READ: PSALMS 63:6-8; 119:103-105; MATTHEW 11:28-30

There are times when I have a few free moments, and I reach for my phone. My finger automatically taps on a social media app, a good place to go when I just want to browse for a little while, see some content quick, and move on. The types of things I see on social media, though, can cause me stress or make me feel down. I wish I was quicker to open the Bible app on my phone instead of social media.

When we spend a lot of time on social media, we’re exposed to news that we wouldn’t otherwise see, the lives of others that we automatically compare our own lives to, and drama that has nothing to do with us but still draws us in. Plus, there’s a lot of untrustworthy information online. It’s hard to know what’s true, what’s partially true, and what’s completely made up—even if some people believe it’s real. There is good on social media too, but a lot of what we see on these platforms is not beneficial to us. The more time we spend on social media, and the more we turn to it when we’re bored or we have just a few minutes of free time, the more it can bring us down. Studies have even shown it can negatively affect our brains.

But when we spend time with God, we can find peace. Often, the more time we spend with Him, the more peaceful we feel. We were created for relationship with the one who made us. He loves us so much that He suffered the cross for us—and He’s so powerful that He rose from the grave and promises to make all things new. God knows we need His love and strength as we live in a world that still bears the effects of sin. When we take just a few minutes to turn to Jesus by praying or reading the Bible, we may find our entire outlook changes and we feel better.

Social media can be good and fun in moderation, but I don’t like the way it makes me feel sometimes. Think about how you feel the next time you get off social media. And then think about how you feel the next time you set aside your Bible after reading a passage. How do the two compare? I’ve found there is a special peace that comes through spending time with God in prayer and in His Word. • Emily Acker

• How do you feel after spending time on social media? Are there certain apps or content creators that make you feel better or worse? Why do you think that is?

• How much time, and what kind of time, do you think is healthy to spend on social media each week?

• Have you ever felt stressed or bored, and then read or listened to the Bible? What was that like?

Those who love your law have great peace. Psalm 119:165 (WEB)