A Quick Victory Over Distraction
by Tonja Taylor

 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.--2 Timothy 1:7, Berean Study Bible

Overall, my husband and I are good at just using our cell phones as tools--to get our work done, to contact and encourage people, and not to be used to waste time or start or exacerbate strife. 

Although my husand and I both used to be addicted to electronics (read: spending way too much time on them, to the exclusion of other things, and even preventing us from deepening face-to-face relationships), the LORD has helped us gain wisdom and understand that His Spirit and His Word (which will never contradict each other, by the way!) are the most important, and that the phone just a tool--to promote His Kingdom, which includes being diligent in our daily duties.

I know people who send daily texts to others with Scriptures and other encouragements. Hallelujah!  Everything God gives is good, and to be used to His glory, to exalt and share His Words, and His Spirit, Who are One. 

21“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit will not depart from you, and My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart  from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and grandchildren, from now on and forevermore,” says the LORD.--Isaiah 59:21,  Berean Study Bible

So what's the "quick victory over distraction"? 

Simple: Turn the ringer off on your phone, then turn your phone over for five minutes, so you can't see it.  You can do this! 

Build up to 10 minutes, then more, even a whole day if possible.

I understand that, with younger children in school and at activities, and elderly loved ones and such that you normally communicate with, this can be a challenge. 

However, the LORD will help you! 

But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more.--Psalm 71:14, New Living Translation

Ask the LORD how to help you become free of the cell-phone addiction. He will. At the same time, He knows it is a tool we usually need to communicate with others. Also, we have access to almost innumerable versions of the Bible, and excellent true worship music online, plus anointed teaching and preaching of the Word.

Our phones can be powerfully used to welcome the Holy Spirit, Who is the Spirit of Truth Who leads us into all truth (John 16:13), and to receive amazing, transforming revelation into our lives. Hallelujah! 

However, just like with any meaningful relationship, we do well to follow the LORD's gentle nudges to turn off the phone and just be with Him. 

This is also a discipline, but a very enjoyable one. If you have been born again by receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior and LORD, then you are God's child, and He wants to talk with you, and just spend time with you!  (Yes, it can seem awkward, because usually, we cannot see Him, but He is more real than anything we can see, and everything good created came from Him! God is a Spirit (John 4:24), and He is the Living Word (Hebrews 4:12). Hallelujah!)

The LORD has helped me discipline myself to even leave my phone at home, if I'm going somewhere with my husband and he will have his (for emergencies, etc.--not that we have any! We do not allow any more "emergencies" in our lives, but that's another writing!)

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on  earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” --Matthew 16:19, Berean Study Bible

So, let me remind you that (1) God loves you always, no matter what, for He is Love (I John 4:8), and His Love never fails (I Corinthians 13:8)! (2) He will help you do what needs to be done, whether it's fasting/stopping cell phone use some every day (even going without it a whole day or so!); and (3) Spending time with Him is never wasted. He is the awesome One, and has the amazing ability to make everything work out like it should; so you're not losing time when you turn off the phone and relate personally to Him, you are making an eternal wise investment!

After all, it is Him Who gives us every breath, and every other good thing! Hallelujah!

So, let me remind you that (1) God loves you always, no matter what, for He is Love (I John 4:8), and His Love never fails (I Corinthians 13:8)!

27 God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 28 For in HIm we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said,  We are His offspring.’ --Acts 17:27-28, Berean Study Bible

You can do this. God will help you! 

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.--Isaiah 50:7, New Living Translation



Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.

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