The phone on the left is my old phone, the phone on the right is my new phone. I just got my new phone in December.
I'll give you a moment.
With the technological advances today, this dichotomy seems kind of unreal. For the most part, people got their first smart phones two or three years ago at the latest.
Bur I just got mine in December.
Now, I'm not going to talk about the usual cliche arguments concerning smart phones and "dumb" phones, like how smart phones have created a more disconnected society or how they cause us to waste so much of our time, and how I wish I could have my dumb phone back, because I don't want it back.
And I don't think having a smart phone has caused me to be more disconnected from my real relationships or that it has caused me to waste more time, because, to be honest, I was disconnected plenty and wasting tons of time with just my laptop.
I'm quite appreciative of my smart phone. It has allowed me to send diverse messages to friends and family, like pictures and web links. When I receive a group chat, it doesn't get all divided up, mismatched, and confusing.
And I can receive sent pictures now! You have no idea how many times I've gotten a video, GIF, or picture message, and my phone has told me, "couldn't play message." I never knew what was going on in those group chats.
Plus, now I can access this blog, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, so I can connect with you guys more easily.
And this blog has been so helpful in decompressing my thoughts and allowing an outlet for my creativity. So, when I communicate in real life, it doesn't come out as a jumbled, unorganized mess.
I like connecting with other people who understand what I'm going through. It's hard to find those people in real life when you're at the point in working through your anxiety that it's still hard to get out and about.
I will admit, I was pretty addicted to my phone the first two or three weeks I had it. From the app store, I downloaded Best Fiends and Mario Run, which I would play for hours a day.
But when January hit, I asked myself, "What am I doing? This is so dumb," so I deleted them both. I find now that I push myself to just use my phone for my blog and communication.
Don't get me wrong, I do go through relapses. After I deleted those games, I became addicted to Instagram, mindlessly scrolling through pics and vids that have pretty much no redeeming value. I also became addicted to YouTube again, watching videos until 3am or 4am.
I think I have an addictive personality by nature, and it kinda sucks. When I turn 21, I'm definitely going to stay away from alcohol, yes siree!
The only way I'm able to combat these technological addictions is through relying on God and His strength. When I try to kick these tech addictions in my own strength (which happens way too often), sure I can fight it for a little while; but then I relapse again, and that's when I end up sat on my phone until 3am.
I know in my whole being that relying on God's strength is the only way to truly win this fight. Not only that, it says so in the Bible, which means it's definitely true.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Also:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
These two verses tell me that no matter what it is, I can do it, as long as I rely on God to strengthen me. Also, if I keep myself in tune with God and what He wants for my life, He will lead me on the path that is most fulfilling.
I'm working hard to make this truth a reality in my life, both in my tech addiction and my anxiety.
Let me know in the comments what you're struggling with so I can pray for you. Also, let me know if you believe this idea to be truth or not. I would love to know what you guys believe.
Anyways, until next time I see you in virtual reality,
k, bye.
