It seems to be everywhere you turn these days. You can find it while watching the evening news. I see it in abundance on social media platforms. One runs into it at the supermarket, gas station, and of course, while driving. But it’s also reared its ugly head in more unsuspecting places lately. There are family interactions where it shows up all too often. Close friendships seem to have ample of it. I’ve seen an increase in it in the church and among Christians as well. What is it? Anger. Frustration. Outrage.

It’s not unusual for people to be upset. We all get frustrated and angry about things, it’s actually part of human nature and I think it can be a good thing. Just imagine if I didn’t get upset if someone tried to hurt my child. Anger and outrage can be good attributes – don’t hear what I am not saying – but I think there are appropriate reasons and outlets for such emotions. However, with the rise of the internet and ease of access to an instant audience, it appears the more opportunities one is given to voice your opinion the more outrage comes with it. This type of response is no different for those who say they follow Jesus, and actually, it may be quite a bit more frequent of a response by Christians.

“…too few Christians are thinking critically about the consequences of technology: how constant, never-ending access to information, untethered from accountability and community, might be training our spirits in a way that is antithetical to the discipline of taking every thought captive to the mind of Christ.”

Samuel D. James

The outrage that dominates social media posts and interaction does not seem to be diminishing. Unfortunately, it appears to have given rise to such behavior in real-life engagements as well. What once began as “social” media now has become “hostile” media and Samuel D. James asks some poignant questions in his article “Live Not By Outrage“. It was a good quick read, but convicting as well.

READ THE ARTICLE

Do you agree with James? Is there an issue with how social media is not just being used by us, but shaping us? In what ways? I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on the article and this topic in general. It has caused me some pause as I continue to utilize and engage in using social media. Have a great weekend and as always, be with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s day.

Until Next Time…

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash