When FOMO Steals from You…

Posted on by Jennifer Arimborgo
My Ester and I in Lima, Peru

“I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear
For I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength.
I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”
(Isa. 41:10, MSG).

At some point during the last few years, I learned an abbreviation that often gets tossed around social media: FOMO. Fear Of Missing Out. In the cases I have seen it used, it has born a cutesy connotation. Individuals remark about being glued to their phones, because, FOMO!

Although we culturally use this term in a lighthearted way, doesn’t it point to something deeper in our hearts? Isn’t the fear of missing out actually a fundamental problem for so many of us? Here are a few examples:

  • The fear of missing out on the fulfillment we perceive others around us as enjoying
  • The fear of missing out on amazing opportunities to travel
  • The fear of missing out on financial stability
  • The fear of missing out on invitations to important social gatherings
  • The fear of missing out on promotions
  • The fear of missing out on success and acclaim
  • The fear of missing out on the right path forward
  • The fear of missing out on meaningful friendship
  • The fear of missing out on acceptance
  • The fear of missing out on being seen and known
  • The fear of missing out on love

The list goes on and on. Just as FOMO can glue us to our phones, these deeper underlying fears can also steal from us what is most important right now: the present. The moment we are currently living through is an exceedingly precious gift from God that we will never have again. How He longs for us to unwrap and savor the gift of today, rather than squandering it on fears of future lack!

I’ll share with you an example from my life. My oldest daughter, Ester, just started her senior year of high school. A year from now, she is planning on moving away to the United States to pursue her college plans. Ester is mature beyond her years, and has become one of my closest friends. Something very deep in my heart protests with profound emotion at the thought of being separated from her.

Daddy has been working with me on that. How grateful I am for His ongoing labor of love deep on the inside of each one of us! He has been helping me relinquish to Him the fear of missing out on Ester’s presence. He reminds my heart of hearts how He has always given me everything I needed emotionally in every season, including the hardest ones. Instead of squandering the days I have with her this year on worries about not having her next year… He is helping me just cherish each precious moment right now. How good He is!

How about you? Is there an area where FOMO has been stealing your peace? Do you need to pause right now and ask for His help with it? Dear one, ask, and you will receive! How He loves you!

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Have you sent any kids off to college yet? If so, how was that transition for you?