ADDICTIONS
‘The lamp of the body Is the eye. If therefore your eye Is good, your whole body will be full of light’ (Matthew 6:22).
The TV is one of the gadgets that stay in front of people’s eyes for longer periods of time. On average, Europeans watch television for about 18 hours per week and Americans about 28. People in other countries watch less television. But the general tendency is toward excessive TV watching. TV shows represent the number one pastime in the world, way ahead of computer and the Internet. Most television viewers spend more time watching TV than with their families, reading, playing, practicing sports, or doing cultural activities.
Many adverse effects regarding television have been identified. Watching TV promotes violence, promiscuity, passivity, and is an obstacle to physical activity. It tends to encourage superficial and even immoral values. Advertising is also dangerous to children and adults. Using very complex imaging techniques, it incites the viewer to view stories that are presented in an almost irresistible manner. In any case, television steals huge amounts of time through a magnetism that keeps the viewers unaware of the passage of time. It is true that sometimes it is used to share educational content, spreading useful news and even promoting moral values; however, such content is minimal compared to the most common ones.
But still there is another more serious risk: addiction. The future addict starts watching TV to relax and, without realizing it, increases the hours of watching. He develops an excessive interest in his favorite topic: soap operas, news, s orts, games, movies . . . or whatever. He needs to watch more to feel better. He fin\s it very difficult to turn it off. When he does not watch it, he mentally goes through the programmes and they blend into his imagination. At some point, he realizes there is a problem and he tries to limit its use, but he fails and experiences guilt for the relapse. These are addiction symptoms. As a result, his life gets complicated and this affects his relationships with his family, friends and co-workers or colleagues.
Some people fall into this habit more easily than others. Reflect on your personal strengths and weaknesses, and turn to God and ask Him for wisdom so you can take actions in your daily routine including during your time in front of the TV. If you have a predisposition to any type of addiction, perhaps you should completely erase it from your life by following the guidelines of the gospel (Matt. 18:9).
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores: Yudith C & Alejandra Zavala
