There’s always a lot happening in the world. And, if we’re to believe the media, most of it’s bad. Some call this bent toward negativity in the news the “crisis crisis.” It’s a seemingly endless stream of hyped threats that are supposed to make us afraid–very afraid.
Let’s face it, most of the people clamoring for our attention are not focused on truth telling. Nope, their sights are set on things like ratings and ad revenue, or likes and follows. Why bother with ethical matters–like separating truth from falsehood? Negativity, mixed with equal parts uncertainty, SELLS.
On the other hand, it’s comforting to step out of the 24/7 news cycle and simply believe what Jesus says.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
John 14:1 (NIV)
Christ said these words to comfort his disciples on the very night he was betrayed. And as my friend Jeff King said, in a post that inspired this one (Quote for 7/03/2021), “Jesus is as good as His word.”
A quick plug for Jeff. He’s a Christian guy who has been around the block a time or two and doesn’t mince words while talking about it. His site Jeffrey H. King’s Blog is well written, Christ centered and filled with absorbing thoughts.
Now back to my post. I used to spend a nonsensical amount of time doomscrolling through the latest happenings. But I noticed something. Often, after reading my favorite news feeds—for way longer than I care to admit—I felt an odd sadness. So when it came time to give up something for Lent this year, I decided to quit the “breaking news” business. Guess what? I never went back after Easter. And I don’t miss it!
The Philippians were a persecuted church with plenty to worry about. Yet Paul encouraged them to turn their anxious thoughts into prayers of thanksgiving (Phililippians 4:6). The pay-off, he said, was the peace of God guarding their hearts. A few verses later, he shares what I like to call the “Philippians Filter.”
Finally brothers, 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 (NIV)
Filtering sure beats doomscrolling any day!
🙏❤️ prayers and love.
Photo by Maria Teneva on Unsplash
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
54 responses to “Confessions of a Reformed Doomscroller”
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m doing my best to be in the world, but not of it. Not always easy! God Bless.
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I cannot even find enough words to express how very much this post resonates with me and how much I agree with every word of it. SO GOOD!!!
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Agreed! I don’t advocate withdrawing from the problems of the world. I simply seek to understand them from God’s perspective. Thank you for your comment. Blessings!
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I agree that there’s a lot of fear-mongering out there. But there are genuine social and climate issues that are affecting people. I don’t think we should just bury our heads in the sand and ignore the real problems when there’s work to be done.
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I like your idea of using Philippians 4:8 as a cure for insomnia. God is indeed good, we just need to remember all of His blessings. Thank you for reading and commenting. God’s best to you.
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David, I like your drawing. It is simple, but gets the point across, and that’s all that’s needed. Philippians 4:8 is one of my favorite Scriptures. It is one I need to think on as I’m trying to go to sleep and various worries start popping up. Then, I have to say, “No, that is not excellent, praise worthy, etc.” It’s a way of disciplining myself.
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Thanks, Kathleen!
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Your drawing is perfect
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Me either. It draws you in and FOMO takes over. I’m so glad I broke the cycle! Thank you for sharing! Blessings.
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I gave up the news a few months ago too, and I don’t believe I’ll ever go back. I never realized the negative effects it had on me until I got away from it.
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I am grateful for your vote of confidence, Manette Kaye. Thank you!
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I love your drawing! It’s authentic and real. You don’t need a “graphic artist” complicating the simple truth you presented so clearly in this drawing.
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Let’s hear it for the Holy Spirit guiding your hand!
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I’m not sure how to answer that one, Lorie. I’m better at asking questions than answering them. More filtering and less scrolling seems like a good plan to me. Thank you for reading and commenting! Blessings.
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David how does one balance between the bad doom and gloom for ratings and burying our heads in the sand? Right now I’m burying! Thank your for the Phillippians reminder.
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You are so right, Bridget! Most of the leading app developers must have gotten their training from Los Vegas casinos! Thank you for stopping in. Blessings!
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It can be so easy to fall into the doom and gloom trap. I have to admit, the media is so good at pulling people in. Thank you for the reminder to steer clear and to fix our thoughts on truth.
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It DOES look like one of those cake decorating things! I simple used a cup to make a circle and then put an opening on either end. I created a divine decorator without even realizing it!
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I just had a great thought about your drawing. It reminds me of one of those pasty tubes that you put frosting into and decorate a cake. That is what your drawing is! You are decorating our lives with the yummy goodness from God’s Word!
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Yes, I have done the name cycle my kids before. Sometimes I’ve gone through all three of them before I get the right one!
I started to edit your comment, but thought it was pretty cool to be mistaken for Mitch Teemley! Thanks for your good sense of humor, brother!
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Sorry O was doom scrolling! I really only read about a dozen blogs but my mind slipped between you two. Ever do that with your kids? 🙂
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It’s an honor to be called Mitch, a witty mentor blogger friend of mine, but I’m just regular David—curator of a much smaller corner of the internet. 😊
Thanks for sharing, Pastor Pete.
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Oh Mitch thank you! I too am an addicted doom scroller and I don’t want to wait for Lent for reform!
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David, I chuckled at your lame joke and then thought that your $19.95 may just be a future post. How often in our humanness do we erroneously believe our service, our sacrifices, our . . . is the $19.95 payment for God’s blessing. Psalms 51:16-17 and John 6:29 both came to mind. Adi sends some happy Lab tail wags your way.
