187. Why We Got Rid Of Our Smartphones with Elisha and Katie Voetberg

Welcome to episode #187! This week, Matt invites his wife Louise to replace Braden as co-host. They talk to Elisha and Katie from Now That We're A Family on how their decision to go smart-phone free affected sexual temptation, family time, and more.

Be aware of potential open doors
Elisha knew that any potential porn consumption in his life would come through his phone. Apart from sexual temptation, the work that can be done on the phone is distracting from family time as well, so he decided to make the jump to going smartphone-free.

Katie held onto her smartphone for longer than Elisha did and she realized her inclination to be distracted by her phone. Using self-discipline was good to a point, but she realized that she only has so much self-control and would rather get a flip phone to eliminate the tension altogether.

You can make things work without a smartphone
A large number of apps have desktop versions, so you can still get by in life just fine by using your desktop for things. It's easy to say that we need our smartphones for various reasons, but it's important to consider the cost of having one versus not having one. Looking at the reasons we can't go without it while welcoming sexual sin into our lives through the same device is not counting the true cost of having the phone.

By looking at what you will gain instead of what you will lose will change your perspective on being willing to turn in your device. Going without a smartphone will likely be hard, but the payoff is immense.

Create cravings for life

The amount of time spent on our phones, on porn, and in shame because of these addictions could otherwise be spent being creative, learning, or adventuring. You can create cravings for your life and for your kids by actually doing things that are fun, productive, relational, and creative. When we bury our heads into our devices and/or pornography, we're not craving anything else to the same degree. Eliminating screen time, open doors to sexual sin, and the addictive nature of devices will help you experience life in a new way and you'll start to come alive.

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Podcast Hosts

BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He has been married for 14 years to his wife Kristen, and they live in Edmonton, Alberta. He is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

MATT CLINE

Matt and his wife Louise raise their little guys, David and Oliver, in Edmonton, Alberta. He is honoured to do what he can to tackle the epidemic of pornography and sexual perversion in every way possible. Seeing lives and marriages get free and experience the love of God in profound ways is what drives him every day. He leads Restored Ministries, is a certified speaker and coach for the John Maxwell Team, and formerly played hockey in the WHL and for Hockey Canada. You can visit www.restoredministries.ca.