Technology and Relationships: How Digital Life Impacts Faith and Connection

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

Dear Friends,

Never underestimate the power of relationships. Every human being was created to connect with others – and, on a deeper level, with God Himself. From the very beginning, sin entered the picture, separating us from God and complicating all other relationships. Today, technology, instead of solving our intimacy problem, has often made it worse. The tension between technology and relationships is one of the greatest challenges of our time.

The tools we thought would make the world smaller and more connected have actually weakened our ability to build meaningful relationships. Instead of bringing peace, technology has often produced more loneliness, distraction, and anxiety – and I believe it has even hindered our relationship with God. Technology and relationships can work together for good, but often they collide in unhealthy ways.

Technology and Relationships: A Modern Challenge

Research shows that social media and digital communication often cause heartbreak across all ages. While it may appear that we have hundreds of “friends,” these interactions are often shallow and unsatisfying.

I’ve personally felt the anxiety of checking to see whether my post was liked or shared. It’s sobering how a single number can influence an entire day. Yet many of our “friends” never even see our content. Algorithms decide what appears, and even when people do respond, the connection often lacks depth. Despite being more connected than ever, loneliness has become an epidemic.

When Authenticity Gets Lost Behind the Screen

Face-to-face conversations – where we look into someone’s eyes and listen – create a level of intimacy that digital screens cannot duplicate. But the more we rely on technology for relationships, the less capable we become at navigating real, in-person interactions.

Online, there’s no need to read emotions or body language. If we dislike what someone says, we can simply ignore them – or worse, respond with harsh words we would never speak in person.

Another challenge is authenticity. Online, we can project a carefully crafted image, hiding our real struggles behind cheerful pictures and clever quotes. This not only prevents people from knowing us as we truly are, but it also fosters jealousy, comparison, and insecurity in others. Instead of seeing reality, we see performances.

Technology and Our Relationship with God

As harmful as technology can be to our human relationships, it also threatens our relationship with God. The constant stimulation of videos, reels, and endless scrolling rewires our brains, weakens our ability to concentrate, and shortens our attention spans. Information overload can dull our ability to think deeply, and instant gratification undermines the patience and endurance needed to grow spiritually.

But God calls us to something different. He tells us: “Be still, and know that I am God.” He doesn’t provide quick reels to keep us entertained. He invites us to meditate on His Word. The Holy Spirit reveals truth through time, stillness, and focus. If our brains have been conditioned for speed and distraction, how can we engage in the slow, patient work of knowing Him?

God also calls us to persistent prayer – waiting on His timing and trusting His wisdom. In His economy, there are no shortcuts or self-help hacks. Instead, He promises that those who wait on Him will renew their strength, run and not grow weary, walk and not faint.

Practical Steps to Reconnect With People

We can’t turn back the clock, but we can take intentional steps to limit our dependence on technology:

• Set boundaries for internet use.
• Remove apps that tempt you to waste time scrolling.
• Designate phone-free hours or commit to a “media fast.”
• Prioritize face-to-face connections – take a walk with a friend, visit the bank instead of depositing online, or schedule coffee with someone who matters.

Building Stronger Relationships with God

Spiritually, create space for God by removing digital noise:

• Establish a quiet, technology-free time with Him daily.
• Read from a physical Bible, meditate on Scripture, and memorize verses.
• Pray persistently, waiting on God’s timing instead of searching for instant solutions.

We were created for relationships – with God and with others. But our enemy, Satan, will use anything, even good things like technology, to pull us apart. Don’t let him win. Think about your lifestyle and make the changes necessary so you can thrive. When we put technology and relationships in their proper place, we can enjoy deeper connections with God and with people.

Disconnect to Reconnect: Choosing What Matters Most

This week, take one practical step to disconnect from technology and reconnect with God and others. Whether it’s a media fast, a phone-free hour, or a face-to-face conversation – choose to reclaim what matters most. Don’t let technology steal your intimacy with God or your joy in relationships.

Love,

Mama

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. If you have questions or would like to share how technology and relationships have impacted your life, please reach out to me through my Contact Page. And if you’d like encouragement delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to scroll down to the bottom to sign up to receive email notifications whenever I share a new post. Let’s continue this journey together!