10 Tips To Manage Your Smartphone Usage

10 FAQs to help you better manage your smartphone Usage

Smartphones have become ubiquitous in our society. They are no longer just a means of communication, but also a portal to the world. We use them to keep in touch with friends and family, to stay up-to-date with current events, to access entertainment, and to conduct business. While smartphones can be a valuable tool, they can also be a source of distraction and addiction. In this article, we will ask ten questions to diagnose your smartphone usage and help you make wise decisions about how to use your device.

Question 1: Do You Control Your Phone, or Does Your Phone Control You?

The first question to ask yourself is whether you control your phone, or whether your phone controls you. Do you check your phone out of habit, or because you are genuinely interested in what is happening on it? Do you feel anxious or uncomfortable when you are away from your phone? If you feel like your phone is controlling you, it may be time to reassess your usage.

Jesus teaches us to be in control of our desires, rather than being controlled by them. In Matthew 6:21, he says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our phones can easily become a treasure that we value above all else, which can lead us into a pattern of compulsive behavior. Instead, we should seek to use our phones as tools to serve God and others, rather than as idols to be worshipped.

Question 2: How Much Time Do You Spend on Your Phone?

The average American spends over four hours a day on their smartphone. That adds up to over 1,500 hours a year, or almost two months of their life! While some of this time may be productive or necessary, much of it is likely wasted on mindless scrolling and browsing.

Proverbs 10:4 says, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” While our smartphones can be a valuable tool for productivity and communication, they can also be a source of laziness and distraction. We should strive to use our time wisely, and not allow our phones to consume our lives.

Question 3: Do You Use Your Phone During Social Gatherings?

Do you pull out your phone during meals or social gatherings, rather than engaging with the people around you? Do you find yourself checking your phone during conversations, or feeling distracted by notifications? If so, it may be time to reevaluate your priorities.

In Philippians 2:3, Paul writes, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” When we prioritize our phones over the people around us, we are putting our own desires above the needs of others. Instead, we should seek to be present and engaged with the people in our lives.

Question 4: Do You Use Your Phone in Bed?

Do you use your phone in bed, either to check social media or to watch videos? If so, you may be depriving yourself of valuable sleep. The blue light emitted by smartphones has been shown to disrupt our circadian rhythms, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.

In Psalm 127:2, the psalmist writes, “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” God designed us to need rest, both physically and spiritually. When we prioritize our phones over our sleep, we are neglecting the gift that God has given us.

Question 5: Do You Use Your Phone While Driving?

Using your phone while driving is not only illegal in many places, but it is also incredibly dangerous. According to the National Safety Council, cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. If you find yourself tempted to check your phone while driving, it may be time to make some changes.

In Proverbs 4:25-27, Solomon writes, “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” When we allow our phones to distract us while we are driving, we are putting ourselves and others in danger. Instead, we should focus on the task at hand and keep our eyes on the road.

Question 6: Do You Use Your Phone Before or After Time with God?

Do you reach for your phone before you spend time with God in the morning? Do you find yourself scrolling through social media instead of opening your Bible? If so, you may be neglecting the most important relationship in your life.

In Psalm 63:1, David writes, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Our relationship with God should be the foundation of our lives, not an afterthought. Instead of reaching for our phones first thing in the morning, we should seek to spend time in prayer and reading the Bible.

Question 7: Do You Use Your Phone in Church?

Using your phone in church can be a distraction, not only to yourself but to those around you. If you find yourself checking your phone during the sermon or scrolling through social media during worship, you may be missing out on valuable opportunities to connect with God and his people.

In Hebrews 10:24-25, the author writes, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” When we come together as a church, we have the opportunity to encourage and build up one another in our faith. Instead of being distracted by our phones, we should seek to be fully present and engaged in worship.

Question 8: Do You Use Your Phone to Escape from Reality?

Do you find yourself using your phone to escape from the stresses and challenges of life? Do you use social media or games as a way to numb your emotions or avoid difficult situations? If so, you may be missing out on valuable opportunities to grow and learn.

In James 1:2-4, the author writes, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” When we face difficult situations, we have the opportunity to grow in our faith and become more like Christ. Instead of using our phones to avoid these challenges, we should seek to face them with courage and trust in God.

Question 9: Do You Use Your Phone to Compare Yourself to Others?

Do you find yourself comparing your life to the carefully curated images on social media? Do you feel inadequate or inferior when you see the highlight reels of other people’s lives? If so, you may be falling into the trap of comparison.

In Galatians 6:4-5, Paul writes, “But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.” When we compare ourselves to others, we are focusing on the wrong things. Instead, we should seek to live out the unique calling that God has given us, and trust that he will use us for his purposes.

Question 10: Do You Use Your Phone to Share the Gospel?

Finally, do you use your phone as a tool for sharing the gospel with others? Do you use social media to encourage and build up your brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you use your phone to send messages of hope and truth to those who need it?

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus tells his disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” As followers of Christ, we have been given the incredible privilege and responsibility of sharing the good news of salvation with the world. Our phones can be a valuable tool for this mission, if we use them wisely.

Conclusion

Our smartphones can be a valuable tool for productivity, communication, and sharing the gospel. However, if we allow them to control our lives, they can also be a source of distraction and addiction. By asking ourselves these ten questions, we can diagnose our smartphone usage and make wise decisions about how to use our devices.

As we seek to use our phones wisely, let us remember the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” May every aspect of our lives, including our use of technology, be dedicated to the glory of God and the spread of his kingdom.