Bloomscrolling and the Christian Call to Guard Your Mind

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One benefit of living in the 21st century is that information is readily available. There’s never been a time in history when news has been within reach 24/7 from our homes, bedrooms, or on the go. With an increase in information, however, comes an increase in bad news.

Open your phone or check Instagram, and there’s another tragedy, heartbreak, political argument, natural disaster, outrage, or heartbreak. From animal cruelty cases to human trafficking, these negative events can leave us scrolling for hours on end. Before we know it, we’re anxious, exhausted, overwhelmed, angry, and emotionally numb. It isn’t that we don’t care, but we don’t know what to do with all this information. We know we can’t respond to everything, but how do we keep going after what we just saw or witnessed?

What Is Bloomscrolling, and How Is It Different from Doomscrolling?

To counter this negative overwhelm, many people are trying “bloomscrolling.” Nearly the opposite of “doomscrolling,” bloomscrolling is the practice of intentionally looking for kind, uplifting, positive, beautiful, encouraging, or hopeful content online. The goal isn’t to ignore negative news or pretend it doesn’t exist, but to interrupt the constant stream and demand of negativity with realistic reminders that beauty and goodness do exist. The bigger question here, however, isn’t just what we are looking for or at, but what are we allowing to occupy our minds? As Christians, we can take this one step further: How can we stay engaged with a broken world without allowing negative news to dominate our attention?

In Philippians 4:8, we read these words: “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” (NIV). This verse points out two distinct facts: We as Christians aren’t called to ignore the brokenness around us, but we also aren’t called to consume its negativity endlessly. This is why Philippians says that what we give our attention to matters. What you consume and think about doesn’t just shape your thoughts, emotions, and how you live, but it actively shapes how others see you and who you become.

Why Does What We Consume Matter to Our Minds?

While trends like bloomscrolling aren’t excuses to ignore the news, bury our heads in the sand, and move on with our lives, they do remind us of an important perspective shift. Christians should absolutely still care about suffering, injustice, and what’s happening in the world around us. However, attention is formative. This is why Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (NIV). We cannot engage with the world, social media, or news around us passively. What we consume will eventually influence how we see ourselves, others, and the world.

Sadly, constant exposure to things like outrage and fear can make the world feel more frightening than it actually is. We become more easily paranoid and on edge. While it’s important to be cautious, wise, smart, and aware, these things should be put into perspective. Constant comparison can also make our “good” lives feel inadequate. Hope becomes naïve or wishful thinking.

Not every negative emotion comes from social media or what we consume. Of course, things like anxiety, depression, grief, and other struggles are more complex than what someone sees online or even within the fad of bloomscrolling. The point is this: Our minds need nourishment, not just information, and what we consume matters.

Does Guarding Your Mind Mean Ignoring Bad News?

Instead of believing that Christians should only consume happy content, Paul shows us a different way. It’s okay to admit that painful things are happening. We don’t need to pretend, ignore injustice, avoid all difficult news, or only think positive thoughts. But Philippians 4:8 reminds us what truly deserves our sustained attention. According to this passage, there are 6 types of thoughts worth dwelling on:

True- what we think about should be true. Don’t spend a lot of time living in misinformation or fear-driven news.

Noble- what we think about should be worthy of our attention. Do you spend more time thinking about social media or God? Money or God? Politics or God? These are some good questions to check your heart with and bring to the Lord honestly.

Right- what we think about should align with God’s character and justice. Does what we’re thinking match who we know God to be?

Pure- what we think about should be pure and wholesome. Stay away from thoughts that distort God’s design.

Lovely- what we think about should be attractive. Beauty still matters to God.  

Admirable- what we think about should cultivate goodness. Think about stories and examples in your life that support this.

Instead of ignoring reality, Paul advocates for thinking that’s informed. And being informed is different from being continually consumed or perpetually immersed in the negativity around us.

How Did Jesus Engage Suffering Without Living in Constant Overwhelm?

