Authentic Compassion

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Blogging for Therapy?

I don't get it - honestly even stranger is the article I had a link to has already disappeared! If you had been able to read the article, some woman blogs about issues in her life I wouldn't talk about with the average church pastor. I've admitted becoming less social in my personal life, so I must be bucking the trends. Apparently literally millions of people are blogging about intimate life situations, their suicidal issues, their bad relationships, their obsessions and stuff "I-don't-even-want-to-know-the-name-of" issues.
By now anyone who visits here realizes I use a reference book which unfailing has worked in my life--
Proverbs 24: 3,4 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Proverbs 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.
In blogging - it is easy to write about details of our lives or comment on another's situation because we think we understand. Scripture and life experience tell us often needing more knowledge to understand how little we know. Chuck Swindoll sometimes mentions a problem in Sunday School classes - the SYI format. Share Your Ignorance - yep folks - I appreciate hearing comments and reading other people's blogs. I'll often ask questions and appreciate the advice or experience of others. I would NOT ask y'all to help me through a period of clinical depression. Certainly I believe MY readers are good hearted and smart people - but so far I haven't accumulated a following of psychiatric or medical experts. Even as bizarre as the world seems, not many people would try to do their own appendectomy or ask their neighbor to do a little surgery for them. Why are millions of people exchanging advice on living their lives on the internet!? I'm not talking about suggestions on how to train your dog, clean a stain or make a good goulash. I'm reacting to casual polls about intimate or spiritual issues. I quit reading one blog because the author was putting up theological questions, admitting they are not qualified to answer but asking their readers "so what do you think"? By any definition, that kind of blogging is SYI - spew out an opinion. The blogs where people are asking blue or beige tile for my hall bathroom? are fun for the readers. Definitely not likely to ruin the person's life if they take internet opinions to help them make a decision. Issues of scriptural instruction, how to deal with a drug addicted child, what to do with a cheating spouse - doggone it folks, a risky business to ask anonymous strangers who have NO stake in how your life works out -" what should I do?"
I'm getting down off my soapbox - I promise. PUHLEEZE please don't take this tirade personally if you are a sane person who comments on blogs - I love the interaction and have a long list of blogs I read and comment on with some consistency. I love hearing from visitors, regulars and "lurkers". I'm venting about those things which you would find in newsfeeds under "Offbeat". The stories or blogs which leave me whispering a prayer of protection for those poor idjits who are checking their horoscopes and latching onto the latest Oprah fad - y'all this is your life - we don't have rehearsal time here!
Now to some final words we find useful here on Buhlaland - one verse has always made me grin -(I'm old not mature!)- scripture talking about eating sweets until you vomit - biblical bulemia?
Proverbs 25:16,17 (NIV)
16 If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.

Now this is wise advice - don't be the person everyone tries to hide from when you "drop by".
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house— too much of you, and he will hate you.


I promise Buhlaland will be back to our usual recipes, goats and sunrises soon. God is working on us here and I started blogging to remind myself of where I was and where it seems I am today. Today -it's good on Buhlaland but you have to get away from the cell phones and computers to be aware of the goodness.

5 comments:

Paula said...

I feel the same, LindaSue... I stay away from blogs that are too.. well.. you know..
I love to blog because I've found people from all over that share an interest in some the same things I do, and I enjoy getting a glimpse into their world... I have enough "heaviness" in my life- I don't need any body else's! LOL
And thanks for the scriptures- God's word is not hard to understand, it's PRACTICAL- good common sense for everyday living.

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

Hi Lindasue. Yes, I also agree, I don't like to read other blogs with serious problems. Maybe they are just venting and it's a way to get all of their hurt out, maybe they just want attention. Where would we be with out the good word of the God's truth? I hope this finds you doing well, blessings, Kathleen

Lolosblog said...

SYI - I have never heard that before but I like it! Great post! I know that a lot of us feel the same. I have quit reading several post for that very reason.


Rejoice in the Lord!

Anonymous said...

I'm by nature a private person and don't air our personal problems to anyone outside the family...don't feel comfortable about reading others problems either..so I "feel ya" (like my 16 year old says.) I like to share scripture of course, and also the same interests with others like Paula says and have made some nice warm friendships that way..that's what I think blogging should be.

Miss Mandy said...

What's nice about the blogging world is ...we can all get out of it what we want. I love to write about my personal life. Sometimes I need an outside opinion. Of course, I only consider those who seem more credible, but none the less an outsider looking in can sometimes see something you can't.

I clicked over from Heather Whittaker's blog. I'm the one who asked about her hair products. I have wild hair & 3 daughters w/ wild hair and thought she could give some great advice.

Hope blogging keeps giving you the outlet you love!