We take a lot of life for granted. So much of our identity is found through the world in social media, celebrities, friends, etc. We become so invested in what people think of us that we forget that God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance.
Social media like Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat have become the major sources where teens will find their identities. They see how their friends are living and envy what they don't have. Social media influences teens' actions, whether it's positive or negative effects.
For me in high school, if I saw a post it would immediately affect me. My junior year, I was without any sort of access to social media. At first it was hard to separate myself from it, but as time went on, I was grateful for time spent away from any distractions. Having no access to social media allowed me to really be present where I was and not in a fantasy world. Before I was constantly on my devices and not looking up to see God's beauty.
Another time I was opened to a new perspective was when I worked at a camp for a month and we couldn't have our phones. For the first few days, it felt like a part of me was stripped away, but then as the month went on I forgot that I even had a phone. By the end of of camp I didn't even want it back.Because of that experience, the conversations that I now have in person rather than over a screen mean more to me. That time at camp helped me become more confident in face-to-face conversations.
So challenge yourself to refrain from being glued to your screen- maybe get rid of a social media for a while, or set time limits on how long you'll spend time on your phone each day. Also, don't look at your phone if you're bored... it's not a replacement got face-to-face conversations. Be present where you are, look up to God's Creation instead of down to fantasy worlds.
We all have celebrity crushes and characters who we look up to. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but in this generation we tend to be influenced by what we see. We begin to act how the media portrays these celebrities. They dictate how we should look, talk, act, and other insinuating actions. Listen to your parents when they say to be careful what you're watching, because believe it or not they are correct. You don't realize the habits you pick up until you are caught in them. So be careful in what you're watching. Ask yourself, "Would I watch this with my parents or if Jesus was sitting with me?" Be of good judgment. Fill your mind only with positive things that glorify God.
Friends can become easy influences if you are constantly surrounded by them. Look for an upcoming article titled "Living a Life Pointing to Christ" where I write more in depth on this topic.
Friends can influence you in good and bad ways. It's easy to be led on because you don't want to disappoint anyone. Saying "no" is healthy. If you say "yes" too much, you are letting yourself be fooled by your own actions in order to fit in. Saying "no" and doing what you want isn't being selfish, it's knowing your confident in who you are and not through others. By being the positive influence in the group, people will be surprised by your actions.
God looks at the heart and not the outward appearance. He doesn't care if you have a nice car, fancy clothes or lots of friends- He wants to know you beyond those things. He wants to see you grow in Him, to spread His Word, and be a leader to those who need His Love. Find your identity in Him, not in what the world says.
