What Is FOMO?

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. How can we not only avoid this fear, but be reassured that we will not 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. Adam and Eve themselves were gripped by the fear that they were missing out on something God was holding back from them (Genesis 3:4–6). Note what Satan used to draw them in: He promised they would be “like God, knowing good and evil.” Their decision to disobey God 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.

But, this idea can be traced even further back—to the fall of Lucifer. Isaiah 14:13–14 describes how he 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.

It can be easy to feel that we are losing out on meaningful experiences in this present life. Years ago, I was presented with an opportunity that I realized I had to walk away from in order to prioritize my relationship with God. I worried about what I was losing, and 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). Because I turned down that opportunity, I gained a deeper relationship with God, new and lasting friendships—and, eventually, the fulfillment of my desires in ways I hadn’t expected.

Despite a culture that insists we are lacking, God assures us that if we live by His word, we never have to miss out on a truly rewarding life, neither now nor in the future. He reminds 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 (Luke 12:22–23). Instead, He is offering us the opportunity to live forever in His Kingdom (Luke 12:32), a life of infinite joy.

FOMO is an idea built on the lie that we are constantly lacking and must do whatever we can to fill that hole. But we can have a different assurance—our Provider, who knows us intimately, will provide everything we need in this life and even grant our hearts’ desires as they accord with His will (Psalm 37:4; Jeremiah 29:11; John 10:10). We do not need to live in a state of apprehension, always seeking more. If we make God our priority, we can have both a meaningful, abundant life today and a glorious, eternal future.

---

If you would like to learn more, why not check out the free study guides What Is a True Christian? and The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like? Both are available in multiple formats right here at TomorrowsWorld.org.