The Fear of Missing Out - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - October 29, 2024

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

Sitting in my living room, I often drift off into my own thoughts. I wonder what other people are doing today and how much more they are living life to the fullest. Due to depression and fear, I often self-isolate myself. Self-isolation has caused me to miss out on a lot of life. I chose to stay in the safety of my home rather than face the outside world.

While many people think this is being cautious, it actually becomes controlling. Fear can control us to the point that we are immobile. I never thought I would come to a place such as this, yet here I am. Maybe you also find yourself in a similar place. Fear has kept you from truly living for far too long. This, in turn, leads us to fear we are going to miss out on life. 

In truth, this is something that has often made me feel deep regret. Am I doing everything I should be doing? Am I truly making the most of every opportunity? What will I think about my life at the very end? Unfortunately, I don’t think I have a positive answer to any of these questions. Even if we think we have some areas under control in our lives, we might be missing out on the most important things.

Something that has become a goal of mine is to truly start enjoying the little moments in life. Rather than always thinking others have it better than me, I’m starting to recognize all the blessings God has given me. Maybe I don’t have a prestigious home, a well-paying job, or a tight-knit circle of friends, but I do have God. When I’m at my breaking point, I remember Him and He helps me find myself again.

I’m often depressed and saddened by how my life has turned out, but God always reminds me that my story isn’t over. It is just beginning. Whether we are in our twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties, nineties, or a hundred years old, God still has a purpose for our lives. This is a purpose that only we can fulfill. By knowing this, it can help us have more hope for life and know that good things are ahead.

Due to my past, I have often wondered if hard times are awaiting me behind every corner. I don’t tend to have smooth-sailing experiences in my life; therefore, I normally expect the worst. I trust God and His plans; however, I also know that His plans are not easy. They can be hard and challenging at times, yet He knows what we need. Even if it might not be what we want, He will give us what we need.

Sometimes we might miss out on things we really wanted to do, such as being there for a loved one before they passed away, catching up with friends, or finding the one. This can cause us to feel as though we have many wasted and missed chances. If this is how you are feeling today, know that God has you right where He wants you. You didn’t ruin your life nor did you ruin His will for your life. God’s plans and purposes will prevail no matter what. 

The writer of Hebrews says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). As this passage tells us, we need to hold faithfully to the hope we have in the Lord because He is faithful. Even though we are not promised a painless life on earth, we are looking forward to our eternal home with the Lord in heaven. All of the disappointment and regret we feel today will not endure forever. 

There will come a day when we feel full of joy, love, and happiness. Sadly, on earth, we can continue to suffer from fear of missing out, but we can avoid this by making the most of every opportunity and trusting Jesus. Life might not be exactly what we want it to be, but this life is not our final destination. Our eternal home is with God in heaven, and we can look forward to this with a heart of hope. 

Let's pray:

“Dear God, I often struggle with a fear of missing out. I feel as though I have missed out on much in life. Thank You for helping me know that I’m exactly where you want me to be. I place my life in Your hands, Amen.” 

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/katleho Seisa

Vivian Bricker loves Jesus, studying the Word of God, and helping others in their walk with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master's degree in Christian Ministry with a deep academic emphasis in theology. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside. When she is not writing, she is embarking on other adventures.

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