There is an interesting modern day term and condition called Fomo, which by definition is “the fear of missing out”. Fomo causes anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere and is often created or increased by social media. The other side of Fomo is that we can watch and listen to those around us and fear that the great life they seem to be having in their relationships, the holidays they take, their work, family life or whatever else is displayed on social media or talked about in your presence will never happen for or to you.
This “fear of missing out” is designed to drive and push us, and if we are not careful it will cause us to take our eyes off our own dreams and the plans God has specifically for us to instead focus on having what someone else has got.
When we start to do that we step into a dangerous place as the “fear of missing out” often encourages us to settle for less than what is God’s best for us. People can very easily choose to settle for a spouse or partner who doesn’t actually help them to be all that God created them to be – they don’t bring out the best in them, but the worst. They can settle for the job that doesn’t fulfil them because they are too busy looking at what everyone has or is doing and so they settle for short-term gains instead of having a long-term view.
Most unfortunate of all in the “fear of missing out” mindset is the view of “I want to have fun and to do my own thing – God can wait.” That thought sadly can cause us to make decisions that lead us down a path we were never meant to travel on, with people or to places that only cause a “whole world of confusion and pain”. At worst it can lead to us spending an eternity separated from God.
But God didn’t ever plan for us to live someone else’s life or to be governed by fear and doubt. He made us to live out our dreams, aspirations and desires with the people, places and things that will bring us the most joy, fruitfulness and fulfillment.
When we trust Him He will never allow us to miss out and therefore there is no need for fear and doubt. We need only to choose everyday to follow His ways and the directions that He gives us in His Word and through His guiding presence in our lives.
Life won’t pass us by, the person we are meant to spend the rest of our lives with won’t go to someone else, and the job, promotion, holiday etc. that we dream about will come into our hands. If we focus our attention, not upon the “fear of missing out”, but on the goodness of God and His love for us then we are far more inclined to seek Him and His ways first. God promises in His Word that even if He has to move mountains, override the natural order of things, or organize divine appointments and opportunities so that we can step into our our destiny and meet the right people at exactly the right time He will do it, because that is how God operates, and that’s how much He loves us.
Today don’t settle for less than God’s best for you. Don’t allow fear to dictate your next steps or the course of the rest of your life. Instead choose to trust that He has a perfectly orchestrated plan for your life and that He will bring it to pass as you choose to let go of fear and to take hold of His hand as He leads you in the right way to go.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”(Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”(Matthew 6:33)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”(James 1:5)
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” (Lamentations 3:25 NIV)
Prayer: Lord please help me to live free from the fear of missing out as I learn to trust in you. Thank you that I can rely on your promises that you will direct my steps and that your plans for me are ones filled with hope and a future. I trust you today that I won’t miss out on your best for me and that you are turning things around in my favour today. In Jesus name Amen.