Living Out Faith Over Fear

“Faith over fear.” It’s a phrase we hear everywhere—on social media, printed on T-shirts, and written in encouraging texts from friends. But the truth is, faith over fear is far more than a catchy saying. It’s a daily decision, a posture of the heart, and a surrender of control.

To truly live with faith over fear means choosing to trust God even when we don’t understand the outcome. It means believing that whether things unfold the way we hope or not, God is still working. It means trusting that He will carry us, sustain us, guide us, and ultimately lead us where we need to be—even when that path looks different from the one we imagined. Faith over fear requires us to release our grip on our own plans and trust the bigger plan that God is unfolding.

We Don’t Have It All Together

Lets be honest, none of us have life perfectly figured out, including our team here at Rock Solid Families. Behind the scenes, we are walking through many of the same struggles that families in our community face every day. Some of our team members are navigating incredibly difficult diagnoses, while others are wrestling with anxiety, feelings of guilt, questions about purpose, or simply the weight of life’s uncertainties.

We don’t have all the answers. We don’t have perfectly polished lives. But we do know where to turn and we know the One who does have the answers.

Time and time again, we are reminded that our strength does not come from having everything together. Our strength comes from putting our faith in God—especially when life feels uncertain or overwhelming.

Why Do We Still Fear?

Scripture tells us over 300 times to “fear not” or “do not be afraid.” If God repeats something that often, it’s probably important. After all, I’m sure He knows how easily fear can creep into our minds and hearts.

Fear often shows up in subtle ways:

• Fear of the unknown

• Fear of not measuring up

• Fear of what others might think

• Fear of failure

• Fear of losing control

When these thoughts start to spiral, it’s easy to turn to the voices of the world for reassurance. But the Bible invites us to do something different—it invites us to turn to God’s Word first. Instead of asking the world what it thinks about our situation, we can ask: What does God say about this? His Word reminds us that we are not alone, that our identity is secure in Him, and that His plans are greater than our fears.

Faith Lived Out in Scripture

The Bible is filled with powerful examples of people choosing faith over fear. Imediately. my mind goes to the book of Daniel. First, I think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego standing before the fiery furnace. They knew the consequences of refusing to bow to the king’s command, yet they boldly declared their trust in God. Their faith was not dependent on a guaranteed outcome. They said that EVEN IF God did not rescue them, they would still remain faithful. (Read Daniel 8:3- 25 here) Or consider the well known story of Daniel in the lion’s den. Facing certain danger, Daniel did not abandon his faith. He continued to pray and trust God, even when the circumstances were terrifying. These stories remind us that faith doesn’t mean the absence of hardship. Instead, it means trusting God in the middle of it.

A Daily Pursuit of Faith

Faith over fear is not a one-time decision—it’s a daily pursuit. Every day we have the opportunity to renew our trust in Christ. To lay down our worries. To surrender our fears. To remember that our hope cannot rest in ourselves, our spouses, our friends, or even our circumstances - but in Jesus Christ. When we place our full trust in Him, we begin to experience a deeper peace—not because life becomes perfect, but because we know the One who is in control.

Choosing Faith Today

Fear will always try to find its way into our lives. But faith gives us the courage to keep moving forward.

When the unknown feels overwhelming… choose faith.
When you feel like you don’t have it all together… choose faith.
When you’re worried about what others might think… choose faith.

Because faith reminds us of a powerful truth: God is already ahead of us. He is guiding our steps, sustaining our hearts, and working all things together for His purpose. And that is a promise we can trust.

Jenna Helton
Rock Solid Families, Marketing & Administrative Admin

Lets Talk About Love

I know I’m showing my age here but one of my favorite singers of all time is Celine Dion. She could belt a ballad like no other. In 1997 she released a song called “Let’s Talk About Love”. Love is one of the most powerful words in the English language and yet at the same time one of the most overused and misunderstood too. We often use the same word to describe how we feel about our dog, pizza, and our spouse. Sometimes in that order. While love is universal, not all love is the same. Ancient Greek culture recognized the complexity and importance of this word and gave us several distinct words for love, each describing a different expression. There is more than what we’re going to talk about today, but I want to focus on four main ones. I believe having a better understanding of these different forms of love can deepen our relationships, strengthen our communities, and ultimately point us toward the kind of love the world desperately needs most: agape love.

