We live in a world that is constantly telling us we are missing out on the best life has to offer. Whether it’s a limited-time sale, a short theatrical run of a movie, or even a chicken sandwich promoted with “get it while it lasts,” the message is the same: We must get what we feel we need now—or risk missing out forever. This feeling has a name: FOMO or the fear of missing out. For God’s people, it is vital to understand FOMO and its true origin so that we can not only avoid this fear, but be reassured that God will not let us miss out on a fulfilling existence now and in the future.
FOMO can be “defined as a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent,” and “characterized by the desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing” (“Motivational, emotional, and behavioral correlates of fear of missing out,” Computers in Human Behavior, Volume 29, Issue 4). While studies on FOMO associate it with social media, it extends far deeper into our general life experiences, creating a relentless loop: We see something that looks good, we wonder why we don’t have it, and we measure ourselves by whether we can obtain it.
Although the term itself was coined relatively recently, the concept of FOMO traces back to the very beginning of human history. In Genesis 3:4–6, we see Adam and Eve gripped by the fear that they were missing out on something God was holding back from them. Note what Satan used to draw them in: He promised they would be “like God, knowing good and evil.”
Their decision to eat the fruit was rooted in a fear of not having everything they could have. In that moment, they felt apprehension, doubt, and even betrayal. They acted on the fear of missing out on a perceived benefit, reinforcing the selfish nature that lies at the heart of FOMO.
This idea can be traced even further back—to the fall of Lucifer. Isaiah 14:13–14 describes how Satan wanted to be God, feeling as though he was missing out on power he lacked. Lucifer was created with immense beauty and capability, yet he chose to look past his blessings to see only what he did not have (Ezekiel 28:11–19). His compulsive pursuit of that “missing” power became his downfall.
Why God’s People Have Nothing to Fear
Despite a culture—and an adversary—that insists we are lacking, trusting in God allows us to understand that we will never miss out on a truly rewarding life, neither now nor in the future. In Luke 12:32, we are reminded that God is offering us the opportunity to live in His family forever. Verses 22–23 of that chapter remind us that life is about more than just flitting from one experience to the next, chasing whatever we feel we lack at the expense of others and ourselves. We have the opportunity to build meaning that will last for eternity. God is not holding out on us; rather, He is preparing us to experience a life of infinite joy.
It can be easy to feel that we are losing out on meaningful experiences in this present life. A few years ago, I was presented with an opportunity to teach in Japan with the University of Texas system as my sponsor. As an Asian-American with roots in that part of the world, the idea of combining my passions for teaching and learning with travel and cultural immersion was deeply appealing; however, with no congregation in the country, challenging moving logistics, and a society that would not respect the Sabbath or the Holy Days, I realized I had to walk away from that opportunity.
In the days and weeks that followed, it was indeed a struggle not to let FOMO take root. But Christ’s words provided a great deal of comfort in my decision: “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life” (Luke 18:28–30).
Our Provider, the One who knows us intimately, will provide everything we need in this life and even grant our hearts’ desires as they accord with His will. When I turned down that opportunity in Japan, I worried about what I was losing. But instead, I gained a deeper relationship with God, new and lasting friendships—and, eventually, the fulfillment of my desires for travel and other experiences in ways I hadn’t expected.
FOMO is an idea built on a lie: the notion that we are constantly lacking and must do whatever we can to fill that hole. This way of thinking began with Satan and was spread to all of mankind. But God’s people have a different assurance (Jeremiah 29:11; John 10:10). We do not need to live in a state of apprehension and seeking more. We are promised both a meaningful, abundant life today and a permanent, glorious place in God’s eternal family.