The Dangers Of Social Media

The National Library of Medicine says this: 43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress and 75 – 90% of all doctor’s visits are for stress – related ailments and complaints. So, here is some good and bad news for all of us. We can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It does not mean you will not experience stress, anxiety, depression – so forth. He will help you cope with all of it. So whatever unhealthy method you are using to deal with these matters.

• Alcohol

• Drugs to excess

• Food addictions

• recreational drugs

• and last but not least, Social media – your phone or computer are constantly open to Facebook, tick tock, Snapchat, Twitter, now called X, threads, Instagram and a whole gamut of others.

You may not know that on average individuals use social media 2 and a half hours every day. It can have devastating effects. And you, and especially your children, and your grandchildren are the target. So, what do we do with all of this? Our happiness will never be found in any of these things. Material things – things in general. Overeating. Medicating. There are perhaps many other issues we could address, even exercise. There are certainly sexual addictions which include pornography and many others I cannot address today. The truth is, we can basically become addicted to anything. But I want to deal with these four.

1. Addictions to material things because we tend to compare ourselves too much to others and the things they have. Social media only makes this worse because according to Facebook, everyone is living their best life. Nothing wrong. Wonderful marriage. Making money. New car. Kids that are perfect. And we want the same. We think, if I can have this or that, I can be like them. I mean, James has it. Thomas has it. They’re happy. So, yeah, I need it too.

2. Binge eating. Some eat too little. Most of us eat too much. Again, social media can be a culprit. Especially for women because society promotes the myth that women must be thin to be attractive. I am reminded that 1st Samuel 16:7 says, “do not look on his appearance or his height, or his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

3. Over medicating. We now have 200 deaths each day from fentanyl. Some on purpose. Some by accident. Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine. If you don’t know, it is the drug commonly used to put patients asleep during surgery. Now it has also become a recreational drug. Many others we could mention but let me say a few more things regarding social media.

JENNIFER MITCHELL

Jennifer Mitchell is a member of our congregation. She lost her son, Ian, to suicide. Social Unfortunately this was done on social media . He was bullied on Snapchat into playing Russian roulette . Her story is now being published in England and in Australia and is gaining attention in America of course. Here are some links to her story if you wish to use it. Just copy and paste into your browser. If you need further information about this story or have any questions, you can contact me at 727–359 – 8462 or at EaglePastor@Gmail.com.