doing it since God created man and woman. The difference today is that it can be in your face every minute of every day.

So the question remains: How do we deal with these pressures? The first step for many of you will be to unplug from social media—at least for a period of time. You need to put some distance between you and your feed. Look at it this way: If social media is causing you to be unhappy with your life, your marriage, and your spouse, do you really want to stay in that world? I really believe we will begin to see many millennials back away somewhat from social media as they correlate their unhappiness with their social media usage.

Beginning to reevaluate your social media usage is a big step, but the biggest step in the right direction begins with your relationship with God. It seems we are all vulnerable to letting our world define us instead of seeing ourselves through God’s eyes. He created you and your spouse perfectly. Neither one of you is a mistake. God loves you just the way you are. Nothing you can do will make Him love you more or less. When you stood with your spouse before Him and committed to this marriage for the rest of your lives, His commitment to help you have an Awesome Marriage was even greater than yours. Never let social media define you, your spouse, your lives, or your marriage. That is God’s job. Lean into His definition.

*Tom Pick, “47 Superb Social Media Marketing Stats and Facts,” Infusionsoft.com, January 21, 2016, [https://learn.infusionsoft.com/marketing/social-media/best-social-media-marketing-stats-and-facts.]

** Lauren Friedman, “4 Millennial Social Media Trends To Watch In 2017,” Forbes, December 29, 2016, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurenfriedman/2016/12/29/4-millennial-social-media-trends-to-watch-in-2017/#157daa976e69.]

Today’s Challenge:

Together talk about your connections to social media. Where do you need to unplug, and when will you take that step?

Going Deeper:

Together pray that you will see each other and your marriage through God’s loving eyes.