On the last day of January, I began a social media fast. I was completely burned out from the unsuccessful launch of my Etsy shop during the holidays. I wrongly assumed that I could keep moving, full steam ahead, into the new year. I was wrong. The simplest tasks of creating videos and posting became a chore. I was exhausted, but more importantly, I needed a reset. To regroup, hear from the Lord, and know how to move forward in the new year. I received glimpses of how the Lord was leading me but didn’t have the strength or focus to proceed.
I noticed mistakes I was making as I posted social media content. As a result of spending time in prayer, I was led to do the 40-day social media fast. Written by author Wendy Speake I gratefully signed off Instagram to seek God’s face. The move was much easier than I’d anticipated. Realizing that I wouldn’t need to create videos and write captions for something that was supposed to be both encouraging and enjoyable it became a welcome relief. As of this writing, I am twenty-two days in and have only now begun to document it on this blog. Journal entries are plenty.
From one screen to another
During the first few weeks, I struggled with what to do with myself. Not picking up my phone constantly and logging on to Instagram meant finding something else to do. It took several days for me to realize that I’d merely exchanged one screen for another. I’d begun watching daytime TV instead of scrolling my Instagram feed. Watching TV didn’t start until after I’d written my morning pages, had my daily walk, and spent time with the Lord. Once I’d completed those routines I began to feel restless and did not know what to do with myself.
Thankfully, I met two sisters in Christ from an online course I’ve begun and we began spending time together. That wonderful new connection kept me from continuing to spend useless hours in front of the television. A time I realized that could be spent doing something much more productive. I created a list of different projects I could work on instead of binge-watching TV.
- Work on my book
- Work on my online shop
- Create Pinterest pins (but not post)
- Resume writing blog posts
- Catch up on online coursework
- Read a book
- Journal
Once I created this list the Holy Spirit reminded me of a verse of scripture that left me completely convicted.
Am I truly fasting?
I must confess that although I created the above list of projects to work on instead of watching TV I didn’t immediately begin working on them. That is not until the Holy Spirit dropped this scripture in my spirit “Is this the fast that I have chosen?” Coming from Isaiah 58:6 I knew exactly what portion of scripture it was from.
During any other “normal fast” I would take the time to read from Isaiah 58 to ensure that my mind was focused on being in sync with the Lord, but not this time. It took the Holy Spirit to speak to me and get my mind in the right place. I grabbed a book from my shelf entitled Fasting by Jentezen Franklin that I’ve had for years. Here’s a link to both new and used copies. And if your public library has it then so much the better. It’s a short read, but helps in getting me focused on fasting, regardless of the type of fast I’m doing. I’m currently reading it first thing in the morning during my “hour of power.”
Blessings
Despite my haphazard approach to this social media fast, the Lord has blessed my efforts. During my devotional time, I’ve received wonderful words of encouragement and direction from the Lord. Now that I am focused on fasting I’m determined to complete the last portion of this social media fast strong. I cannot wait to see what the Lord will do! “The 40-Day Social Media Fast” by Wendy Speake is available in both new and used. And as always the library is FREE!
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