I loved the book Reconnected by Carlos Whittaker!
One day I was listening to a podcast that had been shared by a friend (Laura Baker). The guest on the podcast that day was a man named Carlos Whittaker. He did an experiment in which he removed all technology and screens from his life for seven weeks. The results were astonishing. He had his brain scanned before the experiment and after. Let’s just say his brain, his mentality, and his life were improved exponentially.
As I was listening to the podcast on my smart phone, I immediately stopped and ordered the paperback version of his book. If I wanted to lessen my use of screens too, then I needed to start right then. In fact, the paperback version was just a little cheaper than the e-book. Hats off to you, Carlos!
The book was engaging and enlightening. Although I have not given up technology or screens, I have definitely put in the effort to lessen my use of them. I switched to mostly reading print books instead of e-books, especially at night. I stopped turning on the television out of boredom. I now only watch television with intent, instead of channel surfing. I switched to dark mode on all my screens (supposed to be better for your eyes and brain). I stopped watching doomsday/political videos. This has all been terrific for my mental health and for time management. Technology has its purposes, but it’s also bad for our health, so we must watch our use of it.
After reading this book, I gracefully challenged Laura to try a video fast for one week, meaning: no more end times videos, or cute little cat videos, or time-sucking videos from our lovely friend Fake book. She agreed whole-heartedly and felt the Lord had been urging her to do this. My suggestion was just more of a verification that that was what He wanted her to do. Laura did complete her video fast. I asked her to write about it, and I’m sharing it with you, my friends.
It’s not often we can do something so simple that can profoundly change our lives, but we can do this. Addiction of any kind is detrimental to our well-being, but phone addiction has by far been the most recent ruinous invention of our society. Not because they exist, but because we have no self-control. My challenge to you: Read Laura’s testimony and then cut back on your own screen time with deliberation. You will be amazed at how much more time you have for other things you enjoy.
Laura’s Video-fast Testimony:
VIDEO FAST by Laura Baker, author and teacher of the Word
I was recently challenged to give up watching videos for a week. I took the challenge since it confirmed a prompting I had been feeling from the Lord as well. I was surprised at how much more time I had to read my Bible or accomplish things on my ‘to-do’ list. I knew it would improve, but it was more than I expected.
On the 5th day, I decided to spend a little time ‘soaking my soul’. This is a practice which involves laying down and listening to scripture or soft music while holding your focus on Jesus to receive healing to wounds in your soul. I was looking for a specific soak on my old phone, and ran across the teaching (which accompanied the soak), so I listened to it while doing chores. It was a fantastic refresher! Afterward, I laid on the couch to do the soak.
As soon as it finished, a ton of revelation started pouring forth. Revelation of how dry I had become – how much I had just been going through the motions. I also realized I had been going to videos to see what the future held. What was I thinking?? I know better! I even teach this to others!
The Lord revealed to me years ago that the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is the internet. It has both good and evil, and we use it to learn with our physical mind. But the Tree of Life is the Word, and it brings life to our spirit, which is far greater. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, and He will guide us into all truth (John 16:13).
But here I was neck deep in it myself, thinking I was fine because the video content wasn’t “news” type stuff. It was “biblical” type stuff. But I understood in that moment these videos will never prepare me for what is coming. I realized I have been in deception and it was like the band-aid got ripped off all at once. I started crying and repenting. I could hear the Lord speak to me. He said, “He sent forth His Word and healed me” and I realized this was all his doing. He was delivering me.
I realized I had neglected intimate time with Him for these stupid videos and “busy-work” like Martha (Luke 10:40), allowing myself to dry up and dry out. Oh, what deception! I had starved myself of the Light of Life. I had been operating in my own strength. I had been going to the “false light” to receive my direction – the internet. I realized I had not spent quality time with the Lord in a long time, and I was spiritually drying out without even recognizing it. I realized I could do nothing without Him and that HE is the Tree of Life! I needed to spend time holding my focus on Him, His beauty, His splendor, His peace, His grace, His mercy, His majesty, and His goodness. It all came in like a flood and the tears flowed down my face as I admitted the truth to myself. He was delivering me. I had found my first love again.
The Lord repeatedly warns us about deception. Most Christians believe they are not deceived, but the very nature of deception is that you don’t realize it. I would encourage you this day to take the challenge, pray an honest prayer asking Him to help you, and spend intentional time with Him. I promise you won’t regret it.
You can find Laura and her books on her website: