Our Distorted Reality

I heard a radio commentary in the past that made a comparison between carnival mirror exhibits to that of our real lives. The mirrors in the carnival are designed to entertain us by distorting our reflection and depicting us in a different form: tall, short, fat, thin, etc. It made me think of how the world around us often attempts to do the same. We often crumble under the weight of the world’s expectations. A prime example is how social media so easily distorts reality by allowing us to depict ourselves to others in any form we choose.

What was originally intended as mediums to connect and reconnect us soon became a socially accepted way in which we show others our perfect life and measure our worthiness by comparing it to others. We see how happy and successful others are in pictures and descriptions and we believe they must know some big secret that we don’t.

We often forget or simply disregard the edited, posed, and calculated nature of the pictures. What was once an advertising tactic has somehow become common behavior in many. Oftentimes we start thinking people are inhuman, perfect and strive to be like what we see, forgetting that our lives were not meant to socially please others in this way. Proverbs 29:25 reminds us “It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you (said another way, to fear what others think), but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.”

Research shows that social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and others, has measurable impact on mental health, in terms of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The data is consistent, yet many of us continue to ignore it and choose to live in an altered version of reality. Additionally, we know due to chemical activity within the brain, such as with Dopamine, this desire for approval and validation becomes addictive behavior much in the same way as with tobacco, alcohol, and other substances.

In a 2017 poll by the charity Girlguiding, 35% of girls aged 11–21 said their biggest worry online was comparing themselves to others. This is a disturbing indication of how young girls/women measure their worth and esteem in comparison to others. A 19-year-old model and popular Instagram influencer, Essena O’Neil, admitted her “perfect” life was untrue and exposed the ugliness behind social media. “I was addicted to what others thought of me, simply because it was readily available,” she wrote. “I was severely addicted. I believed how many likes and followers I had correlated to how many people liked me.

2 Corinthians 5:13 tells us “If we are out of our mind, as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.” In modern times we could easily say if we don’t conform to the worldview of the day, we are not in a right mind and shouldn’t be counted as worthy of public approval. It’s not the worldview we should be concerned with…it’s God’s view of us and his emphasis on our value that should motivate us.

When dealing with the modern societal view of our worthiness, two key Bible passages come to mind. Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” And Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Let’s spend our time together building one another up positively, willing to exhibit our faults and shortcomings, because there is no perfect person on this earth. We are to strive to improve but mindful that we will always have blemishes…and that’s ok.

Jim Humphrey