Doomscrolling, FOMO and Jesus
There you are. Settled into the couch after a long day of work or school to relax, smartphone in hand, watching video after video so your brain can unwind. Mindless activity involving no thought or real focus. As if you fall into a space time continuum, you realize the “minutes” you thought you just burned, were actually hours.
There is a term that has been gaining traction for several years now to describe this phenomenon.
Doomscrolling
You know you’ve arrived when you make it into Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, which defines the word as such:
:to spend excessive time scrolling through online content (especially news) that makes one feel sad, anxious, angry, etc.
Speaking on social media is ironic, I know, when you write an online blog, but since the main reason for this page is to talk about how we can live more simply in our day to day lives with Jesus, screens are a huge part of the discussion. There is no putting the lid back on Pandora’s Box or stuffing the genie back in the bottle, and with AI getting more and more advanced, the progression is spiraling from bad to worse.
I am obviously not anti-social media, but let’s talk limits and boundaries. No one can deny we have seen an alarming uptick in anxiety, depression, loneliness, fear and dread. The younger the generation, the higher the increased risk of having such strong, negative feelings invade their minds and hearts. According to the Mental Health foundation, a survey revealed in 2022/2023, on average 37.1% of women and 29.9% of men reported high levels of anxiety. This is over a 70% increase for women and 63% for men since 2012-2015. Those numbers are difficult to ignore.
I am reminded of the scripture in Luke 21:26 where Jesus is telling His disciples of the signs of the end of times and the anticipated return of the King. As the day draws near, and more and more evidence comes into view that He is coming back, “men’s hearts will fail them from fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”
With our world so wrapped up in a glowing, tiny box that sits in the palm of our hand, news of impending doom is everywhere you look, and even in places you aren’t trying to see. As the end of the ages continues to steam roll ever increasingly faster toward us, calamity and chaos will be the normal, daily vitamin we will all be force fed, at the hands of the social media little “g” gods. I believe this will only continue to increase mental health disorders, so it’s no wonder Jesus spoke about fear in the last days.
Why, if we know our devices are detrimental to our mental well being, do we continue to stare at them for hours on end? Unfortunately, the algorithms are programming our brain to keep us coming back for more, and we become slaves to our devices. We compare, contrast, covet, critique and feel contempt with every image that flashes in front of our vision. We know we should look away, put it down, get outside, feel some grass and breathe some fresh are, but we are so wrapped up in such intense emotions, another popular term has been birthed- FOMO.
The Fear Of Missing Out
The extreme feelings of being left behind, forgotten or overlooked are so real, it will cause individuals to spiral into a deep depression. Insecurities rise up within them. Am I not good enough to hang out with everyone? Be one of the “cool kids”?
Self worth is fractured as they begin to believe they must be inferior and less than others around them, and they doubt their value. Am I that pathetic? Everyone else seems to have these amazing, perfect lives. What is wrong with me?
Jealousy and envy begin to grow into a monster of an issue, as longing burns within their hearts. Why can’t I have a house like that, with the big, new SUV and go on all the family trips? It’s just not fair.
And do not believe for a moment these issues are only for the youngsters. I am seeing an increasing number of men and women struggling with aging, satisfaction in their marriages and falling into enormous piles of debt, all because social media paints a picture for them of what life should “really” look like in their 40’s, 50’s and beyond.
So, how do we combat something that seems so overwhelming and something we cannot get away from, when it’s right there in our pocket?
First- Take an inventory and determine how much screen time you are consuming each day. Your phone will show you the data for the number of hours spent on each app. Take a long, hard look at your information and decide if that is an amount of time you feel is not overshadowing your daily life and keeping you from other, more important activities.
Next- Be honest with your assessment. Does the thought of putting your phone down, and refraining from Tick Tock make you feel anxious? Does the possibility of fasting from Facebook make you feel nervous or sad you will miss out on something? If so, that is your confirmation you need to step away from the screens and regain mental clarity.
Finally- Shift your focus on the face of Jesus. What would happen, if you turned off your device and opened your Bible more? Traded an hour of YouTube, for an hour of prayer? I can guarantee, worries in your life will lessen and fears will diminish, when you focus on the One Who holds all peace.
As the days continue to grow darker, we will need to rely on Christ all the more. You think Siri can save you? Will ChatGPT refresh your soul, when you are worn out from the heaviness this world can and will bring?
Instead of bathing your mind with the blue light of a computer screen, sit and bask in the glory of the Light of the World. The constant hum of your phone is another tactic the devil is using to lull us to sleep. “Don’t worry about what is happening on the outside world around you, just watch the next Instagram short. Nothing to see here.”
Peter warned us strongly about this in 1 Peter 5:8:
“Stay alert! Watch out, for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
Peter also reminds us in the verse prior to give all of our fears, doubts worries, anxieties and any other need we have to God alone.
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” -1 Peter 5:7
If you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t numb your brain with mindless swiping; come to the open arms of the Father and fall into His embrace.
I have been intentional, for several months now, to decrease my screen time and increase my time spent serving, sitting in the presence of and growing my relationship with Jesus. I have felt lighter in my Spirit and a renewed peace in my mind. I challenge you to do the same!
Jesus is where our strength lies. He is where we find our hope, peace, joy and comfort. This world offers only the opposite, and pours it out in full measure. Pull away from all the negativity on social media, and give your soul a refresh. Lift your eyes away from the screens more often, and turn them upward toward Jesus!
I will lift up my eyes to the hills- From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; he shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in, from this time forth, and even forevermore.
-Psalm 121:1-8