It will be to no one’s surprise that I love social media. I majored in Marketing and consider it a large player in brand awareness and communication. I think it is a great tool and fun for all ages. I for one, LOVE your messages and comments. It brings so much joy into my life!
I am also a big advocate for knowing when and where social media has its place. As Christians what are we doing or not doing, to help those going through tough times in their lives? Are we using social media as our only source of comfort creating “Empty Couch Syndrome”?
What is Empty Couch Syndrome? It is a term I created, defining the living environment of someone who is chronically ill/grieving/struggling and social media has taken the place of individuals stopping by to visit them. This amplifies the isolation factor of the person struggling and gives a false sense of due diligence to social media followers.
I am sure you will agree, we ALL fall into the convenance of social media when someone post their need for prayer or a current struggle they are facing. You can “Like, Heart or Sad Face” our empathy with them and comment with “Praying!” in literally .5 seconds. It is great encouragement! But can we do more?
This is where I feel, we as Christians, drop the ball. More often than not, it stops there. Do we pick up the phone for them to hear our caring voice? Do we stop by to have a few much-needed laughs with them? Do we follow-up the next week to make sure they are ok? We have forgotten the signficant impact of human interaction during times of struggles.
Christ called us to be there for one another. To love and comfort as he does for us. Lets be the face of God and FILL THOSE COUCHES! Do not let them sit empty! Lets bring warmth into their homes and knock out the cold screen. Lets care for others as we would want to be cared for.
2 Cor 1:4-5 ESV
4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Bring a movie. Bring a smile. Bring a hug that stretches a mile.
Bring a meal. Bring a mug. Bring a shoulder for someone to snug.
Bring a heart with understanding and love,
Because You Have Been Sent From The Great Lord Above.
– By Deanna Steinle
Blessings and love,
Deanna
Live 2 Inspire 1 