Starting Your Day Right: A Better Alternative to Morning Phone Scrolling
Hey there,
I wanted to talk to you about something that’s become all too common in our modern lives, especially in the mornings. You wake up, reach for your phone, and are faced with a decision: do you start scrolling through social media or dive into the day ahead? It’s a choice many of us face, and I’d like to share some insights that might just change how you begin your mornings.
To shed some light on this dilemma, I conducted a survey back in 2021. I asked around a thousand people about their smartphone and social media habits, and the results were both fascinating and eye-opening. Here’s what I found: half of the respondents admitted to scrolling through their phones within the first few minutes of waking up. This number went up to over 60 percent among those aged 19-33. And a whopping 80 percent confessed that they usually checked texts, emails, and social media before spending time with God in the morning. Really?!
But let’s be realistic– starting the day by scrolling through your phone is like having chocolate cereal for breakfast or a oozing sweet cinnamon roll. It might be a tempting indulgence, but it’s not exactly healthy for your mind and soul.
So, given these stats, let’s talk about a better approach to those precious moments just after waking up.
First, let’s dive into the reasons why we’re so prone to reaching for our phones. I’ve come up with six possible explanations, and I call the first three “candy motives.”
- FOMO fear of missing out: We crave the novelty of what’s new in the world or among our friends. We want to be in the know and not feel left out.
- Ego Boost : Checking for likes, comments, and mentions strokes our ego. We enjoy being noticed and acknowledged.
- Entertainment : We seek entertainment to make those first few moments more interesting. We’re drawn to the endless stream of captivating content online.
Then, there are the “avoidance motives,” which are about escaping or delaying facing the realities of the day:
- Boredom : We avoid facing the day’s perceived boredom by getting lost in our phones.
- Avoiding Responsibility : We delay confronting our responsibilities by immersing ourselves in our phones.
- Struggle and Frustration Avoidance: When we’re dealing with challenges, we turn to our phones to avoid confronting them immediately.
Now, imagine a better way to begin your day – a way that centers you, aligns you with God’s will, and prepares you to face whatever comes your way. Picture yourself waking up with the intention of being filled with the Holy Spirit, seeking God’s guidance, and finding satisfaction in His presence.
“O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” – Psalm 5:3
So, how do we transition to this better way? It requires intentionality and planning. Start by seeking God’s steadfast love in the morning. Cry out to Him, acknowledging your need and your desire to align your heart with His. Open your Bible and meditate on His promises. Ask Him to satisfy you with His love and to guide your steps throughout the day.
Psalm 90:14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 46:5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Psalm 143:8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Remember, this change won’t happen overnight. It takes conscious decisions and a commitment to start your day in a way that sets the tone for your interactions, decisions, and attitudes.
So, before you go to bed tonight, set a plan. Break free from the grip of phone addiction and the habits of avoidance. Instead, wake up, turn to God’s Word, spend time in prayer, and allow His presence to shape your day. Make the choice to feed your soul with God’s truth and love, and experience the transformative power of beginning your day with Him.
May your mornings be filled with purpose, peace, and a deeper connection to God.
Have a blessed day
Deb
Joyful-Echoes 