A Better Diet: Feed Your Soul With Joyscrolling

What happens when you mix oil and water together?

They separate right there in the glass.

What happens when your daily scroll through social media cooks up a divisive blend of overwhelmingly negative news headlines and pessimism?

It’s called “Doomscrolling.”

Doomscrolling is a recipe that can separate us from God’s gift of peace. 

If you feed your soul with joyscrolling, that doesn’t happen.

Joyscrolling feeds inquisitive minds, but with a better-for-you, healthier-for-your-brain outcome.

Frankly, I’d rather embrace a positive attitude for the day, rather than having a news anchor, influencer, or online commentator trying to influence it for me.

But where does one start you might ask?

We can take a cue from the following encouraging verse in God’s Word.

The Apostle Paul was speaking to the Philippians but his words, as one of God’s chosen messengers, ring true for believers today.

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. – Philippians 4:8, (NASB).¹

God wants us to seek His peace, no matter what the circumstances.

Peace is knowing that what the Bible tells us is true, that God is always with us and that, through belief in Jesus alone for our salvation, we will have eternal life.

Thinking on whatever is pure entails filling our minds with thoughts that are innocent, virtuous, clean, not contaminated by anything evil, and free from every defilement. Pure thinking should infuse every area of our lives, including what we watch, read, and do. – gotquestions.org.²

What sort of videos or stories bring you joy or laughter? What makes you smile?

Seek those things out!

BibleRef.com explains it this way: “While God guards our hearts (Philippians 4:7), we are also commanded to focus our lives on things that please God.”³

Feed Your Soul With Joyscrolling: A Change in Attitude

Purposely avoiding the endless feeds of doomscrolling options is not “sticking your head in the sand”, as some critics might like to say.

On the contrary, you can be aware of what’s going on in our fallen world, but “dwelling on it” can be a big mistake. 

With that in mind, what brings you joy, positive thoughts, and/or happiness?

A walk in the sunshine?

A particular hobby?

Reading an inspirational book?

Playing an instrument?

Daily I try to seek out positive sermons or inspirational podcasts.

My video scrolling also includes funny dog videos on YouTube, laugh-out-loud classic Candid Camera episodes, FaithPot feel-good stories, and more. 

When online, joyscrolling is very attainable – if you just make the effort to look.

For instance, one of my favorite pastimes is listening to good music. I like a lot of genres from classic rock to bluegrass.

Whether it’s singing along to an old Motown tune or a country favorite, it’s a fun way to bring up some great memories and have better free time.

Speaking of joy, there’s a talented family I’ve featured before on Delight-in-God – The Petersens.

They have a new cover song I found recently while joyscrolling.

Every time I watch it, it makes me happy so I’m excited to share.

I hope your screen time is filled with positive content evoking laughter, joy, and heartwarming inspiration.

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² Quotation from gotquestions.org from “What does it mean that we should think on whatever is pure (Philippians 4:8)?” n.d., para. 4. Web. Accessed July 19, 2024. Retrieved from Whatever is Pure.

³ Quotation from BibleRef.com. “What does Philippians 4:8 mean?” n.d., para. 2. Web. Accessed April 20, 2026. Retrieved from bibleref.com.