In our day and age, doomscrolling is a constant temptation. Given our attention economy and the fact that 8.3 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every second, it’s safe to say we will never run out of content to keep us entertained, anxious, and informed. But how do we say enough? How do we hit the pause button and get back to real life, with real people, real joy, and real rewards? In this blog, we’ll provide practical tips on how to stop doomscrolling and Bible verses to stop doomscrolling so you can be free from this addictive modern phenomenon.
Doomscrolling Statistics
Anyone with a smartphone knows the feeling of falling into a late-night scrolling session. You think you’ll log on to Instagram for a few minutes, only to find you’ve been scrolling for hours. How does this happen?
According to the American Psychological Association, 73% of Americans admit to doomscrolling, and once they start scrolling, the average session stretches to around 2 hours and 24 minutes.
Doomscrolling statistics also show us that the act of scrolling isn’t a harmless habit. A 2021 Health Communication study found that people who doomscroll for more than two hours a day report anxiety levels that are 2.5 times higher than those who cap their news intake to 30 minutes or less.
So, how do we confront doomscrolling as Christians? First, we renew our minds with the Bible and take practical steps to create new habits in our digital era.
Bible Verses to Stop Doomscrolling
Now that we’ve learned about the dangers of doomscrolling, it’s time to answer the question, “How do I stop doomscrolling?” You may be surprised to find out that there are Bible verses to stop doomscrolling. Though they weren’t written with our screen-addicted world in mind, Bible verses to stop doomscrolling provide us with ancient wisdom and a Godly perspective on how to face upsetting news and bad habits.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
– Psalm 119:37
Psalm 119:37 is a Bible verse to help you stop doom scrolling that says the quiet part out loud. If you’re searching for how to stop doom scrolling, you’re already self-aware enough to recognize that doom scrolling, extended social media time, and the 24/7 news cycle are wearing on you. By following the advice in this Bible verse to stop doom scrolling, you will have motivation to turn your eyes away from worthless things. The next step? Pray for God to preserve your life (and your eyes!) according to His word.
Related Post: What Does the Bible Actually Say About Self-Control?
All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.
– Ecclesiastes 1:8
Sometimes Bible verses to stop doomscrolling are encouraging. Other times, Bible verses to stop doom scrolling read more like a warning. Ecclesiastes 1:8 is a Bible verse to stop doom scrolling that warns against the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the lust for knowledge. Though knowledge is an admirable thing to pursue, when news, current events, and global chaos are all you’re seeing and hearing, you’ll enter into a steady diet of anxiety. It doesn’t have to be this way. Through prayer, a healthy Christian community, and renewing your mind with Bible verses to stop doomscrolling, you can have peace in your heart and share God’s love with others – which in turn, actually makes the world a better place!
Discover how to replace anxiety with perspective from God: What Makes Jesus a Wonderful Counselor?
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 praiseworthy—think about such things.
– Philippians 4:8
Philippians 4 is a passage of scripture that is full of Bible verses to stop anxiety, scriptures to bring comfort, and also Bible verses to stop doomscrolling. As you make the choice to stop ruminating on anxious news and horrible things happening in the world that you can’t control, you have room to focus on what is true, right, pure, and lovely. God made our minds to be full of good thoughts, and He also equipped us to be intercessors in the place of prayer.
Even when the world is going crazy, prayer is still powerful. Learn why in our blog: Why Is Prayer the Best Response to Current Events?
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. – Colossians 3:2
– Colossians 3:2
Bible verses to stop doom scrolling encourage us to set our minds on things above, rather than on the things below. This Bible verse to stop doom scrolling isn’t advising you to live in fantasy or a la-la land where there aren’t problems. Rather, this Bible verse to stop doom scrolling is inviting you to grab God’s perspective rather than the world’s perspective on current events. If you’re skeptical, remember that God knows the solution to every problem in the whole world. Making the active choice to read and listen to the Bible is one of the best ways to set your mind on things above and trade your anxiety for God’s peace.
Listen to the word of God as a way to pray through anxiety: How to Pray When You’re Anxious
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
– Matthew 6:34
If you think of doom scrolling as a symptom, then you can address the root cause. Most people who have doom scrolling tendencies are scrolling because they feel anxious, worried, or overwhelmed about life and the state of the world. In this Bible verse to stop doom scrolling from Matthew 6:34, Jesus is speaking directly to anxious hearts when he says, “Don’t worry about tomorrow.” Whether you’re facing a financial hardship, a medical diagnosis, or generalized anxiety, the Bible has comfort for you.
Related Post: Bible Verses to Help You Through Hard Times
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
– Psalm 46:10
Bible verses to stop doom scrolling and anxiety can be found all throughout the Psalms. When violence and scary news are flooding your feed, it can be easy to feel safer by knowing more about the problem. However, rarely does knowing more about a problem provide us with peace to overcome the fear associated with that problem. Thankfully, Bible verses to stop doom scrolling can help us regulate, come back to reality, and face real-life problems from a place of peace.
Discover how to stop doom scrolling by experiencing peace through Jesus: Can We Have Joy & Peace in Difficult Times?
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
– John 16:33
This Bible verse to stop doom scrolling is a direct quote from Jesus. Though we have an abundant life because of Jesus, He did promise us that we will have trouble in the world. Ever since the Garden of Eden and the fall of creation, we’ve had problems on the earth. However, Jesus gives us His peace and supernatural power through the Holy Spirit to overcome whatever we face.
Related Post: How to Have Faith When There is Global Turmoil
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
– Isaiah 26:3
Did you know you can have supernatural peace through Jesus? Because Jesus has the power to free you from fear of death, salvation provides us with access to perfect peace. Because doom scrolling is generally motivated by fear, anxiety, doubt, or worry, God’s remedies are His love, which casts out fear (1 John 4:18), a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7), and His peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). No matter where you are on your journey with stopping doom scrolling, Jesus wants to help you on the journey.
Related Post: How Do I Receive Jesus & Be Born Again?
Consume Long-Form Content
In partnership with reading, listening to, and renewing your mind with Bible verses to stop doom scrolling, making the choice to consume long-form content (instead of short-form content) is a great way to break the cycle of doom scrolling. Rather than watching a long-form journalism video on the latest political controversy, you could watch a long-form video about gardening, the benefits of journaling, the power of gratitude, or learn more about the Bible through the BibleProject.
Call a Friend
Another great way to grow in self-control and stop doom scrolling is to simply call a friend. Because we’re so used to communicating with our friend over text or through social media by sending TikToks or reels, it can feel awkward to dial their number and wait for them to pick up the phone. However, a real-life phone call versus a digital interaction will make you feel more connected to your friend and help you to stop doomscrolling.
Related Post: How Do I Build a Christian Community?
Move Your Body
Physical movement is good for your mind, body, and soul. God made your body to move and not to sit all day. Our bodies and our brains were not made for doom scrolling; they were made for enjoying the outdoors, learning a new sport or hobby, and hanging out with friends.
Conclusion
Even though it may feel impossible right now, you can overcome doom scrolling. Through Bible verses to stop doom scrolling, a daily practice of exercise, and cultivating Christian community, you can defeat doom scrolling and the crippling anxiety that comes with it. For more tools on how to grow in self-control and living out your everyday faith, head to the Everyday Faith Podcast on YouTube:
