Breaking Free from the Scroll: Real Refreshment for a Weary Soul

My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns [or underground tanks] that cannot hold water. Jeremiah 2:13 NIV

Find yourself endlessly scrolling or checking your phone? There’s a good reason for that.

Social media companies know what glues us to our screens—alluring images, sensational posts and … notifications. We aren’t just being entertained—our brains are being altered by what’s called dopamine mediated addiction. Dopamine is a chemical messenger in our brains that plays a crucial role in feelings of pleasure and reward. Experts say, “These apps can cause the release of large amounts of dopamine into our brains’ reward pathway all at once, just like heroin, or meth, or alcohol.”[1]

Although social media is only about 20 years old, there have always been distractions and yes, addictions, vying for our lives. In the Bible, God says, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns [or underground tanks] that cannot hold water” (Jeremiah 2:13 NIV).

When checking social media, watching shows, or playing games becomes a focus of our lives, we’re looking to them to give us meaning and fulfillment. But these “broken cisterns” can never fill us. Unlike companies driven by profit, God sincerely cares about your well-being. The Bible says that God longs to give you all that you need (Psalm 23:1). He wants to lead you to true refreshment, providing guidance, rest, and wholeness! God’s ways—spending time with Him, serving others, and growing in love—aren’t empty distractions. They’re life-giving practices that restore and strengthen us.

Are there distractions or addictions draining your time and energy? Come to the One who knows how to restore you.

[1] Goldman, Author Bruce, et al. “Addictive Potential of Social Media, Explained.” Scope, Logo Left ContentLogo Right Content Scope Stanford University School of Medicine blog, 9 May 2024, scopeblog.stanford.edu/2021/10/29/addictive-potential-of-social-media-explained/.