The Toll Scrolling Takes on Our Spirituality

Every Sunday morning, just as I am standing for worship at church, I get a ping on my phone telling me how much screen time I have accumulated throughout the week. I try to ignore it, afterall, service has started! But in full disclosure, the number always makes me squirm a bit. It’s too much and I know it.

Sure, I can justify some of the screen time spent for emails, writing, car directions, grocery lists, and podcasts, but I know the majority of the time comes from scrolling. And more scrolling.

At some point, we have to ask ourselves, “What’s the cost of my scrolling?” and specifically, “How is it affecting my spirituality?” Let’s take an honest look at America's new favorite pastime.

Scrolling Steals Time

Social media, online articles, and other digital platforms have one common goal: to keep you on their site. They will do everything in their power to get you to scroll to the next thumbnail, picture, or article. Between notifications and catchy headlines, it’s easy to let 5 minutes of scrolling turn into 25. I speak from honest experience! If my time is being zapped by my continuous scrolling, my time dedicated to my calling is compromised. Callings can look different for everyone and different in every season. But if we are constantly on our phones, how much are we really tending to the gifts and purposes God has for us outside of our mindless scrolling? Our time is precious and not guaranteed. Ephesians 5:15-16 says,

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (ESV)

What’s the solution?

I am not advocating deleting all of our social media platforms. I love making a good reel! But what if we set strong boundaries for how much time we will actually allot for ourselves each day? There are plenty of ways to set screen and app limits to keep us accountable! As you mindfully think about an appropriate time for each day or week, remember God has given us a gift of time, and how we spend the time reflects a great deal of our heart and priorities.

Scrolling Reflects Our Hearts

Speaking of priorities, how often are we reaching for our phones before our Bibles? It’s so easy to turn the alarm off, only to see the messages and notifications, baiting us to check them. What if we were filled with the Word before the world first thing in our day? I believe holding off as many distractions in the morning to first fill up on God’s presence is key to starting out each day with a God-centered point of view. Our spirituality can take a hit when we are constantly filled with people's opinions if we aren’t discerning in God’s truth. Psalm 119:105 declares,

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (ESV)

Starting each day in the Word of God reiterates that our viewpoint is based on Biblical truth. How can we scroll with wisdom? Prioritize reading God’s word daily before digesting the world. In the same breath, being filled with the Holy Spirit invites us to discern what we are actually looking at when we scroll. The algorithm has a way of telling us what we are drawn to. Are the reels and posts edifying and pure? Are they asking you to compromise your standards, or opening a door for you to compare yourself to someone’s body or house? These are great questions to ask as we evaluate our scrolling to our spirituality.

Scrolling Impacts Our Relationships

“Mom! Mooooom. MAMA!” Yes, my kids have begged for my attention on more than one occasion when I was lost deep into social media la-la-land. My husband and I have been the meme: sitting in bed, scrolling without saying a word! In a world full of distractions, our eye contact and undivided attention are true gifts we can give our relationships. Other than our relationship with God, the relationships we have around us are God-given assignments to love and nurture.

Our mission on earth is to love God and love others (Matthew 28:19-20). Hebrews 10:24-25 urges believers to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (ESV). And while I will be the first to say we can use social media and other digital platforms to encourage one another, let’s not forget the beauty of real, life-giving relationships right before our eyes.

Our marriages deserve our full attention. The littles will grow big way too fast and launch their own lives. Our God-given relationships warrant our heartfelt engagement. Sure, we can check in on our loved ones by seeing their highlights online, but reaching out in a personal way, maybe sharing a meal or coffee, is an investment in relationships as the Kingdom of God desires.

Above all, allow God, right here and right now, to speak to you about your time spent scrolling. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! If we ask Him to examine our hearts and the impact our time online has on our spirituality, He will be faithful to answer. Psalm 139:23-24 from the ESV says,

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

May we be so bold as to pray these very words.

Shea Smith When Shea is not chopping tiny food up for her three tiny humans, or pitching Chipotle to her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, you can find her doing the following: Feeding her sourdough starter (aka 4th child) and baking bread. Putting her Master of Divinity to work by furiously typing about Jesus during naptimes. Posting encouragement and #momlife reels on Instagram. Conquering virtual hills on her Peloton. Renovating "the dream home" with her husband. Co-hosting her church's podcast. Homeschooling the littles. Leading a Barre class. Preaching, teaching, and storytelling. And finally, pretending she will keep her indoor plants alive...this time! You can connect with Shea on Instagram at @SheaHsmith, visit her website at www.sheahsmith.com, and keep up with her posts by signing up here.