In the not-too-distant past, if someone wanted to know what was happening in your family, they had to put in some effort. Maybe they’d hear a rumor, overhear something in the coffee shop, or catch something in the checkout line at Walmart. Nowadays, all they need to do is check social media.
Every day, people share their complaints, frustrations, family arguments, work problems, political debates, and personal issues for everyone to see. It’s almost like we’ve chosen to hang our dirty laundry in the front yard for all to notice.
Picture driving through your neighborhood and seeing your neighbor’s clothesline out front. But instead of shirts and towels, there are signs hanging from it that say things like 'My husband forgot our anniversary!' 'My teenager won’t listen!' 'My boss is impossible!' or 'Here’s what I really think about my relatives!' Most of us would probably slow down to look. Some might shake their heads, and others would start talking. Soon, everyone in town would know. As silly as that seems, it’s not much different from what happens online every day.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with asking for prayer, sharing your struggles with trusted friends, or seeking wise counsel. God never intended for us to carry life’s burdens alone. The trouble starts when social media becomes our first response instead of our last resort. Too often, we turn to Facebook before we turn to God. We post before we pray, vent before we seek wisdom, and ask strangers for advice before seeking guidance from the One who knows everything.
The Bible points us to a better way. In 1 Peter 5:7, we are told to cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us. What a wonderful promise! The Lord never grows tired of hearing from His children. He doesn’t roll His eyes when we bring Him our concerns, nor does He become annoyed when we come to Him over and over with the same burden. He invites us to bring every worry, every fear, every frustration, and every heartache to Him because He genuinely cares about what we are facing.
Unlike the people around us, God is never too busy to listen. He is never distracted by other priorities, and He never says, 'Not now.' Because of Jesus Christ, we have the privilege of approaching God with confidence. Hebrews 4:16 tells us that we can come boldly to the throne of grace, where we find mercy and grace to help in time of need. Think about that for a moment. The Creator of the universe invites us into His presence. We do not have to wait in line, wonder if He has time for us, or schedule an appointment. Day or night, in moments of joy or seasons of heartache, our Heavenly Father welcomes us. He listens to every prayer and understands every burden better than we understand it ourselves.
The next time you feel the temptation to post your frustration for everyone to see, pause for a moment. Before you tell social media about it, tell the Father about it. Before you seek the approval of the crowd, seek the wisdom of Christ. You’ll discover that the Lord is far better at carrying your burdens than the internet ever will be. And unlike social media, He never shares your dirty laundry with anyone else.
