Cellphones and the Grandeur of God
I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. (Psalm 145:5 NKJV)
Recently, my cellphone service shut down for several hours while I was out on errands.
Until I could get home to my computer wi-fi, I was paralyzed. No phone calls to alert a friend about my arrival time at her office. No mapping to find an address. No text messages or emails. No internet apps to do, well, whatever it was I wanted to do—like find out store hours or check the weather.
I was hopelessly disconnected from the world.
Like millions of other Americans, I’m completely devoted to my micro sized computer/phone. I love all the wonderful ways it helps me throughout the day—taking photos, deciding on how to dress for the day, counting my calories, getting reminders for appointments, playing word games, sharing fun moments with friends, and best of all, reading the Bible in whatever version I wish!
The downside is that it’s also a big addiction—and it creates attention clutter.
My friend Angie Hyche is a professional organizer who reported on the sad state of cellphone usage in our culture. “Smartphone addiction is so prevalent that it’s been given a name,” Angie said. “Nomophobia is the fear of being away from one’s mobile phone…our smartphones have become both our best friend and our greatest enemy.”
She cited staggering statistics on daily usage of cellphones by average users (more than four hours), clicks/taps/swipes (more than 2,600 daily), and more than half of all users checking their phones while driving.
“At the end of our lives, we may say, ‘I wish I had spent more time with my family and friends,’” Angie concluded. “I don’t think anyone will ever say, ‘I wish I had spent more time on my smartphone.’”*
While cellphones are wonderful tools for getting us through our days more efficiently, their services come with a price beyond the monthly rates. They’re one of the top media contributing to our information overload. They rob us of personal connection time with others, even when we’re talking in person. They distract us while driving, making traffic more hazardous.
They also cost us time when our focus should be on God.
I’m not just talking about checking for phone messages during church (guilty as charged) but more about how the cellphone has shifted our viewpoint. When we’re engrossed in what’s happening on that tiny little screen, we can’t focus on the incredible world around us and the God who created everything. Our perspective becomes self-focused, not God-focused.
How can we address our addiction? Admit we have a problem. Keep our phones off our dining tables and bedside stands. Limit our driving usage and social media time.
But the biggest and happiest way to resist our dependence is to lift our eyes to the lovely gifts God places in front of us every day.
Admire His handiwork in a springtime wildflower or frosty snowflakes. Rejoice in the sweet smile of an aging saint and in the laughter of children in the park. Gaze with wonder at towering trees, craggy mountainsides, the shifting waves at the beach. Pause to watch birds in flight, deer grazing, or a brightly striped fish in an aquarium. Look for the stars.
There are so many miracles around us if we pay attention to them. Meditate on God’s generosity. Stand beside Him and imagine Him saying, “Look at this! Isn’t it marvelous? I made it! It’s My gift of joy to you today.”
Our God is an awesome God. His genius and artistry are magnificent. As you revel in the beauty of His grandeur, pocket your cellphone. You won’t miss it.
Holy Father, give me glimpses of Your glory where you’ve planted me—let me find peace in seeing the loveliness You have created around me. Help me to buck the trend of cellphone addiction and keep my eyes on you. Open my heart to the needs of others, too, and help them to see the love and joy You have waiting for them. In Jesus’ name, with a grateful heart, Amen.
Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom.
© Copyright 2026 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Jesus #cellphoneaddiction #nomophobia #cellphoneusage #mobilephoneuse #cellphonestatistics
*From Angie Hyche’s newspaper article, “Phone Addiction: A Hard Habit to Break.” Check out her website at https://angiehyche.com
