My daughter, like most toddlers, does not like bed time. It's not that she does not like her rest or the warmth of her bed. The issue is she thinks if he goes to sleep something fun, exciting, and maybe even magical will happen that she will miss because she decided to follow her parents instruction and go to sleep. Some nights she asks me "what are you about to do?" with this little sad face, convinced she is being left out of some night time fun. I reassure her me and daddy are simply going to sleep too. She then reluctantly rolls over to sleep herself.
Even as a grown woman, however, I know how she feels. I feel it every time I get on social media and see pictures to an event I was not invited to. I feel it when I'm tempted to think my life is moving slow and I should have accomplished more by now. I felt it just last week when I decided not to register for a conference that was perfect for me but it just wasn't the best time for me to go.
You've probably felt it too. It has a name you know? FOMO. The fear of missing out. It's that gut wrenching emptiness that takes over when you feel left out and left behind. I may not be able to get you an invite to that awesome event you are dying to attend but I can provide some help if you don't. Here are 3 ways to overcome the fear of missing out.
1) Trust God is in Control. There is one truth that I have held on to that helps me overcome the FOMO and this is simply that God is in control. If we chose to trust that God is ordering all of our steps, we don't have to fear missing a step. Instead of feeling like we are behind in life we can trust that God has us right where He wants us to be.
Scripture: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
2) Resist comparison. A runner will not win if they are in someone else's lane. In the same way, the FOMO will always trip us up from living the lives God has called us to live by focusing our attention on things that may not be for us in the first place. The best thing for us to do is not only know God has a specific plan for us but to also stay focused on Jesus and not get distracted by what others are doing.
Scripture: Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. - Proverbs 4:25 ESV
3) Realize Fear is not Reality. Many, if not all of our fear of missing out is just not true any way. We simply make it up in our heads. Just like my daughter is not missing out when she goes to sleep, God is not holding you back from anything that is meant for you. If it is for you, trust me, you won't miss it! Whatever party, promotion or plan He has for you, is for you. And if it's not, we should be grateful God closed that door and didn't allow us to spend time, money, or energy on things not in His plan for us in the first place.
Scripture: For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. - 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Truly believing the powerful truth that God is in control, resisting comparison and understanding fear is not reality will help us to kick the FOMO to the curb. We'll probably then get rid of her ugly sisters insecurity, worry and doubt as a bonus. So let's not be concerned about missing out on the things of this world. Let's be concerned about missing out on the things of God. God does not give as the world gives, He especially does not give fear but security that we may live bold lives that truly align with His will for us. And in the will of God there is no missing out.
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