Eros: Romantic Love
Eros is the kind of love most often celebrated in movies, songs, and novels. You know the stuff you don’t want anyone to see you watching or reading.  It’s often romantic, passionate, and emotionally charged. This love draws people in through attraction and desire, but it is also fragile and temporary. Because it is rooted in feelings, it can be like riding a bad rollercoaster with highs, lows, and twists based on circumstances, stress, or unmet expectations. (I’m sorry if that offends rollercoaster fanatics but I’m not a fan).  When eros alone is the foundation of a relationship, it will struggle when life gets hard or the feelings fade. How many of us have memories of a “true love” that didn’t last? I know I do.

Philia: Friendship Love
Philia describes the deep affection shared between friends. I’m sure you’ve heard Philadelphia called the “city of brotherly love”. That’s where the city’s name comes from.  It is marked by loyalty, mutual respect, shared experiences, and trust. This is the love that shows up, listens, laughs, and walks alongside us through life. Philia is essential for healthy friendships and thriving communities. It reminds us that love is not just something we feel; it is something we practice through presence and commitment. I am thankful for the abundant friendships in my life who have shown up time and time again. 

Storge: Familial Love
Storge is the natural bond found within most families. It is often quiet and steady, built through years of doing life together, but it is a love that still requires intentionality and nurturing. I use the words “most families” because there are some who will read this and feel like they’ve never experienced storge. I’m sorry if that’s your story, but God has provided another way besides blood. I am so thankful for the storge love I have with my family, my husband’s family, and my church family.  They have been a HUGE source of support and encouragement for me over the years. Families are strongest when this love is protected with patience, forgiveness, and authenticity.

Agape: Unconditional, Sacrificial Love
The highest and most powerful form of love is Agape Love. Agape is unconditional, sacrificial, and selfless. It is not based on feelings, performance, or worthiness. Instead, agape is a conscious decision to love without expecting anything in return. It is the love that forgives when it would be easier to walk away, serves when no one is watching, and stays when circumstances are difficult. This love is not dependent on how someone treats us; it is anchored in a decision to value another person above ourselves. 

As a Christian, I believe agape love is most clearly revealed through God’s love for all of us. Scripture reminds us that “God is love,” and that His love is demonstrated not through perfection, but through unconditional sacrifice. The greatest example of agape love was Jesus Christ giving up his life for us. This kind of love moves toward brokenness, not away from it. It heals, restores, and can completely transform our lives. 

When we begin to understand and practice agape love, something remarkable happens. Our relationships deepen. Our homes grow stronger. Our communities become more compassionate. And slowly, the world begins to look a little more like it was always meant to be. I’ve personally experienced this agape love more times than I can count, especially over the past six months. People have gone above and beyond for our family during a time when we could give nothing back. I’m so thankful for a God who loved me unconditionally and sacrificially, and my goal is to love others with that same agape love as long as I have breath. In a world searching for meaning and connection, agape love stands as a powerful reminder to us all. Love is not just something we FEEL. It is something we DECIDE to do. 

Linda Hutchinson is the Executive Director of Rock Solid Families, a faith-based coaching organization with offices in St. Leon and Lawrenceburg, IN. 

Rearview Mirrors and Windshields: How We Enter a New Year

As we begin 2026, there’s been a friendly debate in our house about how best to approach a new year.

For the past several years, I’ve chosen a “Word of the Year”. It’s usually one word to help set my focus, vision, and direction for the months ahead. I think of it as my front windshield, the lens through which I look at the road ahead. This word usually reflects a goal or area I feel compelled to grow in.

After much prayer and reflection, my word for 2025 was Listen. At the time, I knew I needed to become a better listener to my family, friends, and clients. What I didn’t know was just how deeply the Lord would use that word in my life.

My husband, Merrill, takes a different approach. Instead of choosing a word at the beginning of the year, he prefers to look back once the year is over. Reflection helps him learn, grow, and set future goals. He believes wisdom comes from evaluating where you’ve been before deciding where you’re going.

After years of this discussion, we’ve come to realize there’s really no debate at all. Both perspectives matter. But there’s a reason the rearview mirror in your car is much smaller than the front windshield.

Looking back can be valuable, but we can’t live there.

As you reflect on 2025, be careful not to get stuck in the past. You can’t move forward if you’re constantly looking back with regret. Don’t dwell on mistakes or “if only” moments. Release past hurts. Don’t allow disappointment to trap you in fear. It’s healthy to acknowledge the past, but it’s not healthy to relive it or remain stuck in it.

