Hi Friends!
Today I want to talk about something that’s been on my heart lately. Living a quiet and peaceful life. The world is so full of noise and distraction today, and I feel these things can pull us away from our walk with Christ.
Information Overload
Ever since 2020, I feel like there has been an influx of digital media—so much so that it doesn’t seem like there’s an opportunity to be bored anymore. Whether you’re waiting in line at the grocery store, in a doctor’s office waiting room, or even sitting on the toilet lol, you can pull out your phone and access worlds of content in seconds.
I’m someone who didn’t grow up with social media, but I must admit once I had it, I became obsessed. I loved seeing what other people were doing around the world. Seeing updates from my favorite singers and influencers started to become something that my world revolved around. Not being able to go anywhere for a season definitely fostered that even more, and it felt like an escape from the hard realities we were all facing.
Although it did connect us in a time when we were so disconnected physically, it seems like we haven’t been able to connect again like we used to. As I look around, so many of us are wrapped up in our screens instead of being present with our loved ones. Even parents are pacifying their children with devices, and I’m seeing the negative effects of that in the classroom day by day. (I wrote my master’s capstone paper on this topic and I will share about it very soon!)
My Journey Offline
In 2024, I started a journey of trying to live my life more offline. I deleted all of my social media accounts and felt freedom in my mind for the first time in a long time. After a few months, I ended up going back because it felt kind of isolating to be the only one who wasn’t on, but then I would leave again because it would be too much, and the cycle would continue. If being off of it brought me so much peace, why did I find myself trying to come back again and again?
After struggling with this cycle, I realized that I didn’t have to have an all-or-nothing approach when it comes to living life offline. I don’t have to get off of all my social media accounts, but I can get off of the ones that suck me in too much. I ultimately decided to get off of TikTok and Instagram for good. Facebook is the only social media platform I have decided to stay on because I can share my blog posts and stay connected with family members and friends who live far away. Being on so many platforms was causing me so much mental strain, and being on those platforms made me feel like I had to doomscroll.
Why We Should Stop Overconsuming Content
I say all this to say that it’s time for us to stop overconsuming content.
Although it is not a sin to be on social media and watch/view content, too much of a good thing can become unhealthy. I’m sure we have all heard of the negative effects social media is having on our brains. If you’re unaware, I highly recommend reading the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt or watching The Social Dilemma on Netflix.
So, if we know that it’s not good for us, why do we still use it?
This makes me think about what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:23: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (KJV)
“Expedient” in Greek is symphero, meaning profitable, helpful, or advantageous. Not just morally neutral but spiritually beneficial.
“Edify” comes from oikodomeóx. A construction term meaning to build up, to strengthen, to reinforce, like a house being built brick by brick.
So basically Paul is saying, yes, you say you can do anything, but is what you’re doing growing you? Strengthening you? Building you into Christlikeness?” The question isn’t just “is this a sin/allowed?” It’s “is this helping me become who God called me to be?”
Yes, we are free to be on social media, but is it helpful? Is it edifying?
You may also be thinking, but I only watch Christian creators and podcasts and wholesome content. Yes, but are you making room for God to speak to you personally? Not just through others? The Lord often speaks in a still, small voice, but if your brain is overloaded with the words of others, how can you hear what He has to say to you directly? (1 Kings 19:12).
One of my favorite scriptures, my life goal, is this: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, which states, “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.” (NLT).
I want to share the commentary my study Bible made on this scripture,
“Working hard, staying out of everyone else’s business, and concentrating on the many tasks the Lord has given her to do is a lifestyle that will enable a believing woman to have a flawless testimony before believers as well as unbelievers.”
Here’s another perspective from Enduring Word Commentary:
“The quiet life contradicts the hugely successful modern attraction to entertainment and excitement. This addiction to entertainment and excitement is both damaging both spiritually and culturally.”
The Bible literally tells us to live a quiet life, and when we live a quiet life, we can listen and hear God clearly!! I often complain about not being able to hear God speak to me, but how can I hear if I’m not giving Him space to speak? It also basically told us to mind our business, and I think that speaks for itself lol.
I said all of this to say, I’m choosing peace, mental clarity, and most importantly God over all the noise and distraction.
There’s a quote by A.W. Tozer that says,
“Whatever keeps me from my Bible is my enemy, however harmless it may appear.”
Ouch!! I know that social media has kept me from the Word, and I refuse to allow that to keep happening any longer. The enemy wants us to be distracted from God. It has honestly been a struggle for me lately, and I’m writing this blog post to encourage myself and others to keep fighting! I know I can’t do this out of my own strength; I need God to help me through this.
Overall, I will still keep sharing things on Facebook; I will just be spending less time on there. Picking up my phone should not be the first thing I do in the morning when I wake up. It’s time to put the Word before the world. I hope this inspires you to put the phone away and be present.
Thank you so much for reading.
Kindly,
Kayla ♡
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