Digital Detox, Faith, And The Duty To Care

Seven hours on screens, and somehow we still feel starved for connection. We take a hard look at the cost of constant scrolling and map out a simple, sustainable detox that trades distraction for real presence. No sweeping pledges, no moralizing—just small, daily choices that rebuild attention, warmth, and trust at home and in our communities.

We start with the data and move quickly to the heart: what screens steal from marriages, friendships, and parenting. Then we get practical. Think three to five minutes a day, phone out of reach, paired with a concrete act—reading a Psalm, sharing one real question at dinner, taking a short walk, or calling someone who’s lonely. Like any good training plan, consistency beats intensity; habits compound. Along the way, we ground the practice in Scripture: 1 Peter 3 on mutual honor in marriage, Revelation 14 on endurance and fidelity, Psalm 142 on honest prayer when we feel low, and Proverbs 30 on the humility that steadies us. Faith shapes the why so the how actually sticks.

Courage and service take center stage through the story of First Lieutenant Cecil Hamilton Bolton, whose leadership under fire reminds us that comfort is not the goal—love is. We also revisit President Herbert Hoover’s 1931 Christmas message, delivered during crushing unemployment, to recover a distinctly local ethic of care: families, churches, schools, and neighbors lifting one another through unselfish service. That same spirit can live in our homes today when we guard eye contact, protect mealtimes, and give our best attention to the people right in front of us.

If you’re ready to swap a few minutes of scrolling for richer conversation, prayer, and service, this one’s for you. Listen, try the five-minute detox window, and tell us what you replaced it with. If the episode helps, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—your note might be the nudge someone else needs.

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