In May of 2025, I sensed the Lord nudging me to step down from several outside commitments. I felt called to be more flexible and available, though I didn’t fully understand why. My father’s health was declining. Our son and daughter-in-law were preparing to welcome their fourth child. I wasn’t sure what was coming, but I was trying my best to Listen.

On June 22, 2025, my dad fell and broke his hip. After surgery and severe pain, he spent months moving through rehabilitation centers, working to regain strength. In that moment, I could see more clearly why I had been prompted to slow down, so I could be more available to help my dad.

Then, just a month later, on July 23, 2025, my husband, Merrill, went to the hospital feeling “off.” After ten days in the hospital and two brain surgeries later, he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma. Talk about a gut punch for him, our family, and Rock Solid Families.

Despite the unimaginable challenges of 2025, if you ask Merrill to sum up the year, his word would be Gratitude. He is grateful for God’s provision, protection, and presence in his life. Merrill has been given a rare opportunity to evaluate his life and this past year through the lens of thankfulness rather than regret or resentment.

How about you? As you glance in the rearview mirror and reflect on the year behind you, keep your eyes fixed on the larger windshield ahead. Pause long enough to learn, but not so long that you get stuck and stop moving forward. Ask yourself these important questions:

1. What lessons from last year can guide me in the year ahead?

2. What kind of person do I want to become?

3. What relationships around me do I need to get rid of or strengthen to support that growth?

Our prayer for you as we begin this new year is that you take time to reflect and learn from the past but also have hope for the road ahead. 

May we learn from where we’ve been but move forward with intention, faith, and gratitude. 

Linda Hutchinson is the Executive Director of Rock Solid Families, a faith based coaching organization with two locations: St. Leon and Lawrenceburg

The True Narrative

This season, I have been invited into countless stories—testimonies of real people, walking through real pain, longing for relief, clarity, answers, or change. Some hold tightly to a flicker of hope. Others have lived without it for so long that hope feels like an impossibility, a foreign language, something meant for someone else. When we are surrounded by chaos, it becomes nearly impossible to see a bigger picture—to recognize that our personal story is woven into a much grander narrative. In those dark moments, doubt creeps in, whispering, “What good could ever come from this?” The chapters we are living today may feel so dark, so overwhelming, that we begin to assume every future page will read the same.

Yet Psalm 139 reminds us: “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb… Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book.”

How do we hold onto that truth when our present-day story feels so broken? There were many seasons in my life when I longed for a rewrite—a clean slate, a chance to start again. I believed a do-over would somehow make everything right. But with time, I began to understand: even if I could rewrite my circumstances, it wouldn’t have rewritten me. Changing circumstances does not change a person.

Somewhere along the way, subtle lies slipped into my narrative—quietly, gradually—until they shaped my thoughts, emotions, and choices. I forgot that my story was always part of God’s story.

A story of rescue.

A story of forgiveness.

A story where wounds, fear, running, and loss do not get the final word.

When I look back now, I see clearly how the enemy tried to hijack my story and write an ending marked by defeat. But that was never God’s plan. Instead, He stepped into the broken chapters and offered me brand-new ones—pages of healing, growth, and redemption that I could never have penned on my own.

God is always authoring a bigger story of redemption than we can comprehend. C.S. Lewis writes, “Mere improvement is not redemption.” God wants more for us than a sprinkling of self-help. When we surrender to Him, we invite Him to move in our lives in ways we simply cannot orchestrate ourselves. And nothing—absolutely nothing—is too broken for Him to restore. This is the true narrative of Christmas.

Let Him write your story.

Let Him transform false narratives.

Let Him have the last word.

Discovering Your God-Given Gifts This Christmas Season

Hi, I’m Andy Dalton, one of the Life Coaches at Rock Solid Families. Having worked with young adults—especially young men—for the past 12 years, I’ve spent countless hours talking about calling, purpose, and the gifts God has placed in each of us. With Christmas approaching—a season of giving—I wanted to reflect on the way God gifts us not just with talents, but with mission.

What Are Our Giftings For?
When most people talk about giftings, they’re referring to abilities God has woven into their lives—public speaking, artistic skill, musical talent, athletic ability, compassion for others, and so on. It’s common for young adults to assume that these talents should directly guide their career path. Maybe you love helping people, so you pursue nursing. Or maybe you’re athletic and want to coach.
Nothing wrong with that! I wholeheartedly believe God delights when we use what He’s given us.

But Christmas reminds us that God’s gifts are always meant for His mission, not simply our success.
Which leads me to a phrase that has challenged me deeply…

“God Doesn’t Call the Equipped—He Equips the Called”
You won’t find these exact words in Scripture, but you’ll certainly see them lived out.

