Midweek Encouragement - "Could Quitting the Internet Transform Your Mental Health?”

"Could Quitting the Internet Transform Your Mental Health?”

        ^{I heard the statistic again yesterday. “One out of every four of us wrestles with some form of mental illness.” When I mentioned that in a recent church meeting, we laughed and looked at each other, wondering who that “one” was. Actress, singer, and entrepreneur Selena Gomez thinks she has the answer to better mental health . . . quit the Internet.}

         ^{In a 2022 interview on Good Morning America, Selena said this, “I haven’t been on the Internet in four and a half years. It’s changed my life completely. I’m happier, I’m more present, I connect more with people. It makes me feel normal.” I wonder . . . could she have something there?}

         ^{Selena doesn’t spend time scrolling. She still snaps selfies or writes content but now she hands it over to her team to post. No scrolling. No Tiktok rabbit holes. No comment sections.}

         ^{I recently told someone, “I don’t surf Facebook like I used to. I don’t need to be knee-deep in the drama of other people’s lives and I feel so much less stressed because of it.”}

         ^{So, if you’ve noticed that I’m not as present on Facebook or social media as much as I used to be, now you know why. Why do I need to know all the juicy gossip people are posting? Why do I need to know why someone who used to be part of my church family has chosen to worship elsewhere? Isn’t that their business? Isn’t that an issue between them and God? Don’t they have the freedom to make the choice to worship wherever they want?}

         ^{I get it. Social media platforms are a key way for normal people to stay connected. Our society has integrated social media into our way of life. But when is too much too much? When does our interest in what other people are doing or where they’re going or what they’re eating or with whom they’re worshiping start to interfere with the relationship we have with ourselves?}

         ^{So I went to my Facebook feed and started to pull some weeds. I chose to unfollow some of the caustic people who were always posting negative comments. I snoozed other people for 30 days, hoping they’ll see the “error of their ways” and become more positive. I blocked other groups and businesses because they just don’t offer anything to help me where I am right now. And yes, I even unfriended others. If that sounds “unchristian,” get over it . . . I refuse to let some people rob my joy, ruin my day, or make me feel guilty. Oh, I’m still on Facebook, but only because my church’s page is connected to my page and we live-stream our worship on Sunday mornings. I’m choosing to be mentally healthier, more spiritually influenced by Christ, and more peacefully functioning as a joy-filled disciple of the King of kinds and Lord of lords.}

         ^{No, I didn’t quit the Internet like Selena did. Who can afford a “team” of social media influencers like she can? But I did choose to stop being such an Internet voyeur. Gone is a whole lot of worry, stress, and anxiety. Now I only see what I want to see and read what is good for my spirit and soul.}

         ^{What about you? Do you become stressed over what your “friends” are posting on the book of faces? Are the texts you’re receiving making you worry? Are you becoming jealous because your friend vacationed in Disney and you’re stuck here in the cold north? Maybe quitting the Internet will transform your mental health! Let me know how it works for you!}

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.