Children love to imitate, and so whatever goes in, comes out. It’s why we have to be careful what we say, as sure enough they will repeat it at the worst possible time (as a Pastor this is usually at Church!). But we grow out of it, don’t we?
I’m not so sure, I think the same principle applies to us as adults, whatever goes in, comes out, it’s just a lot more subtle. I’ve realised during the current “lockdown” that I have gone back to some unhealthy habits which leave me feeling pretty meh, and frustrated.
A few months back I read a book called ‘The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry’ by John Mark Comer, and in it he challenges us to think about our use of technology (amongst other things). Reading the book helped me to see the amount I looked at my phone was not healthy, so I set some limits. I turned off all notifications except messages and calls, and I set limits for the amount I could use certain apps like entertainment, games and social media. And it worked, my screen time decreased, I was reading more books, and feeling more free and spiritually healthy.
Since the “lockdown” I’ve had to use my phone more and more for work purposes, but along the way the use of social media, TV apps etc., has gone back up. In particular I have been looking at the news apps and sites a whole lot more. I realised today I’ve even been regularly checking the sports apps even though no sports are on, and then feeling disappointed that there are no updates on Arsenal (the team I support). Looking at the news sites regularly feeds your soul, but it's often not good food. Don't get wrong, being aware of what is going on in the world is a good thing, but do we really need to look more than twice a day? At the moment anxiety is strife, as is fear, so seeing the statistics every hour, the articles of analysis and the predictions of the worst case scenarios all feed our soul with panic and worry.
In Psalm 115 it says that those who make idols will become like the idols they make, and that those who trust in idols will become like them too. What do you idolise? How can we tell what our idols are? First look at how you spend your money and your time. This can be quite revealing. Don’t feel guilty or ashamed if you think there is an unhealthy balance but be challenged to work at it, set boundaries and new guidelines for your life.
As of tonight I have moved my phone downstairs. I don’t want what I take from this time of isolation to simply be that I spent more time on my phone. I want to enjoy the added time with my family, I want to grow in my relationship with God. I want to be more healthy (spiritually, although physically would be great too!)
If we spend a lot of time doing anything it has an influence on our souls. Right now there is enough anxiety with the virus itself, don’t add fuel to the fire by checking the news every hour. Set limits. I’ve decided from tonight to try some new boundaries, to pursue growth and health. It would be great to know what you are going to do. Here’s my list:
1. At night don’t charge phone in the bedroom. Don’t pick it up until after prayer, bible and breakfast in the morning.
2. Start every day with the Bible and prayer
3. Only look at the news twice a day, and pray after it each time.
4. Aim to read the whole OT during isolation
5. Read 3 devotional books during isolation.
6. If I don’t succeed at the above, remember to see how far I’ve come.
If I am like my boys and what I put in impacts what comes out, I want to use this time to evaluate what I’m putting in, and make positive changes so that I can change from the inside out.
Photo by Marjan Grabowski on Unsplash
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