Moses (Exodus 4), the disciples (Matthew 4), and the early church (1 Corinthians 1) remind us that God often chooses those who feel unprepared for the mission He gives them. Christmas itself is the ultimate example—God sent His Son in the most unexpected form: a baby in a manger.
So what does this phrase really mean?

Is it telling us to ignore our talents and leap into the unknown?
Not exactly.

A Gift Given Becomes a Gift Offered
Let me introduce you to Beth.

Beth is gifted in art, but she doesn’t love large groups. Teaching sounds overwhelming. Yet she senses God leading her into an art classroom. Why? Because her gentle nature and compassion match what her students desperately need. Her artistic gift becomes a doorway to mission. God uses what she already has—and then equips her further as she steps forward in faith.

Now, meet Robert.
He works in business and is great at it. His ability to connect with people led him to a sales career. But over time, he feels God tugging him somewhere quieter—toward country life, homeschooling, and building community. Though it stretches him in new ways, the calling becomes a mission field for his family. God isn’t wasting his gifts—He’s redirecting them for a new purpose.

My Story
This Christmas, I find myself resonating with both Beth and Robert. For years, I thought I was settled into a career that fit my natural abilities perfectly. Yet slowly, God began stirring my heart toward something different—a call that felt bigger than my confidence. As my family and I prayed, the phrase kept returning:
“God doesn’t call the equipped—He equips the called.” So here I am—stepping out of my comfort zone and into a new mission with Rock Solid Families, trusting that Jesus will guide me just as He guided those He has called throughout history.

Christmas: A Season of Calling
At Christmas, we celebrate the greatest gift of all—Jesus. But we also remember that His coming was a call to mission. The shepherds left their fields. The wise men left their country. Mary and Joseph followed God’s voice, even when it made no earthly sense. Their giftings weren’t the point, their obedience was.

And as they obeyed, God equipped them. The same is true for you and me.

So, What About You? This isn’t an article designed to answer where God is calling you. Instead, I hope it encourages a conversation—maybe around the dinner table this Christmas, or in quiet moments with the Lord.

Ask Him:

• Where are You leading me?

• How have You gifted me for Your mission?

• What step of faith are You inviting me to take?

• with trusted believers who know you well. Seek wise counsel.

Talk with trusted believers who know you well. Seek wise counsel. And remember—your story is unique. God rarely writes the same script twice.

The Gift of Trust
I don’t have all the answers—far from it. But here’s what I’ve learned:

• Jesus has never led me astray.

• When He calls, He provides.

• His mission always calls us to trust - not just our abilities, but His power.

This Christmas, as we celebrate God’s greatest gift, may we remember that we are also gifted for His mission. Sometimes that mission aligns perfectly with our talents; other times, God grows us into new territory. Either way, He equips us for the journey. May you follow Him boldly, trust Him deeply, and enjoy the ride.

Merry Christmas, God bless, and walk in His calling!

Bless This Mess: Turning Chores Into Worship

For the past few months, I have been in what I call my “homemaker” era – wanting to constantly clean out closets & drawers, trying new recipes, being intentional with family time, making sure all people and all of the things are taken care of, trying to keep up on laundry, etc. The other day, while aimlessly scrolling on Instagram, I saw a quote that said, “Homemaking without God becomes productivity. Homemaking with God becomes worship,” and it hit me like a brick wall. I asked myself…. was I doing all this stuff around the house to provide peace in my home, and to serve my family, or was I striving to earn a badge of busyness, or trying to achieve perfection? I think we all know the answer to this one.

Homemaking without God leads us to be motivated by productivity, perfection, and ultimately control over every aspect of our home. Have you ever cleaned the entire house just to get frustrated that 2 hours later, everyone returns home from work and school to simply live there? You think, “The AUDACITY these people have to use more dishes, have more dirty laundry, use the bathroom, and track dirt in from the back yard. (insert eye roll)” All of these frustrated feelings are rooted in perfectionism and people pleasing. When we look at it through this lens, we are measuring our worth and success by how tidy our house is or how many homemade meals we made this week. This is simply exhausting.

But what if we shifted our mindset to include God in our homemaking? This brings a sense of presence, purpose, and peace to our lives and our home. We become motivated to serve our family, feeling thankful that our kids have clean clothes, or grateful that we can cook a hot meal to enjoy with those around our table. This not only brings HIS presence and peace into the seemingly mundane tasks, but this mindset also helps us recognize part of our purpose through Christ, and that is to help serve others, which includes our families.

