Does your mobile device hold you captive? Do you like the interaction that a cell phone brings to your day? Many do. Some might even call it an addiction.

Texting, Facetime chats, email updates, social networking, and just the ability to talk on the phone no matter where you are or what you are doing can be addicting.

Recently I noticed that each of three friends were on the phone at the same time during a girls night out. We were suppose to be enjoying each other’s company, but instead gave our attention to others via our phones. Is that rude or what? *looks away in guilt*

Personally, I have an unhealthy sense of obligation to answer every phone call and text message immediately. I also like to check in on Facebook and Pinterest way too much.

I’ll race across the room to grab my phone out of my purse before the caller hangs up. I look and feel silly. What kind of power am I allowing to dictate my life?

No matter what you do for a living or pleasure, is it really healthy to allow others to invade your life at any time of the day or night? Should you be invading theirs? I don’t think so.

Escape the captivity of your mobile device

1. Don’t use your phone on your day off for business. As a pastor, I’m on call 24/7 for emergencies, but that doesn’t mean I have to take every call. I’ve learned not to answer or return phone calls or messages on my day off. If it really is an emergency, I’ll see (or hear) the message and call back.

2. Don’t use your phone during certain times of the day. I turn my phone off when I’m having quiet time with the Lord, writing a book, or any time of the day when something or someone needs my full attention—like my kids or my husband.

There have been too many times when I’ve wanted to get a gardening project or craft completed and didn’t because I got distracted by my mobile device. My bad. Callers can leave a message and I’ll call back later.

3. Check a caller’s ID before answering. Normally, if I can’t see the ID of the caller, I won’t answer it unless I am absolutely available. Usually I’m not, so it is easier to call them back at my convenience. If the ID shows and I want to talk to the caller, I’ll pick up.

4. Don’t apologize for not being available. Ten years ago no one expected you to pick up a phone at any time because few people had mobile phones. Now we do, and often people forget that you have a life and may not want to talk on the phone when they do.

Who’s voice are you listening to?

Recently I spent two weeks in Finland, and the amount of rest I received by not having access to a phone and only visiting the Internet once a day was refreshing. It also provided quiet in the midst of busy to hear the Lord’s voice.

How can we hear the voice of the Lord if we are too busy listening to other voices?

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it’ (Isaiah 30:15 NIV).

Note the last part of Isaiah 30:15 … the part “but you would have none of it.”

Believe me, you don’t want to go there.

I repented for allowing something other than the Spirit to dictate my life through rest, quietness, and trust. I find my strength coming back now as I follow the 4 guidelines for mobile devices given above and pay closer attention to Isaiah 30:15. My life is quieter, and I love it!

In what ways does your mobile device hold you captive? What do you plan to do about it?

Have a great, mobile device-limiting weekend! Susan

“Jesus likes it when we share.” -Adelaide, age 3: Pass this along to everybody and their brother. OK, maybe not everybody’s brother, but you know . . . all of your friends would be nice.

Related posts:

Do You Suffer From Overload?

Six Ways to Open the Gift of Rest

Mary Beth shares 7 Steps to Stop Social Media From Taking Over Your Life at Christian Mommy Blogger