Devotionals
Somewhere around 2020, a new term slipped into our vocabulary: “doomscrolling.” Doomscrolling is the act of spending too much time scrolling through negative news or social media content.
A study published in the Clinical Social Work Journal compared the effects of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing on bystanders and on those who consumed hours of news coverage about the tragedy.
What the researchers found was surprising: people who watched more than six hours a day of coverage reported even higher levels of anxiety and PTSD symptoms than many who were actually present at the bombing.
The constant barrage of negative images traumatized them from a distance. That’s the danger of doomscrolling today.
News outlets and social media platforms compete for our attention because that’s how they make money. Algorithms on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok feed us content tailored to our fears and convictions, designed to keep us scrolling.
The result? Many people begin to see the world as one step away from collapse. They live in a constant state of anger and anxiety. I suspect much of the vitriol and violence in our country today has been fueled by this endless consumption of negative news.
As Christians, we should stay informed and engaged in our communities. But too often, we’re drowning in a sea of bad news. We’re losing perspective. We’re letting the anger and anxiety seep into our hearts.
That’s why the Apostle Paul’s words to the Christians in Philippi are so important:“ Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).
Paul wasn’t telling believers to ignore reality or live in denial. He was reminding us that what we feed our hearts and minds matters. Constant negativity will weigh us down, but focusing on what is good, true, and beautiful builds us up in Christ.
Of course, we can’t avoid bad news or hard realities. But we can choose how we respond. Instead of endlessly scrolling through videos of society’s ills, Paul gives us a better way:“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Yes, stay informed.
Read or watch a little news each day. Glance at your social media.
But then—turn it off.
Disconnect. Take your worries and fears to God in prayer. Be present in the life, family, and work he has given you. Open your Bible. Fill your mind with what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.
And then rest in this promise: “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas. You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon.com.