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That’s a good idea, CG! For every teaspoon of news take a tablespoon of scripture. Thank you for reading and commenting. 🙏❤️
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Another great post, David. Love the filter drawing! After taking a break from the news, it’s astounding how noisy and negative it looks now. I am now very selective in what news I read — balancing it with a healthy dose of scripture.
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I am grateful to have such posts to faithfully read!
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Understood, Barb. It’s amazing how much in the world can safely be ignored and yet still lead a reverent life. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I appreciate your checking in, Rainer. I’m grateful for your encouraging words! Thanks for checking out Jeff’s blog as well. He and I keep each other theologically sharp. You’re your right up there with him! Blessings.
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Solid post, David. I agree, it seems like there are a lot of negative stories abounding all around us, especially on the news. I had to take a sabbatical from all the noise the news churns out these days. I checked out your friend’s blog. Thanks for giving him a shout-out and helping others find him. Blessings.
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I ignore most news unless it directly affects me. That being said, I will be employing this filter in the future.
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Thanks, Beth! The Philippians Filter makes everything better. And it can be yours for just $19.95.😂 Okay, lame joke. The Word of God is no laughing matter. Blessings!
Hello again, Adi🐾
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“Doom scrolling” fits a reader’s news experience to a tee! I taught our girls to use Phil 4:8 as a guide for filtering the books and movies they select. I definitely need to use it also as my filter for the news. Great advice!
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Thank you! I’m not much of an artist when it comes to drawing and painting. Perhaps that somehow adds to the appeal. ☺️
I am grateful for your faithful reading and sharing. Blessings!
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I absolutely LOVE your drawing! Very good point and well done!
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I quit Facebook for good three years ago. FOMO is still a persistent worry at times. But I don’t feel like I’m being programmed any more.
Thank you for your thoughts, Aimee. Blessings!
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Yes, I’ve been caught in the trance you mentioned, Manu. It’s like being stuck in some Los Vegas casino 🎰 at a hungry slot machine! Thank you for your comment. I, too, am much more careful and purposeful about what I put in my mind these days. Blessings.
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I stopped reading the news a while back, too. I’m not sure if I’m just choosing ignorance or protecting my peace, but I agree.
Life is happier and not as “bad” as the news and social media make it. I have a social media problem, and have to deactivate it from time to time because I’ll scroll and stay on it for way too long and not knowing why.
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Filtering sure beats the doom scrolling – so agree with that. It is so addictive to mindlessly spend time on it. It’s like you get caught in a trance and you realise how much time you have spent on your phone just scrolling. I limit my use now and also how much of news I watch.
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Yes, I created it for another post and then decided to reuse it here. I wondered if anyone would remember! Thanks, brother. God Bless!
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I remember your famous Philippians Filter! How we all need one of those, every day! God bless you brother.
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I’m not surprised that such a positive person, like yourself, loves an equally positive scripture verse. Thank you for reading and commenting, Betty.
Blessings to you, Dan and your whole clan!
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Philippians 4:8 is perhaps my favorite verse. There are positive/negative in every aspect in our lives – news, events, even people. But this verse tells us where to put our focus. Thanks for your post, and enjoy your day!
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You seem like a proactive guy, Chris. I like that! I also learn a lot from reading your posts. Thank you for dropping in today. I always appreciate your input.
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I cut out watching the news years ago. I’m much happier now. I stay up to date with what’s happening, but I choose when, how and what I put in my mind. I love your filter and wish I was a graphic artist who could help.
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Ours sons live in the Pacific Northwest, and it has been hotter and dryer there since most people can remember. Many in that part of the country have no air conditioning. The situation is dire indeed.
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I enjoy the back and forth, brother. It’s like we have our own little theological think tank! Iron sharpens iron. I’m glad you enjoyed the Philippians filter. Nancy and I had a great 4th. Blessings!
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Hi David !
Not a single iceberg has been spotted this year. As in the rest of the world, the weather in NL is getting warmer too.
May you enjoy a blessed week. 🌼🤗
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David! First, thanks for the plug. Very kind of you! Yeah, unplugging from media and picking up the Bible is SOOO curative! I LOVE the Philippians Filter, drawing and all! What a great image/idea/explanation of that great verse! Sorry I didn’t see your text yesterday! I had muted my phone for church and forgot to turn it back on until bed time! AARGGHH!! I hope your Fourth was good!
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You are welcome! The good news of Jesus brings joy and laughter. There is no doom and gloom in him. 😃😍
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You’re welcome, Sally. Thank you for stopping by today. Have you seen any of those icebergs that aren’t supposed be around this year?
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Thank you! I originally included a reference about Jesus being the way and the truth and the life. But I left it out—knowing that someone would probably think of it. And you did! Thank you for reading and commenting. Blessings!
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Great post, David.
The verses from Philippians are some of my favourites.
This post is good advice for everyone.
Thanks 🌼🤗
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David, your term, “doom scrolling” captures the essence of main stream media. It is a tool used to put fear in people for control. Jesus said, “You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.” Jesus is the Truth and Way Maker that brings true freedom. Glad you gave up the doom scrolling. I also gave it up years ago and do not miss it.
Abundant blessings!
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