cleanse
cleanse:
(v.) rid of something seen as unpleasant, unwanted, or defiling
I love how the word “cleanse” is a verb, yet is often used in context as a noun. Anywho… CLEANSES! There are many different types of cleanses, most of them are health related. Whether it be for diets, health issues, or to even purify the face, cleanses are very useful and effective. Not only are they used for physical health, but also mental health. “How so,” you say? Well one example is something I am doing right now, a social media cleanse.
I am in no way calling social media unwanted, unpleasant, or defiling! In fact I love social media! But lately I have found that it has started to take over my life. Ever since the school year has started I have been extremely overwhelmed, and instead of going to God and talking to Him, and meditating in His word to find peace, I would go to social media and try to engulf myself in someone else’s life. I would focus so much on them, that I would forget what I was overwhelmed about, and find “peace”. But this “peace” wasn’t peace at all! It was fake! It was just a way for me to waste time and not pay attention to the task at hand. Another way for me to procrastinate. I was doing this so much that I had gotten so used to it. I would realize that I was procrastinating and be like “Ehhhhh I’ll stop later.” Yeah! It was that bad!
Not only was it a way that I was wasting time, but I started belittling myself. I looked at other’s lives on their Snapchat stories or their photos on Instagram and immediately judge myself. I would immediately think,
“Lol at you, you don’t have a life. You have no friends. You’re a loser. No one likes you. No one wants to take photos with you. No one wants to hang out with you. You’re a nobody…”
Let me tell you, if you are reading this and you have ever thought these thoughts, IT’S ALL LIES!!! God, our Father, created you for a purpose, He has a perfect plan for you, He loves you no matter what, and He is always there for you. To Him, you are a His beautiful son or daughter, and you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
I needed to realize that. I found myself “idolizing” people, looking at them as some celebrity. I wanted them to know me, to care about me, to want to talk to me, and to find me important. This way of thinking is toxic to the mind. It deteriorates your thoughts, makes you sad and start to pity yourself. It makes you think that you have no purpose, no importance, and no place in the world around you.
One day when my family and I were praying, I could feel a nudge in my heart. One of my friends from school had gone on this social media detox and it was kind of in the back of my head. But that nudge brought that out of the darkness in my head and into broad daylight. It was telling me that if I wanted to see a change I needed to do this. I needed to take a break from the world and focus on what really matters… God.
Matthew 6:33 says:
“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
That is what I was missing. I was looking for peace in the most chaotic places, instead of looking at the eternal peace-giver. For the longest time I have procrastinated reading the Word and being in His presence. That all ends here. (Well technically Saturday night, when I deleted all my social media apps but that’s besides the point). I have decided to make a change, both for the sake of my grades, the sake of my well-being, and the sake of my relationship with God. For now on I am devoted to seeking God and His kingdom, and everything that comes with it.
My hope is that this inspires y’all, or at least reminds you of what truly matters in life. Hope you have an amazing rest of your day/night!!! And always remember that you are loved.
XOXO,
T
