The Right Content for Change

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praise-worthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV

“What makes the desert beautiful, said the little prince, is that it hides, somewhere, a well.”  Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Death Valley is famous as the hottest place on Earth and the driest place in North America. Temperatures frequently exceed 120°F in the summer and set a world record in 1913 of 134°F. Average rainfall is less than 2 inches, a fraction of what most deserts receive, according to the National Park Service.

The harsh conditions create a barren landscape of survival. Yet within this lifeless wasteland, over 1000 plant species exist, each adapted to the conditions, with many dormant for years until the right conditions prevail. The winter of 2004 brought record rainfall, nurturing the earth and awakening this normally bleak landscape with a spectacular spring display of color. This incredible “Superbloom” reminds us of the hidden beauty that emerges when conditions are right.

Within each of us are the desert and the well, places in our souls that respond to the conditions we put them in each day. What you feed your soul is what you will get out. “The bucket that is sunk into the depths of the ocean is full of the ocean. The ocean is in the bucket, but also the bucket is in the ocean, surrounded by it.” (A.W. Tozer)

God made our minds to enjoy new experiences, excitement, knowledge, and information. He made our bodies, minds, and souls to be intertwined, responding to different stimuli in different ways, both positive and negative. It is one reason we can spend hours scrolling through social media.

You are probably familiar with “doomscrolling,” the habit of continually scrolling through negative, disturbing, or alarming news and social media content. You keep scrolling even though it increases your anxiety or hopelessness and decreases your well-being. The average person spends roughly 42% of their waking life on screens, about 6 hours 45 minutes a day. Social media is the single largest category, more than streaming and gaming combined (DataReportal’s Digital 2026 Global Overview).

Media consumption spans every generation, with Gen Z leading the way. Gen Z spends 2.6 times more time on screens than Boomers but is 1.5 times more likely to recognize it as a problem. Younger users want solutions, while older users may use screens less but are less concerned about it. It is a global concern, with average usage at 6 hours and 45 minutes per day. Geographically, developing nations such as South Africa, Kenya, and Brazil lead the statistics, with the United States coming in at 10th place.

The opposite of doomscrolling is a new term I learned this week: “bloomscrolling.” Instead of letting the algorithm feed you doomscrolling content, bloomscrolling means intentionally seeking uplifting content, like nature videos, heartwarming stories, hobbies, or anything that brings encouragement and purpose. You still use social media, but you stay in control of what you see.

 “Bloomscrolling is intentionally looking at online content that makes you feel good rather than constantly consuming negative or stressful information.” (Sanam Hafeez, neuropsychologist). “While genuine real-life interactions are the ultimate antidote to digital fatigue, bloomscrolling is a much healthier habit than the alternative… Bloomscrolling can help make your relationship with social media feel a little more balanced and less emotionally draining.” (Nandini Maharaj)

We may have strong opinions about social media, but we live in a technologically connected world, and simply saying “quit social media” doesn’t always work. Screen time serves multiple needs, from keeping us connected to helping us work more effectively. We must recognize the dangers while learning to use it without letting it destroy our souls and minds. “You don’t drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.” (Edwin Louis Cole)

You can ask yourself what you hope to find in your hours on social media. I have found it a great tool for research, staying in touch with others, and gaining information, but one thing I have found severely lacking is wisdom. If you think you can find wisdom on the internet, just read some of the comments!

Solomon had all the wealth, power, and influence the world could fathom, but the one thing he emphasized most was “Get wisdom.” He wrote, “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you…(Proverbs 4:5-8ff).”

James wrote centuries later about the importance of seeking wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5) James wrote long before the advent of social media, yet he fully understood the nature of our hearts, regardless of the vehicle. The world’s wisdom offers envy, selfish ambition, disorder, and every evil practice (3:16). Compared to the world’s list, look what God offers: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” (3:17-18).

We may not like social media, AI, or whatever else, but they are here to stay. The question for followers of Jesus is: how will we use them for good, not evil? “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” (Francis of Assisi).

God is great!

A weekly devotion offering encouragement, hope, and purpose