Put Down that Phone!

We have to remember that God gave us our phones and computers, not to distract us, but to find a way to glorify Him.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Put down that phone, and pay attention!” We’ve heard it from our spouse, our co-workers, our children, and our friends. Sometimes, we use our phones to help us communicate with those around the world, but often times it distracts us from changing the world.

Now, we have to remember that it’s not a sin to spend time on our phones or our laptops, but when it takes our focus away from spending time in God’s Word or from the people that God gave us in our life then it’s time to refocus and realize that our priorities might be out of order!

We can get distracted by Instagram, hooked onto Pinterest, and engrossed by Google. These are all good tools, but when they become our focus they turn into an interference in our personal growth–tearing us down instead of building us up. We fall into traps such as comparison, discontentment, and often times self pity. We fail to see everything that God has blessed us with and start dwelling on what we don’t have.

I can tell you that I have recently heard the phrase, “Put down that phone,” many times. I’ve enjoyed watching videos, texting a friend, or scrolling on Facebook to see what’s going on across the country. And, although I’ve had a good time doing so, I’d have to admit that it makes me eager to go out on the next vacation, buy the latest outfits, or rearrange my living room. I start to forget my blessings and become distracted by discontentment. What can I say? Unfortunately, I’m only human just like you.

When this happens I have to remember to:

Put Down that Phone!

When I put down my phone, I erase the thoughts of comparison, jump out of the trap of discontentment, and escape the hold of distractions. When I put down my phone, I see the world around me.

When I put down my phone, God gives me a better perspective of all that He’s done and continues to do in my life. When I put down my phone, I notice those that want to spend time with me, make memories, and enjoy laughter. When I put down my phone, I understand that there are those who are begging for my eyes, longing for my laughter, and wishing for my smile, but it’s pretty hard when my face is hidden behind a screen.

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase, “Put down that phone,” one too many times as well. Perhaps you’ve been so captivated by a television program, an internet search, or a phone conversation that you’ve unknowingly missed out on some of the most breathtaking moments with those around you. I think we’ve all done that at one time or another and later regretted it.

We can use our phones to touch and change lives, but we should not make them our lives.

In my last article entitled, “Dive Into the New,” I challenged you to try out some new things this summer, and now I’m challenging you (and myself) again. Let’s try something new and put down that phone. Let’s pay attention to the people around us! Let’s soak in all of the precious moments, the loud laughter, and the new experiences!

Don’t spend hours watching the screen! Instead, be mesmerized by what’s going on just on the other side of it.