Hurt.
Not necessarily because of what they are ( a repeated digital symbol in a primary color)
But because of what they represent;
Being ignored.
And for some of us that carries more weight than others
Depending, of course, on who you are talking to.
Yet for some strange, sad reason, it actually matters.
It’s perfectly reasonable to imagine that the person on the other end of the conversation genuinely got “caught up” with something else
But for some of us, these ever so common moments are potential pitfalls for old insecurities to rise.
Added up, small things like being blue–ticked can actually impact on how you talk to yourself and how you expect to be treated by others.
Petty and small as it may seem, the kinds of feelings that leap into (or out of) our hearts when we see those ticks and the minutes passing by can be quite surprising,
Or how shocking the highly irrational conclusions many of us can come to in our minds when we see that person online but not actually responding.
Our life on social media seems to have a way of amplifying certain insecurities in us in often unsavory ways.
We can scold ourselves to say it doesn’t matter and yet find ourselves wondering what the uncompleted conversation actually means,
Or maybe we can complain about it often and make every online encounter with us a high stakes moment for others to prove themselves to us.
Maybe you’re somewhere in between. Or maybe being blue–ticked really doesn’t bother you (and maybe you’re a serial blue-ticker yourself).
Regardless, if you are a Christian, you have a tremendous resource in the the Gospel to deal with feelings of rejection when they come whether they are obvious and imposing or subtle and assumed (or even petty).
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
-Philippians 4:11-13
This ability to be content in every situation,
Of not fighting for perfect circumstances at all costs because we can’t imagine being happy without them,
But rather having the strength to endure whatever comes,
This comes from having your identity and security in Christ.
So whether it’s dealing with niggling thoughts or outright rejection
It helps to know that the path to contentment can be found in Him to handle any blue ticks that come our way.
heartinscriber 