One of the biggest reasons for having relationship problems is lack of communication. Relationships grow through communication. So, if there is a lack of communication, relationships will be difficult to maintain. TV has been one of the sources of lack of communication within the family. Imagine we work or study at school all day, and when we come home, we immediately turn on the TV until we go to sleep without having good communication with our families. We may never know what our families are going through deep inside them because we do not have time to talk because of our favorite shows. Psychologists show that TV is affecting the cohesiveness of the family. Although families are sitting around in the living room watching TV, the families are not really bonding. However, when families talk about the movies that they watch, they bond together. According to Johns Hopkins Studies, watching too much TV can rot our brains (Johns Hopkins Study).
Watching TV also has benefits for gathering information (news) and entertainment (sports and movies). However, too much watching TV is not good for the health of our minds and our relationship with others. We need to turn off the TV and do some physical activities, such as exercise. We can also communicate with our families. Playing board games with families and others is also an alternative to bond relationships, except for those highly competitive games that lead to friction (hahaha). We have to be willing to fight for our relationships, and if watching too much TV robs our time with others and affects our brain, we need to turn off the TV and do what is good. Maybe for some of us, turning off our TV can be very difficult, but we can ask God to give us the strength and courage to change. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Having a healthy mind requires a change of lifestyle. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will." Let us pursue healthy minds that lead to a godly life.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you). What are the effects of watching too much TV? What are the benefits of not watching too much TV? What are the things that I need to do to minimize my time watching TV and spend more time communicating with my family and do healthy activities?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, please help me to pursue a healthy mind that leads to a godly life. Please help me not to watch too much TV. Please forgive me if I am neglecting my communication with others and not taking care of my mind and body. In this new year, would you please help me to change for a healthy mind and body? Please help me to pursue what is good in your eyes. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.