As civilization advances, our lives grow more burdened by what we see. There is more to see than ever before, but fewer and fewer things we see are positive. To overcome the burdens and negativity presented by modern life, we must focus on spirituality. We see pain, suffering, sickness, fraud, and hardship. With advancements in technology, we are often able to see breaking events as they happen. In some ways technology makes our lives easier, but it also creates emotional overload and uncertainty. Many people start their day by watching news or doom-scrolling social media. By the time they arrive at school or work, they’ve already been bombarded by dozens of headlines or videos. They’ve experienced an emotional roller coaster before fully beginning their day.
The most visceral videos and news stories are the ones that get played with the greatest frequency. So people are being exposed to negative and extreme content, as it gets the most engagement. But people’s exposure doesn’t stop with viewing. Different people are seeing the same news stories and videos, so discussions with others occur after viewing. People want to know what others think and they want to express their own opinions. After a day of watching and discussing, people go home from school or work to unwind. And how do they unwind? Commonly, people end their day by watching more news, or having another session of doom-scrolling.
A large percentage of what people consume does not relate to them personally other than overloading their mind and emotions. And the negative stories and videos create a misperception of reality through availability bias. Availability bias is a psychological principle that suggests that recent or emotionally charged information is easier to recall and thus has a profound impact on judgments, perception, and decision making. The result is a small percentage of information having a substantial impact on the way people see the world and other people. When the news and social media repeatedly broadcast the bad, and the uncertain, people don’t see the good in the world. People only see the bad and uncertainty which they then believe to be reflective of the total picture and eventually accept as the status quo.
Despite careful attention to my viewing habits, I’ve even found myself falling victim to the availability bias created by news and social media. However, there is a solution for focusing on positive things that are not as commonly shared. Focusing on our spirituality is a way to remain focused on God and to overcome the negative noise that is so common in our society. Cleanse your life and change your consumption habits by starting your day with prayer. Practice spending quiet time alone with God, thanking him for his many blessings. Skip that news story, skip the doom scrolling and focus on your spirituality. Set goals and ask God to help you achieve them. No matter how much noise and negativity are filling the world, we must trust God and know that he is in control. Only then, can we begin living a life of peace and assurance.
In Christ,
Pastor Justin Goforth
