He's in the room- our social circles and impact
Our conversations reflect our faith. What we see in others and choose to dwell on reflects our submission to God as not only our God, but theirs'. When I choose to submit to the God who created me for good things and that my life would be long and prosperous, I live on mission, with excitement, joy and peace that I can extend to others. When I'm stuck on performing, grasping for control, and looking to my left and right in comparison, I will feel the struggle, discontentment will fester, and I won't see my mission or the blessings the Lord wants in my life.
Read Psalm 73: Asaph starts with a statement of faith, then confession, that he had begun to compare himself to others, and in his jaded perception, God was overlooking their faults and allowing them to enjoy prosperity (verse 3-14). He was letting what others had- become his focus instead of the mission God had him on and his relationship with God. If he had gone on to speak slanderously of these, even these who are God's children, condemnation would have come down upon himself and his own children. Judging others leaves us with a bad taste in our own mouth, and when we measure ourselves to others we can get a poverty mindset. There is no good in speaking ill of others. Verse 15, "If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny." The impact of what we say carries on to our children and others in our influence. If we speak badly of others, pridefully of ourselves, or lamenting on what we don't have, that spreads like a poison. Our children, or those who are not grounded in faith, are most likely to pick up on our habits, and are left with trying to make sense of a good and abundant God. When we each align ourselves with God's word and His call for us, we better understand and have a better peace about us.
It is for God to judge, and to bring justice. Verse 21, "When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you." In my comparisons and envy my heart becomes heavy, toxic, my spirit embittered. Don't dwell on those things that are not of the Lord, don't speak of them. We sprinkle poison in the air with our negative words when we're "just getting it off our chest." It impacts those around us and lands back on us as well! Speak praises for all He has done in your life! It is by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony that we are saved, not by works, or by defending ourselves! (Revelation 12:11 and Ephesians 2:8-9)
"You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:23-28 Asaph recognizes that in submission and presence, he has refuge, strength, and his heart is full and overflowing- he has no lack.
Are your conversations glorifying to God? Are you gossiping, complaining, flattering, or using sarcasm to mask insecurity? Who do you go to when you are struggling with those things Asaph was struggling with: Comparing blessings and putting yourself in the seat of judge? Be careful of this! Does this come up for you when you're coming and going, when you're talking to others, or when you're scrolling? Do you notice that tightening in your chest? That's Satan getting a hold of your heart, not just a desire for justice!
Jesus is recorded saying "Don't judge others or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Read Matthew 7:1-9. God is so full of grace and so patient. He is working in each one's life, and when we trust Him to do that, we can have peace and enjoy what we have in relationship with Him and His blessings. Walk in the way He has convicted you and rejoice! Live in constant thanksgiving! Phillippians 4:4-9 must be our walk and our talk if we want to enjoy our life and impact others for Christ! We cannot have poison on our lips and expect hearts to turn to Him! Let Holy Spirit work in and through your heart and speech.
"Rejoice with those who rejoice!" Romans 12:15 Let that be a command. Don't envy others, but rejoice! Praising God with fellow believers for his graciousness, and praising God for His graciousness to unbelievers as well. If you take that perspective, what will it do to how you see those around you? Let God guide you into relationships that uplift Him: He will bring friends that will be iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17), and opportunities to make disciples of those He has already begun a work in.
Social life surrendered means:
Submitting to God to choose the godly friendships you have and the direction they're going.
Setting boundaries with toxic influences: it's not up to you to convict or turn a person. God will lead you to those He is already working in, to work with Him and experience His miracles of life-transformation. Do not come into agreement with toxic talk. Have blessings on your lips, and be ready to share your testimony, but don't throw pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). You will become what you say and who you surround yourself with.
Using social media to uplift, not perform, draw attention, or vent. What if instead of getting hung up on people only posting "good things, the best of their pictures", you recognized that they are using their social media posts to praise God through whatever storm they're going through? If you knew them more personally, you would know their storm too! Don't use social media to bring attention to yourself, or get other's approval, but to bring attention to what God's doing. Give all glory to Him in all that you do, as in all that you do- you seek to glorify God and bring others to salvation. Praise God with other's for what He's doing in their life! (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)
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