This is going to be a brief, “old school” post. I say that because it’ll read more like a journal entry or late 90’s blog write up. This may mean the post will seem random and not as coherent as usual, but please bear with me. Without further ado, and as the subject alludes, I want to share some recent thoughts that I have on escapism, fantasy, dopamine, God, and related issues.
Lately, I’ve witnessed through reading, media, and personal experience just how common it is to use mental escape to cope with daily life. This escape can come through daydreaming, binge scrolling on social media, alcohol abuse, video games, pornography, sexual deviancy/promiscuity, binge streaming, and more. It’s not all morally objectionable behavior either, and at the root of it is a longing for more. Despite all that we possess through technology and relative ease of 21st Century life, it’s clear that humanity still needs something.
I, too, have been guilty of using “escape” to cope. Whether the monotony of a 9-to-5 job with DC area commuting life or the routine nature of ministry and family life, there are times at which I’m physically exhausted or weary with the “rinse-repeat.” That’s when I find myself scrolling through social media and following the YouTube algorithm. That’s when I just want a few hours alone on PlayStation or end up binge watching the Office (again) or Big Bang Theory (again). Don’t get me wrong. These aren’t necessarily wrong actions, and I know there’s a difference between relaxation and the escapism of which I’m alluding, but that difference is a fine line of separation. One reflects the need to take mental and physical breaks to “recharge” and in order to function in reality. The other is seeking an alternative to one’s life with the goal of gratifying and reinvigorating for something outside reality.
Moreover, as I realize this tendency about myself (I only recently became aware of it), I’m going to God in prayer and extracting biblical principles on healthy ways to navigate this escapism. Even if particular acts like binge streaming or gaming aren’t sinful, escapism for the Christian is still like having a wooden shield, like having worn out and unreliable armor. Eventually, the protection will fail, and it’s likely to happen sooner rather than later. For these reasons, it’s important to address escapism before it leads to large, sinful, and life-altering actions.
All this escape ties in closely with dopamine—the brain chemical dealing with rewards and motivation. This is something of which we all need to be more aware, and I imagine awareness will only increase in the future as professionals emphasize mental health and observe the impact of smartphones and social media (see my post on it here). Often fantasy is part of the dopamine rush and propels one to seek an alternative lifestyle, engage in extramarital affairs (emotional and physical ones), or other sexually-deviant activities. The fantasy part is important to realize because it’s not real, which is one of the main reasons it’s so coveted. The alternative lifestyle might be better but it’s not a great in actuality as it is in one’s head. The extramartial affair is comforting and thrilling, but it lacks the covenantal commitment and responsibility of marriage, thereby making it unreal. Lastly, sexually-deviant activities . All of this fantasy appeals because of the dopamine hit that’s received throughout the various activities, and the mental promise of reward, whether real or imagined, drives one towards those fantasies especially when dissatisfied with daily life.
Lastly, as I stated earlier, I believe humanity is missing something, and I know what’s lacking. Man’s lack of purpose is the reason for the fantasy-saturated, escape-focused, dopamine-chasing conundrum in which we find ourselves. That thing he’s missing is “purpose.” It’s not a “just-give-him-something-to-do-type” purpose either. It’s a God-ordained purpose that can only be found in Christ. Yet, finding purpose is only part of the solution. The other part is enjoying and finding satisfaction in the purpose God gives. Otherwise, we’ll be the type of Christian who pursues God outwardly or the type that starts out well in the faith before drifting away.
So, what’s the solution to the Christian discontentment which yields an escapism from God rather than to God? I believe it is the reality of seeking and savoring Christ, not in a passive manner but in an active, aggressive manner. It’s truly experiencing, loving, and being consumed with this all-satisfying God. This solution is found in the life cry of Christian author, pastor, and theologian, Dr. John Piper, who often exclaims, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” I believe that’s the key, not because John Piper says it, but because I believe it’s a truth implicit in Scripture which changes everything about the Christian perspective (Ps. 16:11; Phil. 3:8).