4 Reasons to Disengage from Social Media
Spiritual Life
Audio By Carbonatix
By Jennifer Waddle, Crosswalk.com
It’s a habit now, the scrolling and flipping between social media platforms. Posting pictures on Instagram, celebrating birthdays on Facebook, and getting the inside scoop on X are only a few places we’re spending our time these days.
Recently, I dared to peek at my screen time, something I typically avoid, and was shocked to see how my daily average had increased over the years. What was once an occasional pastime has now become a huge time waster. And I’ve decided to do something about it.
If you’re tired of mindlessly scrolling and want to get back to what truly matters, here are four reasons to disengage from social media.
1. To Re-Engage with Your People
Have you ever been at a family gathering where everyone was sitting in the same room scrolling on their phones? We’ve grown so accustomed to it, we don’t even realize it’s happening. Sadly, social media is taking a toll on our relationships. Here’s how:
-Couples aren’t communicating.
-Families aren’t interacting.
-Children are vying for their parents’ attention.
-Special moments are missed because we’re distracted.
To re-engage with loved ones, we must disengage from social media. Our people are too important to ignore. Time passes quickly, and before we know it, our kids are grown and gone. We can’t afford to miss a single moment!
Make togetherness a priority by leaving phones in the other room. Get outside, play board games, have family devotions, and just “be.” Your loved ones need you, and you need them. Let this be one of the top reasons you limit screen time and re-engage with your people.
Lord, help me make my loved ones a priority by disengaging from social media and engaging with them. I am so grateful for family and friends. Help me pay close attention to their needs and be present every day. In Jesus’ name.
More Resources for Family Connection:
6 Fun Ways to Connect to Your Grandkids
3 Simple Ways to Ensure Your Family Is Close
7 Prayers for Vibrant Family Relationships
2. To Reinvest in What’s Important
Have you ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day? Are important tasks falling through the cracks, and personal goals taking a back seat? Social media could be the culprit. Take a look at your screen time, and you might discover where all your time is going. I know it’s been a huge wake-up call for me.
Disengaging from social media allows us to reinvest in what’s truly important:
-Bible reading, prayer, and worship
-Exercise and nutrition
-Ministry and fellowship
-Personal goals and projects
-Meaningful work to supply income for our families
There’s a world of opportunity at our fingertips, and it doesn’t involve social media. Our God-given strengths and talents are meant to be used in real-life ways, connecting, serving, and loving others with God’s great love.
For the next week, keep track of your screen time and try to reduce it by half an hour each day. You’ll quickly find that you have extra hours in the day to spend on more important things.
Lord, forgive me for wasting valuable time and energy on mindless scrolling. Help me step into my gifts and talents with renewed purpose. I want to serve You and others, doing the important work You’ve called me to do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
More Resources for Investing in What’s Important:
10 Ways (Other Than Tithing) to Invest in God’s Kingdom
How to Shift the Focus from “Me” to “We” with Your Spiritual Gifts
3. To Regain Spiritual Discernment
What we see on social media is appalling. Beyond cute puppies and laughing babies, we’re exposed to cursing, violence, lewdness, and everything else under the sun. The worst part is, we’ve become desensitized to it.
Disengaging from social media helps us regain spiritual discernment by allowing more time in God’s Word, worship, and prayer. Every day, we have the choice to focus on heaven or the world. We’re given the opportunity to set our minds on things above, not on earth below. (Colossians 3:2)
As Paul instructed the believers in Rome, “I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.” (Romans 16:19 ESV) This wasn’t to keep people sheltered from reality, but to protect their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. What wisdom for us today!
The more time we spend with the Lord, the more pleasure we’ll find in His presence, and it’s a discipline that becomes a delight over time.
Here are more ways to regain spiritual discernment:
-Listen to Bible-based podcasts.
-Make Scripture memory a daily exercise.
-Walk in nature, praising God for His creation.
-Keep a prayer journal of personal requests and the Lord’s answers.
Start by memorizing Psalm 16:11, which says, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Let this be a reminder to disengage from social media and find true delight in God’s presence.
Lord, forgive me for becoming desensitized to sin. I don’t want to spiral into the negativity on social media. Guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, and help me find delight in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.
4. To Receive God’s Peace
Social media is one of the leading causes of heightened anxiety and unrest. World events happen, and within minutes, we’re informed. Rumors start, and within hours, they’re out of control. We don’t know who to believe, what to believe, or how to believe. And before we know it, our peace of mind is derailed.
If you’re not convinced that social media affects you negatively, keep a record of your emotions after scrolling for half an hour. On a scale from one to ten, how high is your anxiety? Are you irritable for no reason? Do you suddenly have a sense of unease you can’t quite explain?
Chances are, you’re more affected by social media than you realize. Disengaging will turn your focus away from worldly chatter and tune your heart to God’s peace. As Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”
Disengaging from social media is a choice, a choice more people are making. We’re finally realizing how important it is to re-engage with loved ones, reinvest in what’s most important, regain Spiritual discernment, and receive God’s peace.
So, what do you say? Is it time to disengage? Give it a try and see how it benefits you and those around you.
Lord, I know I have a choice in how I spend my time. Forgive me for wasting it on fruitless things that steal my peace. I turn my focus to You, my joy and strength. Keep my mind on heavenly things, and help me disengage from social media more and more. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
More Resources for Peace of Mind:
15 Scriptures on Peace of Mind
7 Verses to Memorize and Pray for Peace in Your Life
Trading in Anxiety for God’s Perfect Peace
Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Christin Hume
