When constant scrolling on social media leaves us feeling inadequate, the knowledge of our divine identity offers a powerful shield against self-doubt.
Social media, while a great resource and tool in the modern day, is also a trap of seemingly endless scrolling and constant comparisons that fills time but leaves me feeling empty. This empty time spent on social media steals joy and leads to self-comparison to others. The comparison inherent in social media can magnify both the moments when we doubt ourselves and all the troubles that come with it.
Photo by Bengisu ÇELİK
In his address “Sons and Daughters of God,” Elder Rubén V. Alliaud teaches an important principle we must remember: “We are children of God.” This doctrine of our inherent divine identity can serve as a shield against those moments of self-doubt when we get caught in the trap of social media. Social media constantly batters us with projections of other people’s curated, “perfect” lives. We are struck from every side by content that implies that we are not as happy or successful as everybody else. The doctrine of divine identity becomes a shield for us because it establishes our worth as fixed and eternal, regardless of what is thrown at us by social media.
Feeling inadequate is a lie that either others tell us or we tell ourselves. In fact, as Elder Alliaud teaches, “every time we are taught about our divine nature and destiny, the adversary of all righteousness tempts us to call them into question.” Whenever we doubt our self-worth, we must remember that we are being attacked and tempted to do so. We must remember that our divine identity and value are eternal and unchanging, and that “neither doth [God] vary from that which he hath said” (Doctrine and Covenants 3:2). He has said we are his children, and that will never change.
We must let that knowledge influence our decisions for the better and not allow our self-doubts and comparisons to others overcome us. We need to utilize the shield given to us—the shield of our divine identity.
Discover more about our inherent divine identity by reading Elder Rubén V. Alliaud’s address “Sons and Daughters of God.”
Source: General Conference
—Megan McGee, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY MAREK STUDZINSKI
Find more insights:
Take a look at Sophia Parry’s Latter-day Saint Insights article “A Woman’s Potential: What God Sees” to understand how his daughters have great potential and how God sees that potential.
Read Kayla Orlando’s Latter-day Saint Insights article “Your Royal Identity: Becoming Royalty and Superheroes” to learn more about our divine identity.