Doomscrolling

According to Wikipedia, doomscrolling is the compulsive habit of spending excessive time scrolling through negative, disturbing, or distressing online content and news.

It can also include any other content that holds our attention.

The key term in this definition is "excessive." 

It is a perpetual vacuum of time that could be otherwise used for better purposes. (A time sucker, if you prefer.)

A waste of time. That's what it really is. I know...I'm guilty as well. 

It is not that the internet, or computers, or smart phones are a problem. They are great tools when used that way, but...

They can be great suckers of time. 

TikTok, The Gram (Instagram), Snapchat (or what I like to call it, Chapsnat as Gibbs would say. IYKYK!), or games like Royal Match, Mah Jong, and Candy Crush are just newer apps from the ones we used to use like Minesweeper (I hear it's coming back!) and Solitaire. They all have one thing in common. They divert our attention and often waste time. 

Don't get me wrong. Playing a game or scrolling through facebook can provide great entertainment and connections, but when taken to the extreme, can begin to affect our lives negatively. And rarely can we look back on a doomscrolling event and say it was time well spent.

I'm guilty too. Peggy and I often find ourselves "watching TV" while scrolling. Not helpful.

It doesn't help our conversation that often accompanies the shows we enjoy, nor does it help our understanding of what is happening on the show or in our own worlds. 

In other words, scrollling probably doesn't bring God glory, or us any real, lasting blessing. 

If we only have limited time, how best should we spend it? 

I'm reminded again that maybe my priorities need to be continually adjusted so that my time is used for both personal growth, and in honor of Christ. 

I have work to do, so I'll begin by putting down this computer and having a conversation with my spouse (and with God!).

Peace ><>

Pastor Chris