I find it hard to resist a good cookie.

Lay out a plate of Oreos, Nutter Butters, or my personal favorite, chocolate chip cookies, and my dietary restrictions collapse like the Walls of Jericho. Yes, there’s a rumor that Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster was modeled after my eating habits.

I am writing this reflection during another holy and grace-filled Lenten season, a time to renew and strengthen our relationship with God. What does that have to do with my cookie addiction?

My love affair with these crispy, chewy, high-fat, high-sugar baked treats, I must admit, threatens my good health. Turning a mouthful of heaven into a meal may make my tongue do a happy dance, but my body will soon react to all the sweetness. In short, overindulging in this snack version of comfort food may not be so comforting, but rather an unhealthy distraction from what is good for me.

It also occurs to me that I have other indulgent habits that consume too much of my attention and time. Binge-watching a TV series, scrolling through TikTok videos, and browsing social media in general have all become routine. It’s during those in-between moments of life that the addictive nature of these habits becomes clear. Waiting in line, sitting in a doctor’s office, or just walking the dog — how many times do I instinctively grab my phone and start scrolling? 

One writer suggested that addictions are ultimately a disorder of worship. Ouch… Am I addicted to social media like I am to chocolate chip cookies? Have I allowed my all-consuming attention to the apps on my phone to become an idolatrous habit?

We live in an age of endless scrolling. I fear that we (myself included) have let Apple and all the other tech demigods capture our attention and become  objects of our “worship.”

One of my Facebook friends recently announced she is taking a break from social media. In bold letters, her latest post said, “SOCIAL MEDIA, I NEED A BREAK. For now, maybe 4-ever. It’s not you, it’s me.”

Sounds like a fast from chocolate chip cookies, or a repentance from wasting time.

Distractions in life can have an annoying and destructive effect – they are, well, simply distracting. When it comes to cookies, they can replace healthy eating habits, while social media creates a constant stream of noise. Being frequently connected to today’s digitally exhausting world disconnects us from real life or, at the very least, distracts us from it.

Such noise is the enemy of quiet. For me, carving out quiet time is a fast from distractions. More importantly, it creates space for prayerful meditation and reflection. It is during these moments that a deep, lasting hunger for God surfaces. It’s a reality check—a reminder that the distractions of our web-weary world are like overeating cookies—they’re not good for your health or your soul.

Addictions come in all forms, from chocolate chip cookies to iPhone apps and Facebook posts. This Lenten season may be a time to fast from technology’s version of irresistible chocolate chip cookies.  Maybe we all need a break from ceaseless activity on social media.

Psalm 46 reminds us to “Be still and know that I am God.” Finding peace amongst the chaos of life is a better use of time than social media and even sweeter than, I can’t believe I am saying this, a chocolate chip cookie.