June Recs | Instagram Identity Crisis + Tips for Fighting Sexual Sin

I’ve been busy this week experiencing an Instagram identity crisis, how about you?

Brittany Allen    |   Treasuring Christ

Hey friend,

I’ve been busy this week experiencing an Instagram identity crisis, how about you? (Pray for my writer friends. They’ve really stuck it out with me and all my Voxer messages this week.)

When I’m ploughing through learning to write a personal essay, or editing and reediting my manuscript, or writing a devotional that’s due for a publication, I am sure I’m a writer. This is what I do. This is what I’m called to. I’m Brittany, the writer. But when I show up to Instagram with my words in hand, suddenly I’m asking Who even am I? What am I doing here? And Why is that woman dancing? Insecurity splashes me in the face like when my son sprays me with the hose without warning (so rude). I back out of the post I’d begun to craft, share a picture of my baby in stories instead, watch a couple Taylor Swift videos, and log off. That was weird.

Maybe it’s the frustrating analytics, or the ever-changing “rules,” or the lack of margin in my life. I’m not sure if it’s because when I write there it feels like I’m speaking into the abyss—like my words have little value. But something has changed for me. I love Instagram, but I don’t know who I am there anymore. Sometimes, it feels like there’s a voice chiming in saying, “Nobody wants your words here. We have enough actual writers, but thank anyways.”

Like every other writer or content creator who ever existed, I think I need some space, Instagram. It’s not me, it’s you. Or maybe it is me. It’s probably both of us.

I’m hoping to find some clarity and a renewed purpose while taking time away from social media this summer.

Have you taken a long break from social media or left it behind for good? I’d love to know what you’ve learned! Shoot me an email or comment in the Substack app.

Signed,

Brittany, the writer (I think)

Recent Articles + Poems:

This Moment, This Baby, This Tear in poetry
Where Zinnias Grow in poetry

From the Archives:

Seasons of Spiritual Drought on the blog

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These words though:

“Every minute we spend resenting someone who possesses more talent, more accolades, more Instagram followers—is a minute we could be making something beautiful in a world hungry for hope.” —Ashlee Gadd

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Q: What tips do you have for fighting sexual sin?

• Remember your identity in Christ—that you are dead to sin and alive to God. He has freed you from the power of sin. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus.

• Remember that you have the Holy Spirit living in you who enables you to say “no” to sin. Before he saved you, you had no choice but to give into sin. But now, you can choose to run away from it.

• Flee. Get out of the house, call a friend, go to a store, go for a run, etc. Stay busy and seek to distract your mind. Set up boundaries to avoid tempting situations.

• Believe the temptation will pass; don’t believe the lie that giving in will bring relief—it only brings guilt and shame.

• Run to the throne of grace for help. Use God’s word. Literally, place the Bible in your lap and read it. Pray for God to take away the temptation. He always provides a way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).

• Tell a trusted mentor. Ask them to hold you accountable and pray for you.

• Seek to renew your mind with God’s truth. Get involved in a Bible study or one-to-one Bible reading plan with a friend.

• Believe that this can be conquered in your life. The Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the grave lives in you. You are free.

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Books I Finished:
*Bit of a disclaimer: I love to share what I'm reading with you guys, but please don't take that as an endorsement of every word written in every book I share.
Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein
All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Anne of the Island (Anne of Green Gables #3) by L.M. Montgomery

Current Reads:
You might notice some of these have been on here a while. Mothering two little boys and writing a book has significantly decreased my time to sit down and read. It's a season. I'm embracing it and look forward to being able to read more again soon.
A Question of Honor by Charles Todd
Create Anyway by Ashlee Gadd
God is Still Good by Katie Faris
The Magic of Motherhood by Ashlee Gadd
The Message of Romans by John Stott
The Soul in Paraphrase by Leland Ryken
Into His Presence by Tim Chester
Blessed by Nancy Guthrie
Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey
Freeing Your Child from Anxiety by Tamar Chansky
The Son of David by Nancy Guthrie 

Hey, Here's What I Recommend:
Book: If you want to be inspired and encouraged in your creativity, check out Ashlee Gadd’s book Create Anyway.
Song: Who You Say I Am by The Worship Initiative
Podcast: The Function of Men and Women in the Church and Home on Theocast

Articles I Liked:
Is Mental Illness Simply Spiritual? by Lara d’Entremont
Here are 8 great worship artists beyond Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation by Katelyn Beaty

For Funsies:
- I’m loving the sarong trend. I grabbed these for our vacation this coming week. (Affiliate link)
- My body is struggling under the weight of raising children and my neck and back are on the mid-thirty struggle bus. I pretty much use Icy Hot every night before bed. This roll-on applicator is a game changer.
- These Taco Stuffed Peppers were so good.

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1. We’ve been enjoying trails and parks as a family this summer. Hoping to find some new places we love.

2. Theo is obsessed with picking flowers and having me take his picture. It’s adorable, but also, pray for my garden.

3. I set Theo and I up outside a few weeks ago with watercolors and it was such a sweet morning being creative together. He painted in between water play while I learned how to be okay with learning new things and making mistakes.

4. Our sweet William turned ONE. (Yes, I’m crying). He’s our last baby so I’ve been experiencing all kinds of feels about it. Hoping to write on that soon. He is just the funniest little dude. His personality is starting to come out and we’re excited to see who he will be.

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May you treasure Christ ever more. <3

Brittany Lee