Instead of living in negative thoughts of darkness, we as Christians should learn how to care for it without living in it. Look at Jesus.

Jesus lived in a broken and depressing place. And yet, He never ignored suffering. Jesus took time to notice people who were hurting, grieve with those who were grieving, and confront what needed to be confronted (often injustice and hypocrisy). He was incredibly attuned to the world around Him and cared about what was happening. But He also withdrew to pray and rest, and His life didn’t look like the darkness that surrounded Him. He brought light into dark places, and we’re called to do the same.

In Mark 1:35, we see that “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (NIV). Jesus didn’t just do this one time in his life, or when He encountered the heaviness of the world around Him; it was His routine practice. Because Christians can be aware of what’s happening without knowing every update. We can care about suffering and injustice without consuming every graphic. We can pray for tragedy without reading every comment and engaging in comment wars. We can advocate for justice without living in a state of anger. We can stay informed without allowing the news to dictate how we act and feel. Awareness and obsession aren’t synonymous and shouldn’t be in our lives.

What Is Social Media Doing to the Person I Am Becoming?

Instead of simply asking, “Is this content true?” what if we asked, “Is this content making me more compassionate or more cynical?” Instead of asking, “Is this content engaging?” what if we asked, “Is this content thoughtfully informed or just catastrophic?”

In Galatians 5:22-23, we see that the fruit of the Spirit is from God, but also qualities we should see in our lives: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (NIV). The goal isn’t to measure every news video or social media post for whether it makes us feel good. Sometimes truth should make us uncomfortable or lead us to action. But discomfort isn’t enough. How are we responding to what we hear, see, or consume? Do we pray? Act with wisdom? Show compassion?

Instead of staying trapped in a loop of fear and outrage, we must allow what we see to move us toward something. More than positive vibes or shallow positivity, bloomscrolling can remind us that creation still contains beauty amidst the chaos. Goodness still exists. Communities still support one another. Laughter is possible. God is still working in ways we don’t always see with the naked eye.

The point isn’t to replace every hard and heinous story with a cute puppy video or rainbows and sunshine. It’s to remember that these hard stories aren’t the only stories. And God can still work redemption through them.

How Can Christians Guard Their Minds Online?

If you’re looking for practical ways to guard your mind with intention, try one of the steps below:

1. Set Boundaries- around the news, with family and friends, on social posts, etc. Instead of always being “in the know,” set specific times to check current events. Refrain from reaching for your phone every time you’re bored, anxious, or scared.

2. Add Beauty- instead of aimlessly following everyone. Choose to follow creators who share art, nature, encouragement, Scripture, humor, or things that make you feel good. Then unfollow or mute accounts that leave you feeling angry, fearful, or emotionally numb.

3. Replace- if you stop doomscrolling or want to reduce your time spent on socials, have something ready. Replace it with getting outside, texting a friend, reading a book, listening to worship music, or praying.

Negative news can be overwhelming. While it is a part of real life, it shouldn’t become all that we see. Instead of asking how much time we spend engaging with the world, maybe we should ask what kind of person we’re becoming because of what we give our attention to. Consuming fear, outrage, and comparison will lead to fear, anger, and dissatisfaction. But consuming beauty, truth, and goodness will create space for our minds to remember what’s also still true. We don’t guard our minds by ignoring the darkness; we guard them by refusing to let darkness become the only thing we see.

Prayer

Dear God, please help me pay attention to what is shaping my mind. Give me wisdom to stay informed without becoming consumed by the world around me. We love, praise, and thank you, Jesus. Amen. 

Agape, Amber

Frequently Asked Questions

For Further Reading

• How to Guard Your Mind in the Digital Age
• How Christians Can Break Free from the Grip of Dopamine Media
• Wading Through a World of Overwhelm with God’s Word a Steady Anchor
• 4 Ways Information Overload Stunts Your Spiritual Growth
• How Do We Navigate Outrage Culture in America in the Digital Age?

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Gorica Poturak

Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.

This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com.