Instead of our home becoming a place of perfection, it turns into a place of refuge and relaxation. Instead of feeling stressed, we start to feel blessed. We shift from “I have a ton of laundry to do before I can even think about what to cook for dinner” to folding laundry with gratitude, cooking with love, and cleaning as an act of service to those under the same roof.

Now I know what you’re thinking – this is way easier said than done. You’re not alone in that feeling. It is HARD to shift your mindset when it comes to homemaking, but I want to offer a practical way to help you make those first steps:

Chore Prayers. Invite God into the small, everyday tasks. Pray and ask for God to be with you, to guide you, or to open your eyes to see Him in the everyday.

Some examples:

• “Lord, thank you for this food which provides nourishment to my family. Please help me prepare today’s meals with joy and thanksgiving.”

• “Lord, thank you for this home. As I go about the day preparing a space of relaxation and refuge for my family, please fill our home with your peace.”

• “Lord, thank you for my family. Use my hands to serve them well today.”

Whereas I wish I could say there was some magical cleaning schedule or meal calendar that if we followed it, life would be easier… I don’t think there is. I've come to realize that it's not about what we do in our day-to-day, but rather WHY we do it and how. With God, homemaking can become worship.

The Mental Health Benefits of Thankfulness and Gratitude

We live in an ever-changing world that moves quickly—constantly pulling our attention

to what we don’t have, what we need to achieve, or what isn’t going right. Before we

know it, the world, current events, and life circumstances, for example, can become

more than what is happening around us and can impact us deeply by infiltrating our

minds and hearts. We can quickly feel weighed down by stress, comparison, and

negativity.

But there’s a simple, powerful practice that can shift our perspective and improve our

well-being: gratitude. Paul writes in Philippians 4: 4 - 7, “ Rejoice in the Lord always. I

will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not

be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with

thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends

all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Here, Paul

encourages us that the posture of thanksgiving and gratitude puts us in a position to

receive God’s peace, and this peace protects our hearts and minds.

Gratitude and the Brain

When we practice thankfulness, our brains actually change. Research shows that

expressing gratitude activates regions of the brain associated with dopamine and

serotonin—those “feel-good” chemicals that lift our mood. Over time, gratitude can help

rewire the brain to focus more on positive experiences and less on negative ones.

Also, when we are overwhelmed, there’s a part of our brain called the ‘amygdala’ that

can be overly triggered, impacting its function. The amygdala is a vital part of the brain

that plays a critical role in processing emotions, regulating anxiety, and contributing to

good decision-making. It’s also notorious for false alarms. When the amygdala is

triggered by stress, for example, it impacts our thinking and our ability to respond

rationally. Paul is right! When we slow down, and bring our concerns to God, we can

actually stabilize our amygdala’s functioning, allowing peace to override our distractions

and worries.

Living in the Present

Gratitude acts like an antidote to stress. When we pause to recognize what’s good in

our lives—even small things like a kind word, a warm cup of coffee, or a moment of

laughter—it helps calm the nervous system. Instead of dwelling on worry or fear,

gratitude brings us back to the present moment and reminds us of what is stable, safe,

and hopeful. We become grounded in the present and not in the regrets of the past or

the goals or ‘what ifs’ of the future.

Strengthening Relationships

Expressing thankfulness doesn’t just boost our own mental health—it strengthens our

connections with others. Whether it’s a heartfelt “thank you” to a friend, or writing down

what you appreciate about your spouse or coworker, gratitude builds trust, warmth, and

a sense of belonging. Stronger relationships are a cornerstone of mental well-being.

A Simple Practice

Gratitude doesn’t require hours of your time or special tools. Here are a few simple

ways to begin:

● Keep a gratitude journal. Each day, jot down three things you’re thankful for.

Writing down three things we’re thankful for each day can retrain our brains to

notice what’s going well, instead of only what’s missing

● Say it out loud. Express thanks to someone in your life today.

● Pause in the moment and pray. When something small brings you joy, take a

few moments to reflect and pray.

Thankfulness doesn’t erase life’s challenges, but it gives us a healthier lens to face

them. By choosing gratitude, we cultivate resilience, peace, and joy—even in difficult

seasons.

Gratitude is more than a practice—it’s a mindset that can open the door to real and

lasting peace in your life.

Hi I'm Kimm! An Introduction To Rock Solid Families Newest Staff Member.

