Get your eyes up

Today I am gonna be having a conversation. Speaking to myself and you personally.

To the generation that has the leading statistics of depression and anxiety. To the generation who is the most “me” focused. To the generation who sits and waits for validation from a girl/guy over text. To the generation who has to buy all of the new trendy things to be noticed by other people. To the generation who has to take aesthetic pictures to capture the moment as they are missing the moment, and or the people right beside them.

To the generation who is craving to be seen.

You might say, “Oh Sierra, this doesn't apply to me.” Yes it does. Just keep reading.

Let me ask a few questions that I want you to answer. There is no judgment because I am right there with you.

1. Why do you post on social media? And how do you choose what to post?

2. How many times per week do you feel the need to do something for yourself or to make yourself feel validated? (And no I am not talking about taking a night off, or a relaxing bath).

3. Can you remember what you loved most about the stranger you sat next to yesterday?

We have been told, taught, and conditioned that to avoid anxiety and depression, we must be introspective and do the things that make us feel better, make us happy, and give us fulfillment.

The numbers are proof you guys.

Suicide is nearly the leading cause of death among teens.

This is the highest level of teen sadness ever recorded.

I am gonna share a few fallacies.

1. “It's because of teenagers' bad decision making”

A lot of self reported teen behaviors are moving in a positive direction. Since the 90’s drinking and driving is down almost 50 percent, school fights are down 50%. Sex before 13 years old is down more than 70%. School bullying is down, the LGBTQ community is the most accepted it's ever been.

1. “People are more sensitive and finally willing to talk about it.”

“Mood swings and sadness are nothing new, teens are always like this. This generation is soft.” Eating disorders, self harm, suicide are rising sharply over the decades. Yes, teens are more comfortable opening up, yet youth sadness and unfulfillment is still rising.

What is causing this? What is my part?

The enemy wants us distracted and consumed. Something meant for good to be twisted so easily. Most people will assume social media is the root of all evil. I would like to argue that it is not. The biggest problem with social media isn't social media or phone use, but rather the activities that it replaces. It replaces handling your toddlers' tantrums. It replaces the uncomfortable moment on a plane, it replaces family time, it replaces moving your body, it replaces using your brain to problem solve on its own, it replaces sleep. The average person's screen time is 5 hours. Mine included. And it makes me want to throw up. I will say it again. The enemy wants you so distracted. He wants your identity to be so confused to lure you in at your saddest moment.

The second potential cause is the stress of the world. Everywhere you look we are highlighting the tragedy, problems, and the scary reality of the future. No platform (news, tiktok, facebook) is giving a place to share hope, freedom, security except for the church. And even there, people are so confused in their identity, or so scared to offend others.

It is time to rise up. It is time to speak hope. It is time for young people to see the access, the answers, the truth.

If we continue to shy from the truth in hopes to please people, these numbers will only rise.

And my last cause I believe is modern day parenting. (Yes I understand I am not a mom, but hear me out.) We are in a time where parents are meant to be all things to all people. The majority of America (in order to survive) have both parents working full time, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, getting to church when they can, stressing to put food on the table, letting their kids play all the travel sports so that they are happy. They worry, worry and worry when their kids are sad because they know the statistics. We live in a time where we are going 100 miles per hour. Where Moms can’t be Moms and Dads can’t/don’t lead the home. When we continue to go down this path of exhaustion and defeat, your kids are watching. Your kids feel the stress, your kids don't feel like you're available because you aren't. Understandably. The more overwhelming the world feels to parents, the more they may try to bubble-wrap their kids with accommodations.

Yikes. Scary. I know

That was a lot. But I have a beautiful solution. This isn't popular, trust me. I always turn to the word of God. Because the Word is alive and active. It is true. It is the foundation I build my life on.

Philippians 2:3-4

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

With everyone looking out for everyone else's interests more than their own, no one would be in need.

I play this little game called NQA. No questions asked, you have to get in the car. If you have known me for any length of time, you know it's my personality trait at this point. It doesn't matter what you are doing or the time, let's go. People always ask why I wanna spend money or the time to plan these days. It’s simple. Because it brings me more joy than if I would go buy my new favorite shoes. Making memories, investing into my friendships and allowing them to have an hour or even a day of no stress is worth it. This concept is hard to grasp, but being so absorbed and concerned with our own lives is robbing us from allowing the Lord to give us fulfillment by serving others.

Get your eyes off of yourself.

Get your eyes off of yourself.

Get your eyes off of yourself.

Can I challenge you this week to text a first time mom and offer to babysit for free.

Strong marriages= strong families Challenge you to compliment a coworker. Challenge you to not take any pictures at the next group hang and just be present in the moment.

Challenge you to stop waiting around for a response and go about doing the things you love. Challenge you to ask your kids how they are doing and not just allottee them 3 minutes and 50 seconds to respond but maybe actually take them out one on one for a couple hours.

Challenge you to look up and around.

Yes I 100% agree that we must invest in ourselves. You can't give from an empty place. Out of the overflow, generosity will change the world we live in. The Lord will bless a lifestyle of generosity. Not just money but your time and your talent.

There is a hurting world that needs you to be a little more selfless.