Technology’s Negative Impact on the Soul

You’ve got to be kidding, right? Technology has some impact on my soul? Isn’t that going a bit too far?

No, it’s not. In fact, the question is part of the problem. We often assume we can master technology, when in reality, it is often the other way around. Here’s the hard truth. God never designed us to absorb the enormous amounts of information technology feeds us. Nor were we wired to bear the weight of every kind of event in the world to which we are exposed. 

Now add to the constant bombardment of technology all that has gone on in the first eight months of 2020. We are suddenly hit with COVID-19 and all the changes that has imposed upon us to the #MeToo movement, #BlackLivesMatter protests and more. I can’t speak for you, but I feel a level of emotional exhaustion I have never before experienced. 

Recently Stand to Reason podcast host Alan Shlemon commented on a Texas pastor’s Tweet which caused him to stop in his tracks. Here’s the exact quote in that Tweet: “Could it be that God didn’t wire us to carry every event, taking place in every part of the world, at every moment, as if it were ours? Could it be that technology has produced a faux omniscience and omnipresence that is hurting mankind and not helping it?” (emphasis mine) That’s a profound statement in my opinion. Shlemon expands on it by rightly suggesting, “Though technology often helps us, it also creates two problems that hurt our soul: faux omnipresence and faux omniscience.”

THE REST OF THE STORY

Think about it. We have box seats to every tragedy, grotesque act, protest, catastrophe, and personal events occurring every day in any part of our planet. Because the internet gives us immediate access to every imaginable event when it happens, we easily imagine ourselves there, even though we aren’t. Through our devices, social media, and television we are endlessly connected to stories as they happen but without, as Paul Harvey used to say, “the rest of the story”. We simply are not made to carry the burden of that much information “as if it were ours”.

Unlike our Creator, who is omnipresent, we need to remember that faux omnipresence is just that—it is fake, not real. We are not actually present at the events taking place that we witness. We can’t experience the actual pain or emotions that those who are experiencing the event feel even though we may feel some lesser degree of sympathy. We move from one event to another every day exposed to literally hundreds of emotional events or events within a single event. It’s overwhelming.

Shlemon also observes that “faux omnipresence leads to faux omniscience”. What he means is that because we are “tricked into thinking we understand what happened”, we make ourselves judge, jury and executioner on the spot. Somehow imagining ourselves there and possessing an objective understanding of what is actually going on we start to play God. We are tempted to express self-righteous opinions and conclusions based, not upon real facts, but upon how those facts have been presented to us. We saw it happen, after all. So, we let the rest of world know what we think. And they do the same.

Only God is omniscient. As human beings it is impossible for us to accurately evaluate all these digital scenarios, we “witness”. When we encounter others with different points of view on the same event, that creates another load of emotional stress and divisiveness in our lives. Repeat this day after day, and it takes a toll on our souls. 

Only God has the capacity to carry the weight of the world’s problems. As human beings there is only so much, we can take. God never designed us to bear all the pain of the world because it’s not ours to bear. Certainly, God calls us to love our neighbor and be instruments of justice… but not everywhere all the time! When we try it is exhausting and our souls languish because of all the anxiety, anger and judgmentalism. 

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS

So, how ought we address the unwarranted stress upon our souls that this technological invasion is able to impose? Shlemon offers several suggestions which I think are worth examining. I’ve added one of my own.

1. Unplug from the internet and social media. He’s not suggesting a permanent disconnection, but planned sabbaticals that allow us time to breath and regain perspective. This may sound hard. That’s because it is. We are addicted. Which is why it is also essential. Which brings us to three more essentials…
2. Use this new time for three things:
   1. Spend time in the Word and prayer. Ask for discernment for where God wants you to shoulder the burdens and needs of others. Christ modeled this practice for us when He lived among us, and He asks us to do the same. Don’t let media dictate what our response should be. Let the Spirit do it. And while you’re at it, ask God to provide people in your life that will help you carry your burdens.
   1. Spend time in God’s creation in nature. Take a walk or hide in the woods, in the mountains or along the beach. Whatever special place of solitude and quiet God has provided in your location, pay attention to God’s glory in the beauty He has created all around you. Stop, listen and observe.
   1. Spend time with family (my suggestion. Turn off your devices and make the most of those times you can be together. Kick off your shoes and talk or play a game. Fill a jar with questions each member of the family may want to discuss. Draw out a question and talk about it.
3. Develop a habit of giving thanks to Jesus who took upon Himself your burdens on the Cross. Shlemon reminds us that we have been given a very great promise and encouragement for times like this: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). That’s an amazing contrast to the overwhelming technological blitzes of our day, and it is good for the soul!

LINKS TO RESOURCES IN THIS POST:

How 2020 is Taking Its Toll on Your Soul by Alan Shlemon; Stand To Reason, August 5, 2020

Cavin Harper is a graduate of Baylor University and Denver Seminary, Cavin Harper served as an associate pastor for 17 years before founding ElderQuest Ministrieswhich later became known as the Christian Grandparenting Network. He writes a weekly blog on grandparenting and has authored several books including Courageous Grandparenting: Building a Legacy Worth Outliving.

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