Here’s some scenarios for you.
You’re about to post a picture on social media that you took of your adorable toddler in the car. As you’re looking at the photo you think it appears like the chest strap might be 1/4 inch below the breastbone.
“Better not.” You think. “I don’t want people assuming I don’t know how to safely secure my kid.
Or say a mom has a really tough day. The kinda day where if something can go wrong, it did. She’s sleep deprived, coming down with a cold, hormonally imbalanced, and just wants to feel like she’s not alone in the struggle that is raising young children. She reaches out to her friends on social media with a venting post about how tough motherhood can be. She’s quickly and immediately bombarded with a barrage of ladies telling her how she’ll miss them being small one day, and how fleeting time can be.
She’s left feeling humongous guilt for even speaking honestly about her emotions. She feels like a loser mom who complains too much, and she worries everyone will think she doesn’t appreciate her kids.
She’ll never make that mistake of being honest again.
Perhaps a mom needs advice on parenting a teen, but fears the judgment of other “perfect” parents. Everyone shares awards banquets, but not many share about the angry words, hurt feelings, and tears.
We live in a social media society where we can quickly and easily open our lives up to others. In some ways that’s a good thing. It allows camaraderie, and it creates spaces like personal blogs where people can relate to one another, feeling relief that they’re not alone in their emotions. But in the midst of the sharing we also experience the mockery of being on stage and opening yourself to the opinion of others. So we may stop being totally honest to save face. We might just wear a mask to feel like we belong.
We become a society where filters are used more to edit photos than not. We become the people who take a dozen different photos of ourselves to ensure it looks just right. We don’t share the ones that are too real, or that show a dirty house in the background.
We become a culture that celebrates half birthdays, televises gender reveals, and searches frantically for the perfect party theme. When I was a kid my birthday party theme was called “slumber party.” It was a bunch of kids in mismatched pajamas, there was no photo booth, but my mom did tend to capture a picture of me blowing out my candles with half closed eyes and crazy hair.
If we’re not overly concerned with the opinion of others, then we are in a constant tip-toe of offending someone else. And while there’s certainly nothing wrong with being sensitive to the feelings of those around you, overall we’ve gone overboard in that regard. We’ve become a hyper sensitive and overly accommodating society. Sadly, we have made ourselves that way. Although not all, the root of most offenses are selfish in nature, and we assume that the actions of another must be affecting us negatively in some fashion. I’ve found it’s hard to walk in someone else’s shoes when you’re too busy searching for who might be stepping on your toes.
Proverbs 29:25 It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.
Galatians 1:10 Am I saying this now to win the approval of people or God? Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant.
I’m not saying don’t be kind. I’m not saying to forfeit love and measuring your words carefully before speaking them. Please, still do this! What I am saying is perhaps we all could stop worrying so much what others think of us. Perhaps we all can be a little less sensitive and focused on how others words and actions negatively affect us. Because sometimes it’s not personal; it’s just a thing. We all should care enough about one another that we allow freedom to share without fear or judgment. I’ve always felt that as long as I’m good with Jesus, then I’m good. And typically if I’m good with Him, I’m good all the way around.
Michelle LaFever Canten says
This requires only a one word replay, Amen!!
Michelle LaFever Canten says
That should say, reply, OOPS!!
Denise Bayer says
Amen, amen here too.
Your one awesome and insightful lady, Brie.
Hugs,
Denise
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!!
Ashley says
This is on point. Amen, Amen, and AMEN.
Thanks for sharing what Jesus puts in your heart.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.