Hello! My name is Kimm Hackworth, and I’m grateful for the chance to share a little bit about myself and my family with you.

I’m married with three children all in their early 20s. Matt, my husband, and I met in

2009 – we met online (back when E Harmony was a thing!). He will never let me forget that I called him by the wrong name when we were first chatting (“It’s so nice to hear from you again Mike!” (oops!) ). I knew I found a gracious man when he took it in stride and called me ‘Sally’ in his reply.

We both had been single for 6 years raising young children as single parents. We knew very quickly that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together and married in January 2010. At that time, our kids were aged 7, 8, and 8. Now they are 22, 23, and 24. The blended family road has had many twists and turns. We’ve failed, survived and thrived at various points along the way. I trust it will all be used to encourage others who walk a similar road.

Today, Matt and I enjoy life in a new season of parenting. Empty nesting is beginning, and my daughter, Mary, works in radiology and will marry in September 2026 to her high school sweetheart. His children, Jake and Morgan, work full-time as well. Matt is an avid outdoorsman and a retired Army Ranger who has worked in IT for 20+ years. Together, we like to travel and have recently acquired a new love for the West and the mountains. We stay as active as possible – if you don’t use it you’ll lose it!

We have also tried to never stand in the way of whatever God may be doing in each other’s life. He has stood by me through various calls to serve with Back2Back Ministries, leading ministries in a church setting and now Rock Solid Families.

Thanks for letting me introduce myself — I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you, too!

Is Your Phone Controlling You?

In a world where our phones seem glued to our hands, it’s worth asking: Is your phone controlling you, or are you controlling your phone?

As Christians, we’re called to live with intentionality, wisdom, and self-control — but our devices can subtly become idols that steal our time, attention, and even our peace. I honestly have found myself lately making my phone an idol; receiving more of my attention than my own family. However, if you are still in denial about this then I challenge you to ask yourself these three questions:

• Do you check your phone first thing in the morning — before praying or thanking God for a new day?

• Is it hard to put your phone down during meals, conversations, or even church?

• Do you feel anxious or restless when you're without your phone?

• Does screen time leave you feeling drained, not refreshed?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then I would really question yourself “who is in control? Me or my phone?

One of the best things I could do is to make my smartphone equivalent to a flip phone. What I mean by that is removing all of the extra apps. This will look different for each individual. For example, you might find yourself needing to remove ESPN, games, Youtube TV, etc. For me, I needed to remove all of the different shopping apps: (Kroger, Sams, Costco, Thrive Market, Amazon, Target, etc.). In my personal reflection of how I use my phone, I quickly realized that something that once was a strength of mine has turned into an unhealthy trait. What I mean by that, is I have always loved being prepared, organized, and constantly thinking ahead. (One might quickly realize the root of this is control; this is a topic for another time). However, I used to be able to save my grocery list management for evenings when my daughter was fast asleep. However, it turned into constant scrolling through good bargains, constantly looking for healthier/better things, etc. Did I need all of this? No. From my quick personal assessment I realized that dumbing down my phone for me, looked like doing all of my grocery orders on my computer rather than my phone. Yes, this can be inconvenient at times as we are all used to solving problems such as these, in the matter of seconds by opening the app on our phone and selecting “check out”. Now, I allocate time for myself to really assess if this is needed. Most times it is not. 

Reclaiming Control Here’s how to break free and use your phone more intentionally:

• Start Your Day with God, Not Your Phone: Begin your morning with prayer, scripture, or quiet reflection before you check your notifications. For me, I am challenging myself to not have my phone on my nightstand. 

• Set Time Limits: Many phones have built-in screen time trackers — use them to create healthy boundaries. Challenge everyone in your house to have less than 3 hours of screentime.

• Turn Off Non-Essential Notifications: This cuts down on interruptions and helps you stay present.

• Schedule Tech-Free Time: Dedicate parts of your day or week to be completely phone-free — like during meals, family time, or personal devotion.

• Ask God for Help: Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Pray for wisdom and strength to resist the pull of your phone.

Philippians 4:8 “​​Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” This verse reminds us to think about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Let’s use our devices in ways that reflect those values.

Lastly, The Danger of Distraction Phones are powerful tools, but they can also be powerful distractions. Social media, endless notifications, and constant scrolling pull us away from what matters most — time with God, our families, and meaningful relationships. Ephesians 5:15-16 reminds us, "Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." How often do we lose precious moments to mindless browsing? 

Where can you take a baby step today to gain control over your phone?

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