Or you could scroll past it. Hide it. Snooze it. Give yourself a little peace. Every post doesn’t need your attention, your opinion or your afternoon. That’s something I need to remember too.
What if, for 30 days, we cleaned up our feeds and shared more of our real lives? The good, the fun, the goofy and the struggles we’re working through. We might learn more from each other than we will from another argument.
We often post the happy pictures and leave out the hard parts. People see the smile, but they have no idea what it took to find it. There may be something in that story that could help them.
My Reasons for Sharing Have Changed
When I started writing, I wanted Kayleena’s voice to be heard. I wanted people to know what was being said about us and what was happening behind our backs. I was hurt and frustrated, and I wanted our side heard. I’ve added my own anger to what people read too. This challenge is for me as much as anyone.
Then it changed. Just like anything in our lives can change. Our writing became more about healing, forgiveness and what God was doing in us. Sharing our struggles has been freeing. We can admit that something hurts, that we need help and that we have work to do ourselves.
Christ is at the center of that. He is what allows me to be real about my own heart and what needs to change. One thing I’m working on is my need to have the last word. I can feel hurt or disagree without answering everything. I don’t always get that right, but that’s part of the work.
Maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t believe in this Jesus stuff.” That’s okay. I still hope you’ll find something helpful here. When I say look at the fruit, I mean look at the changes we’re working toward. Learning to forgive, watching our words and enjoying life while some things remain unresolved. I believe Jesus Christ is changing us, and I’m going to give Him the glory.
Share the Work Behind the Joy
Talking about the problem is part of the story. Share what you’re doing to work through it too, even if your first step is asking for help. What are you learning? What have you tried? How are you working through the hard time?
Maybe you can’t fix the situation, but you’re changing how you respond. Maybe you apologized, set a needed boundary or started working on a habit. Those steps matter. If you’ve found some peace or joy, tell us how you got there. Someone may need to hear what helped you through the tough days.
KD and I have plenty to be thankful for, and we still have things that hurt. Choosing joy doesn’t mean pretending everything is good. We’re learning to see the good in each day while we keep working through the hard parts. Both belong in our story.
Give It 30 Days
Here’s my challenge, and it’s for me too. For the next 30 days, pause your usual scrolling. When a post is there to stir up anger or keep the same argument going, hit the X or hide it. That person who fills your feed with constant red versus blue fighting? Snooze them for 30 days. Clean up your feed for your own peace.
You can care about your country, have strong opinions and speak about things that matter. Just consider how much of your day you want to give to arguing, and what you’re adding when you pass a post along.
Use some of that space to share your real life. “This is what’s happening, and this is what I’m doing about it.” You don’t need all the answers. Sometimes being honest that you’re struggling and taking a small step is enough.
Share the good, the fun and the goofy. Let people laugh with you. But don’t be afraid to share the tough days and the vulnerable days too. You would be amazed at how many people are quietly walking through rough seasons right alongside you. Your honesty might open a conversation you both needed.
You don’t have to post every day or tell everyone your private business. You can share what you’re learning without naming everyone involved. And if posting publicly isn’t for you, start with one person you trust. An honest conversation counts too.
When someone else shares, take time to listen. You don’t have to fix everything or have the perfect response. Sometimes they just need to know someone heard them.
Your Life Can Help Someone
Never feel that the place or season you’re in means that’s where you’ll stay. We’ve all walked through some crap in our lives. What you’ve learned along the way might help someone who is right in the middle of theirs.
If you don’t think your life can help anyone, I’m here to tell you that you’re very much mistaken. Someone may need to hear how you got through something. Someone else may simply need to know they aren’t the only one still struggling.
In 2 Corinthians 1:4, Paul speaks about God comforting us in our troubles so we can comfort others. That is part of why we share. What helps us through a hard season may help someone else through theirs.
We all have problems. No life is perfect. Let’s spend a little less time passing around anger and a little more time helping each other out. Clean up your feed, share your real world and listen. Maybe we can all learn something from each other.