I know God has a specific purpose for my life.  However, there is an impediment which I have allowed to control my emotions and feelings a little too much lately.  Like me, many teens in the iY generation are addicted to Facebook like drug addicts.  I will elaborate on why exactly Facebook has not been entirely beneficial to my walk with the Lord.  On last Sunday (July 22), I decided to not check Facebook for a week.  As you know, I still use my computer a little too much, and frequently “like” and comment on status updates of my friends.  Many times a week I find myself uploading photos, writing status updates, changing my profile pic and other things.  Well, I grew tired of doing this because I realized I had “Facebook Syndrome” which I will explain.

 Before I introduce the symptoms of ‘Facebook Syndrome’, I will provide the background behind why I developed it.  During high school, from my point-of-view, I was not the coolest guy when it came to girls.  However, when it came to getting the respect from the guys at my school; leading a guys Bible study group during senior year, gave me the respect of most guys in the school.  This approval was a good thing, but it was the opposite of what I desired.  My sub par coolness with girls remains a reality I still feel.  Really, I wish I could change my popularity in the past; perhaps it would have saved me from these symptoms of harmful, ‘Facebook Syndrome’.

*The following example has been slightly altered to protect the identities of my friends.

In the middle of a weekend in March 2012, I found a recently posted status update on Facebook (or check-in) by a friend from school.  His status read, “Hangin’ out with Heather, April, and June, at McDonald’s.”  Do you want to know the first thought that entered my mind when I saw his status?  I, EvMac, began to think, “Man, why couldn’t I hang out with my good friends, Heather, April, and June?  Why don’t I deserve the privilege of hanging out and spending time with them?”  Another day, I viewed a photo of another friend (a girl, how did you guess?) with a guy in my class; she posted this a few hours before I found it.  Right now, I’m absolutely certain you know what I started thinking, “Why am I so uncool that I can’t be in a photo with her, like he is!?  He is so lucky!”  A more recent example happened about a month ago, when two of my closest “guy friends” updated their “relationship status” on Facebook from “Single” to “In a relationship with … .”  As I noticed this, the first thing I did was congratulate them.  You can guess the second thing I did; I began complaining again.  “Why am I so lame that I don’t have a girlfriend yet?  What is wrong with me?  Tell me why am I not special!”  God, of course, was the sole recipient of all of these complaints.

An attitude manifested into my mind: I would begin to fight the “popular and cool guys”, among others who gained attention from the girls who ignored me.  Obviously, this was not a violent fight-to-the death.  Like an athlete in the olympics, I started competing for people to give me “likes” about my posts, photos, and comments.  I wanted more popularity and positive feedback from my posts than my friends received.  I frequently changed my ‘profile pic’ and ‘timeline cover’, almost daily.  Last Sunday, reality set in: doing all this was draining me as it made me feel worse about myself.  The “smart” plan did not work as I lost terribly in my imaginary “competition”; most of my photos and statuses didn’t get any likes or comments.  While in prayer last Sunday, I realized I was behaving like a narcissistic jerk through my Facebook presence, rather than the caring guy my friends know I am.  Facebook caused me to become hooked to popularity and attention, and desire the attention others had. Nothing ever satisfied this drive.  My diagnosis: “Evan, you are suffering from a terrible sin which has taken root in your heart, the ‘Facebook Syndrome’.  You probably know it by the name of JEALOUSY.” 

Combatting jealousy (a.k.a. ‘Facebook Syndrome’), has been easier to overcome than I previously thought.  All I needed to do was remove the Facebook app from my iPhone and iPad, and log out of Facebook on all my computers.  By doing this, I ensured I was kept in the dark about anything my friends did; I didn’t get push notifications that might make me jealous of a friend.  For the first time in a week, I am checking Facebook to see what I missed, accept friend requests, and share this lesson I learned.  As Jesus said in Luke 12:24-31, God, my Father, considers me to be more valuable than the lilies in the field and the ravens of the air.  How much more reward will I receive from my Lord if I begin seeking His kingdom, rather than my popularity?  He will provide me with everything I need; I know I will have a girlfriend eventually.  I only need to be patient, thankful I have a relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ, and grateful for His direction to become the servant God desires and made me to be.

If you sent me a friend request, messaged me, asked me a question, or noticed I forgot your birthday: I apologize for my delayed responses; I am sure you understand.  Please don’t get the idea I don’t care about what my friends post on Facebook regarding their lives.  Often, I check timelines and walls on occasion, and pray for my friends by name as I go through their profiles.  There is a small chance I may not be checking Facebook again for a week, if not a few days; I want to keep the “syndrome” under control.  It is an example of my obedience to continue the process of becoming the guy God wants me to be!  Please continue praying for me while I continue to manage my ‘Facebook Syndrome’.   Thanks!

I’ll continue updating you through this blog.  Please check back sometime.

Stay standing on CHRIST THE ROCK!
Evan (EvMac)

By the way, if you happen to be reading this and are a young lady my age who wants to hang out; I probably will say yes!  You just need to msg me. 🙂 – LOL.