What Are You Feeding Your Mind? A Christian Look at Your Social Media Feed

Recently, I was sitting at a picnic table with one of my good friends. Our kids were off playing in the creek, and we were lost in conversation. We started talking about different things that encourage us, and different things we listen to (podcasts, audiobooks, and such), and we got on the topic of social media and how, on Instagram in particular, it’s called a “feed.” It’s a phrase that’s stuck with me since: what are you feeding your mind?

My friend looked at me and said, “Isn’t it interesting that it’s called your feed?“

And I said yes — and isn’t it also interesting that we have an apple with a bite out of it on the back of our phones? (Haha! We could have gone far here.) But to focus on the point — our feeds.

Everything Is a “Feed” — So What Are You Feeding Your Mind?

I started thinking about it. Pinterest feed. Podcast feed. News feed. It’s all called a feed. And we wonder why we’re anxious when we’re constantly feeding on these things. When we’re scrolling, we’re literally feeding our minds with what we see — and especially what we focus on, or go further with (ahem, rabbit holes we all fall into).

Another woman I was talking to this week was expressing how easy it is to get lost in the scroll. We relate. You wake up in the morning, pour your coffee, want some uninterrupted quiet time — but instead you open your phone and get lost scrolling until you have only two minutes left before you have to get the kids up. I get it. I’ve totally been there. And I’ve totally had those thoughts afterward: “Why did I just waste my time doing that?”

Anyway, after this conversation, I started thinking more about how social media is feeding us. And how it can either feed our minds for better or for worse. There are certainly things on social media that are encouraging to consume. Just like with food — there are things we can physically eat that leave us feeling great and nourish our bodies, and there are things that may feel exciting or entertaining in the moment but leave us feeling like crud.

Running Your Feed Through the Philippians Frisk

It made me think again of Philippians 4:8, which is the same verse I brought up in my last blog post on trusting God when you don’t have clarity. The Philippians frisk. It made me pause and run a filter through what I am posting. Is it pure? Is it true? Is it honorable? Is it excellent? Is it just? Gosh, God gives us the best filters for things.

Imagine — if you were to use this filter for what you consume and share on social media (Instagram, Pinterest, podcasts). Because here’s the thing that’s true for us all: Our thoughts influence our feelings. Our feelings influence our actions and behaviors. And our consistent habits and behaviors (aka, our choices) shape our lives. It’s like James Clear wrote in a recent newsletter (I really like his emails):

“Everyone wants to be happy now, but it might be better to optimize for being satisfied later. 

Perhaps the key to happiness is to not worry about being happy today, but rather to make choices that will leave your future self feeling satisfied with how you chose to live. Do you feel a sense of satisfaction with the choices you made? With the way you lived today? With the things you chose to focus on over the last year? Are you “happy” with the impact you are making? 

Momentary happiness is hard to predict, but deep satisfaction is easier to control. It is on the other side of good choices, good habits, and meaningful impact.”

The Wolf You Feed Is the Wolf That Wins

There’s an old parable I’ve heard told a few different ways. A grandfather tells his grandson there’s a battle going on inside every person — like two wolves fighting. One is anger, envy, resentment, self-pity. The other is joy, peace, patience, love. The grandson asks, “Which one wins?” And the grandfather answers, “The one you feed.”

I was talking to a client this week who was feeling particularly anxious. We landed on exactly this — what are you feeding your mind? So, a question for you: what have you been feasting your eyes on this week? What’s been filling your ears? What kind of content have you been taking in — and how are you feeling because of it?

Feeding on What’s True and Good

Now imagine feeding on things that are true, honorable, excellent, worthy of praise. Imagine feasting on God’s word every day, filling your mind with His goodness instead. What are you feeding your mind with today — and is it good?

Romans 12:2 tells us not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts above all else, because everything we do flows from it. What we feed our minds doesn’t stay contained to our minds — it flows into how we live, how we parent, how we love our people.

Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us: don’t be anxious about anything, but in every situation, through prayer and thanksgiving, bring your requests to God — and the peace that exceeds understanding will guard your heart and mind.

Your Next Step

Maybe your next step is: before you open an app today, get intentional and think about what you WANT to feed yourself. Ask yourself the same question when you’re posting or commenting or engaging with something. Run it through the Philippians frisk. (God’s filters really are the best.) Considering these things is a way we say yes to His best and Live Brightly™.

The one you feed is the one that wins. What are you feeding today?

P.S. If this resonated, I’d love for you to come sit with us in the Live Brightly™ Community — or, if you’re craving something more one-on-one, let’s talk about Coaching (which includes Community).