Soul Care: Why is 'Unplugging' a Spiritual Discipline?

Unplugging is a spiritual discipline because it intentionally removes digital noise to create a sacred space where you can hear God’s voice, renew your mind, and relinquish control of your life to the Creator. By stepping away from the constant stimulation of screens, you shift your focus from the world’s demands to God’s presence, allowing the Holy Spirit to bring true rest and restoration to your soul. This practice isn't just about "taking a break"; it is a modern-day fast that re-centers your identity in Christ and protects the peace that only He can provide.

Bible Verses for Nighttime Soul Care

• Psalm 4:8 (NIV): "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."

• Matthew 11:28 (NIV): "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

• Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

• Mark 6:31 (NIV): "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they had no even to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'"

• Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV): "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

The Spiritual Need for a Digital Detox

In our modern world, we are constantly "on." We carry our work, our social lives, and the world's tragedies in our pockets. This constant connectivity often leads to a soul that feels cluttered, anxious, and exhausted. At Boundless Online Church, we believe that your spiritual health is directly tied to your ability to find stillness in the presence of Jesus.

Unplugging is more than just turning off your phone; it is a declaration that God is in control of the world, even when you aren't watching. When you scroll late into the night, your mind is bombarded with comparison, information overload, and "outrage culture." This prevents your heart from entering into the "calm power" that comes from the Holy Spirit.

By practicing a digital detox, specifically in the evening, you are choosing to let God’s Word be the last thing you hear before you sleep. This is how we protect our "Soul Care." It is how we move from being "spiritually open" to being "spiritually mature."

Relinquishing Control: The Evening Altar

One of the biggest hurdles to rest is the feeling that we must "fix" everything. We check emails one last time, scroll through news updates, or look at what others are doing on social media. This behavior is often a symptom of trying to maintain control.

Spiritual unplugging allows you to build an "evening altar" of trust. When you dock your phone and open your Bible, you are saying, "Lord, I trust You with the loose ends of my day. I trust You with my worries, my family, and my future."

5 Ways to Unplug Your Soul Tonight

1. Set a Digital Curfew: Choose a time (at least 60 minutes before bed) when all non-essential screens go dark. This signals to your brain, and your soul, that the work of the day is finished.

2. Exchange Scrolling for Scripture: Instead of reading a feed, read a Psalm. Let the ancient words of God's faithfulness wash over the stress of your modern life.

3. Practice Evening Gratitude: Name five specific things God did for you today. This shifts your mindset from "what I lack" to "what God provides."

4. Hand Your Worries to Jesus: Physically close your eyes and imagine yourself handing each worry to Christ. He is big enough to carry them while you sleep.

5. Choose Silence Over Stimulation: Before closing your eyes, sit in two minutes of total silence. Simply be with God. You don’t need to perform; you just need to be present.

Soul Care as a Modern Spiritual Discipline

In the Assemblies of God tradition, we emphasize the power of the Holy Spirit to transform our lives. This transformation requires "margin", space in our lives for the Spirit to move. If every second of your day is filled with digital input, you are effectively crowding out the "still, small voice."

Unplugging is a discipline because it requires effort. It is a "no" to the world so you can give a "yes" to God. This isn't about being anti-technology. After all, you are reading this on a digital platform! It is about mastery. Does technology serve your spiritual growth, or does it hinder it?

When you engage with a spiritual growth podcast or seek out an answers to life questions podcast, you are using technology as a tool for discipleship. But even good tools need to be set down so you can rest in the One who made you.

Digital Community and Personal Stillness

At Boundless Online Church, we love that we can connect people from Memphis to the ends of the earth. We provide virtual Bible studies and online small groups because community is vital. However, community is healthiest when individuals are also spending private, undistracted time with Jesus.

Think of your soul like a Stainless Steel Water Bottle. If it’s constantly being filled with muddy water (digital noise), there is no room for the living water that Jesus promises. You have to empty the clutter to make room for the Christ.

Tools and Resources for Your Journey

To help you stay focused on your faith during your "plugged-in" hours, check out these resources from our community:

• Spiritual Growth Podcast: Listen to deep dives into the Word of God that you can carry with you during your commute or workout.

• Answers to Life Questions Podcast: Discover biblical perspectives on the tough issues we face in a digital age.

• Boundless Mentoring: If you're struggling to find balance, our Christian mentors are available to walk with you.

• Faith Gear: Sometimes a physical reminder helps. Keep a Spiral Notebook by your bed to journal your evening prayers instead of using a phone app. Or, enjoy a warm tea in an Enamel Mug as part of your tech-free wind-down routine.

A Nighttime Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus, I come before You tonight and I intentionally set aside the noise of the world. I lay down my phone, my laptop, and my worries. I thank You for Your faithfulness throughout this day. As I prepare to sleep, I ask that Your Holy Spirit would quiet my mind and comfort my heart. I relinquish control of all my concerns into Your capable hands. Grant me Your perfect peace and restore my soul as I rest in You. Amen.

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Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.