In all my years on social media and blogging platforms, I’ve noticed that people mostly react to what Chris and I call “the fluffy stuff” - cute videos of animals, funny memes, shared family photos, personal life updates. Fluffy stuff elicits a smile, a laugh, an emotion, a feeling of sentiment, an “Awww”. Fluffy stuff makes people feel good, uplifted.
Conversely, Christian content is mostly ignored or it elicits a negative reaction. It sounds “preachy”. It convicts people. Nobody wants to “get involved” in a “religious” discussion.
If I cared about “likes” and gaining followers, I would post nothing but the fluffy stuff. When content makes people feel good, it’s a pay-off that keeps them coming back for more. They share the fluffy stuff. The fluffy stuff is what keeps people engaged in social media. The more fluffy stuff there is in a feed, the more time people spend glued to their phones. In today’s world, people need the positive stuff to escape from the negative stuff. Nobody wants to read serious, sobering, preachy material.
The problem with fluffy stuff is that the positive, uplifting feelings are only temporary. Fluffy stuff triggers a bit of happiness for a while, but when the happiness wears off, another “fix” is necessary. Social media developers have openly admitted that they were always aware of the addictive nature of social media, due to the dopamine rushes people experience when they get likes and follows.
Christian content may be more difficult to read, but it offers something the fluffy stuff doesn’t, something far better than happiness.
It offers JOY.
Joy > Happiness.
Joy is lasting, because it comes from within, instead of requiring us to rely on outside sources. Knowing Jesus, having a heart filled with the Holy Spirit brings love, joy, peace, understanding, compassion, and kindness. Joy is not given freely; we must fervently seek it to receive it. Once we have joy, we understand how much more fulfilling it is than happiness.
Happiness is earthly {temporary}; JOY is Heavenly {eternal}.
But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. - Psalm 68:3
God Bless.