Navigating Anxiety Caused by Social Media: Finding Faith and Resilience

Social media can be considered both a blessing and a curse. For many people, especially the younger generation, anxiety caused by social media has become a growing issue. To figure out how to find balance in interacting with social media, you need to turn to your faith.

The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

Though designed to connect us, social media often does the opposite. The constant comparison to others' highlight reels can easily lead to anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. When you scroll through endless feeds, turning off your brain, you absorb content without truly processing it. In this state, you're not filtering what is true and what is false. Without mindful engagement, social media can become a source of stress rather than a tool for connection.

Faith as a Source of Strength

Leaning into your faith can be so helpful in combating anxiety caused by social media. Reading scripture and immersing ourselves in God's word provides true comfort. Scripture reminds us that our worth is not defined by likes or followers but by our relationship with God.

Strategies to Limit Anxiety Caused by Social Media

For those who want to engage more responsibly with social media, follow these strategies:

• Curate Your Feed: Follow accounts that inspire positivity and align with your values. Unfollow accounts that evoke feelings of inadequacy or negativity.
• Engage with Faith-Based Content
• Do Devotions: Start or end the day with a devotional or scripture reading. This practice can help center your thoughts and provide a faith-driven perspective on daily challenges.

Seeking Professional Help

Faith is a powerful tool, but sometimes, it's necessary to seek additional support. If the anxiety feels overwhelming, reaching out to a mental health professional can provide you with valuable guidance. Therapy, counseling, or even medication may be necessary to restore emotional balance and ensure you're on a healthy path.

About Whitney Lowe

Whitney Lowe is a Christian influencer who wants to see young women excited about God’s work: in the Bible, in history, in the world, and in them. She writes and creates on Instagram @ScribbleDevos, a project born from the realization that young women simply do not interact with the Bible enough to be changed by its truth. Whitney is passionate about disrupting the toxic scroll of social media with hope, peace, and light straight from Scripture.

She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, who is a pastor, and their two young children.

Whitney’s book: Set Your Eyes Higher: A 40-Day Reset to Slow Your Anxiety and Fix Your Focus on God (A Devotional)

Whitney's Website

Additional Resources Related to Navigating Anxiety

Download the free eBook: A Guide to Alleviate Anxiety by Adopting Healthy Habits for a Healthy Mind.

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Identity in Christ - Episode 317 What does the Bible say about your identity?