I Will Stop Letting Things Define Me that Shouldn't | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

I Will Stop Letting Things Define Me that Shouldn't

It's my 2017 resolution.

39
I Will Stop Letting Things Define Me that Shouldn't

I didn't plan on having a New Years Resolution.

I'm not shooting down the idea of having goals and aspirations. I just personally didn't want to make any resolutions because there's a certain stigma that follows them. If you make any type of resolution, you'll stay strong in enforcing it for about two weeks, and then it will escape your mind as you reenter your old ways. So, yeah. Basically, I didn't want to walk into (what would most likely be) inevitable failure.

Then, I was scrolling through Instagram a few days after having these thoughts, and it hit me. I thought of a resolution that I wanted to take on. In my heart, it was undeniable that I needed to acknowledge this problem that I was struggling with and actively work to eliminate it.

My resolution?

Stop letting things define me that shouldn't.

A couple of weeks before I decided on this resolution, or rather mindset change, I deleted my Instagram app. I had spent a weekend without any social media interaction, and it really made me feel so much more content. So, I wanted to delete my Instagram app and see how long I could go without it.

And I was fine without it! Sometimes, I would look up Instagram on my laptop (just to see if I missed something huge), but I kept it off of my phone and didn't miss it! Then, I went home for Christmas and decided to put Instagram back on my phone. You know, I thought I should reward myself for making it through the semester and not dying!! It's not like it could be a distraction from my homework, because I didn't have any homework to do! What would it hurt?

A lot more than I thought, that's for sure.

When it comes to myself and Instagram, there can definitely be "too much of a good thing." I'll spend twenty or thirty minutes looking at someone's Instagram account, admiring their photography of beautiful places, amazed by their innumerable cute outfits, jealous of their adventures or just wanting that person's life. And the longer I stare at my screen, the more insufficient I feel.

How is it that a social media site has the power to change my thinking and tell me so many lies? "You're not as pretty as she is." "You're not as talented as that person is." "You don't have as much fun as this person does." "You don't have as many friends as that person does." "You don't get as many likes or comments as she does, so you're obviously not as loved."

But Instagram isn't the only thing that I've let define me.

Sometimes, I let my job define me. I work on the front counter at my job - you know, the place where you actually interact with the customers. Now, for the most part, customers are satisfied. But when a customer isn't pleased with my service or gets mad at me for some reason (even if nothing is my fault), I let that define me. "They didn't smile or say thank you after I took their order, so I must suck at my job." "I've messed up so many orders today. I'm a failure."

Negative thoughts can pile up REAL quick. Before you know it, you'll be buried.

Some of those thoughts might sound extreme, but I can tell you that they aren't too hard to believe when you keep repeating them to yourself, and you close your mind to believing what's actually true.

But what is actually true?

I know that what the Bible says is the truth but, honestly, I forget sometimes. And at the root of my forgetfulness is my lack of diligence and discipline when it comes to making myself read it. If I were to spend endless amounts of time in the Word, how could I forget that it's the truth!?

I need to stop looking at my phone and looking at myself the mirror, and start looking in my Bible.

If I fill my brain up with the truth of what is in the Bible, I'll be able to look into my mirror and, not just see a girl in a bright red uniform and a nametag, but see JESUS, too. I'll look into my phone and see things differently. I'll see what JESUS would see. I won't see people as their Instagram usernames or their bios, but as souls with eternal value. I won't see myself as a failure without hope. I'll see myself as a person who will never be perfect but can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me.

That's what I want!! I want my thoughts, words, actions—my LIFE—to reflect Christ. I want Him alone to define me.

I pray that you want that for yourself, too.


THE TRUTH:

Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

"So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them."

Galatians 3:26-27 (NIV)

"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

Colossians 3:2-3 (NIV)

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."

2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (NIV)

"Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 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. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

21981
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

9217
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

6669
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

5754
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments