The other evening I found myself feeling so down. My spirit felt burdened, I was grumpy and I just wanted to crawl into bed and pull the covers up over my head. But, as I stood at the kitchen sink washing the last of the dinner dishes I began to wonder why I was feeling that way. Nothing bad had actually happened. There was nothing in my own life where I could actually draw a correlation between it and my feelings. I couldn’t even blame it on PMS. So I started thinking back through my day, trying to trace the shift in my mood. And that’s when I realized what had triggered these feelings.
Social media.
A discussion had taken place on Facebook. A political one (shocker!). And I found myself getting sucked into it.
My engagement in it was minimal, but the effect it was having on me was significant. I allowed it to suck me in, to take me to a place that felt very dark. It left me feeling confused, fearful and isolated.
As I stood there at my kitchen sink, washing up the last of the dinner dishes, I realized that I was giving power to this darkness by permitting it to invade my mind and my spirit.
And that’s when I felt the gentle voice of my Heavenly Father reminding me of the truth. The truth of His sovereignty and what He is calling me to be in this temporary world of mine.
He is calling me to be light.
So, when I was approached by my dear friend Deborah of Salvage Sister and Mister to join the challenge to be the light in the ever growing dark world and confusing world of social media, I didn’t hesitate to say yes!
During the week of Nov 1-8, 8 bloggers will share their stories and encouragement to be the light in the darkness.
Salvage Sister & Mister -Nov 1st
11 Magnolia Lane – Nov 2nd
An Extraordinary Day – Nov 3rd
Plum Doodles – Nov 4th
Blessed Lonestar Mess – Nov 5th
At the Picket Fence – Nov 6th
Real Girl’s Realm -Nov 7th
The Homemakers Journal – Nov 8th
Some will have extra materials to share with you as well so be sure to stop by each day to be encouraged.
The purpose of the ‘Be the Light Challenge’ is to encourage~
- How to share opinions (political or not) in a Godly manner
- How to guard our hearts and minds
- How to deal with conflict online
- Setting limits/boundaries (1 Corinthians 6:12)
- Encouraging/building others up
- Fruits of the Spirit
Please remember that we have prayed and will be praying for those participating in this challenge.
We look forward to hearing how God has worked through this week.
If you would like to share, please pin, tweet, or share on social media to get the word out to as many people as we can.
Are you ready to accept the challenge? I know I am!
Thank you so much! You hit the nail on the head here, I just am not sure what is creating these feelings, but I will find out. I am so glad to know someone else has been experiencing this same issue this week. Just frustrating to feel these way and not know why, but now I know how to go back and look for the culprit. Thank you for sharing this. 🙂
As a speaker, writer, and blogger who is called to “speak truth” and shine her light, I am completely drawn to this!! I would have LOVED to be a part! I will share this post on my blog and on my FB because soooo many are overwhelmed and frustrated right now. Thank you so much, and God’s blessings on your writing and sharing what He has taught you. This is just wonderful!
You hit the nail on the head, it does leave us feeling so empty frustrated, and even depressed! I am excited to see what the Lord has for this week and beyond. So glad you can join us!!!
What a wonderful idea! I’ll be checking in on those posts for sure! Thanks for sharing!!!
Such a great plan-a practical way to dispel darkness with the light of Christ!
It makes me think of the song “Shine” by Christa Wells (Feed Your Soul CD).
Thank you!
This is so great Vanessa! I have a political free policy on my FB. I do not comment, or allow the conversations on my status updates. That said, it’s ALL OVER fb and I can’t get away from it. There are times that I think, “I wish I could say….” and still be thinking of that post hours later. I read an article on a subject to be “open minded” and days later it is haunting me. I need to take my own advice and just scroll on past, LOL!
It’s SO hard isn’t it?! I have allowed it to keep me up at night sometimes as I’ve pondered whether or not to say something. I know that isn’t what the Lord would want so I’m constantly praying that He will give me wisdom. It’s nice to know that we are in this together and that we can be unified in being the light! 🙂
Sounds very uplifting and I can’t wait to start! Thanks to all who will participate. Pam
Thank you Pam!
Last night I didn’t turn on the TV and instead turned on some soft music on you tube. I have had the political news until I feel like the media thinks we can’t reason out who we should vote for or whatever it might be.
I picked up your beautiful book this morning and I can hardly wait until I can find time to read it. Can’t believe someone over 80 can have so much to do.
Have a Blessed fall weekend,
Oh Carol thank you SO much for buying our book!!! It means so much to us and we truly hope that it blesses and encourages you. 🙂 I’ve been trying hard to be intentional about shutting off the tv and the computer and listening to music as well and it completely changes my outlook. Thank you for stopping by and you have a wonderful weekend too! xoxo
I will be buying your book for Christmas and have asked the bookstore in St. Joseph, Mo to carry it and display it so others can see the beautiful book. You bring a lot to the “table” with your thoughts and heartfelt feelings and we all need that kind of openness.
Carol you are the BEST!!! We truly cannot thank you enough!! Much love, Vanessa
All of the media around us these days seems to thrive on scandals, negativity and all that is evil. It’s just too much for us all. We must keep our minds and hearts stayed on Him who is above all. The Lord will see us through everything if we trust Him. We need to guard our hearts and minds by NOT spending so much time listening to or participating in the media. We need to spend that time in God’s word no always in front of a TV or computer.
I love your new book and will be giving that as some Christmas gifts this year !!
I am so looking forward to seeing what everyone posts next week. I certainly need the encouragement!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you all for doing this! Oh how badly we need Light! My daughter owns an independent bookstore and I’m going to ask her to stock your book! God bless
Oh Susie thank you SO much!!! We have contact information for ordering the book that we can provide your daughter if she needs it. Email us at atthepicketfence@gmail.com if you would like us to pass along the info. It means so much to us that you want her to have it in her store! Blessings!
What a wonderful idea!!! Thank you for stepping out in faith to be an encouragement, I appreciate you!
Wonderful idea. Looking forward to the posts.