Are You Missing Out?

FOMO… the fear of missing out…It is definitely something I struggle with. I don’t want to miss out on anything, whether it is social media posts, conversations, or experiences. The result is that I often end up feeling exhausted and anxious, and I don’t know that my efforts really increase my involvement that much, and may even cause me to be where I’m not wanted (another fear I have.) Most of the time, this is not a fear that we should give much weight to, but there are things that we should take seriously and make very sure that we do not miss out.

 

Numbers 14:30-31 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

By no means will you come into the land where I swore to settle you, except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. Your children, however, whom you said would become plunder—I will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected.

 

In this passage, after the Israelites left Egypt, crossed the Red Sea and received the Ten Commandments, they finally came to the Promised Land. Twelve spies, one from each tribe, were sent to spy out the land and returned with a mixed report. The land was good, but the people were numerous and some were huge. Ten of the spies said it was impossible and they should not try to enter. Joshua and Caleb, however, were adamant that God was on their side and since He had sworn to give them the land, it could be done. Unfortunately, the people believed the ten and even threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb for insisting they follow in God’s path. As a result, God determined that the Israelites would wander in the wilderness for 40 years until every one who was the age 20 and older died. Joshua and Caleb were the only ones over 20 who were allowed to enter the Promised Land. The entire nation missed out on the promise because of their lack of belief, because they were afraid.

 

We are often in danger of missing the promise for a number of reasons.

 

1 John 4:18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Matthew 10:28-31 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are two sparrows not sold for an assarion? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows.

Colossians 3:1-2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

Galatians 1:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

 

First, fear often causes us to miss a promise. We are afraid of what people will think, afraid of what will happen to us, afraid of discomfort. So we do not go forward and do what God has said. We do not obey and there for miss the promise. We also have the wrong fear of God. Instead of the reverential fear we should have, we are afraid that He will do something we won’t like, or even be mean. We lose sight of His character and instead listen to fear. As a result we miss the promise. We are afraid of doing missions or serving in uncomfortable places like the inner city, and miss out on the blessing of serving God and others.

 

Second, we fear people. We often care too much about what people think which sways our actions and thoughts so that we do what people want rather than what God wants. We seek to gain the favor of others, to be people pleasers, so we miss the promise. We shrink back from sharing our faith with a friend because we are afraid of what they will think or say, and so miss the opportunity to contribute to their salvation. That does not mean that they won’t be saved because we didn’t act, but we miss out on taking part.

 

Third, we can also miss out on the promise of salvation entirely, not just the blessings promised. If we care too much about worldly things, enjoying what life has to offer at the expense of our souls, we will miss out on salvation. The fear of missing out on worldly pleasures can cause us to miss out on eternity.

 

Fourth, we can also miss out because we are just not paying attention. If we are not in tune with God, listening to His Spirit and seeking His work in everything, we will miss out on what He is doing. It is possible to experience some great blessing of God’s without even being aware of it, or without seeing it as a blessing. We can miss out on the abundant life God has to offer because we are not looking for or seeking it, just living life without thought.

 

We need to be intentional and aware. We need to stay focused on God and what He is doing. We need to have our priorities in place, willing to do what is hard or uncomfortable, unconcerned with the opinions of others. We need to make sure that we don’t miss out on what is really important.

 

Revelation 2:10 New American Standard Bible

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Hebrews 4:1-2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Therefore, we must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but the word they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united with those who listened with faith.

 

Are you afraid of missing out? Are you aware of what God is doing? Are you focusing more on God or what is going on around you? Ask God to correct your focus, to give you courage to follow Him and do what is right so that you don’t miss out. Ask Him to give you the faith to trust Him and keep going so you don’t faint before the end.