FOMO: Is It Opportunity or Just a Distraction?

FOMO isn’t about missed opportunities

FOMO, or the Fear Of Missing Out, is a term used to describe anxiety about the fear of missing out on potential opportunities. However, I believe there’s a deeper level of anxiety surrounding the opportunities that come our way, stemming from various perspectives and sometimes self-defeating beliefs.

When you feel anxious about whether or not to pursue an opportunity, the first step is to define what an opportunity means to you in the first place. Some “opportunities” are merely vague possibilities that, in the moment, feel like a wide open door of expectation. In reality, the door might only be slightly ajar, we’re simply imagining what could lie beyond it. 

Let’s say you are walking through a grocery store and someone hands you a business card for their budding new Avon business and they want you to join too. Does that mean you should? Does it mean God or the universe is giving you direction? Don’t get me wrong. I fully believe in God leading us through providence, revealing His will through both open and closed doors. But I think we get a little imaginative at what looks like an open door.

Here’s what I’ve discovered – it’s not wise to move blindly forward, even through an open door. Look for evidence this is the right path forward. It could be Biblical evidence if you are Christian, or it could be through looking at your past and what has work and not worked for you or maybe it’s to think about your future and what’s going on in your life right now. For example, my schedule is very busy and just because someone wants to hire me doesn’t mean I have room for them.

It’s perfectly fine for you to analyze a decision before moving forward rather than thinking that every opportunity that comes your way as something you have to take on. Sometimes God just wants to give us a choice because He loves us and is providing a win-win situation. Sometimes it’s a test to determine your commitment to a previous obligation you agreed to. Maybe it’s a random circumstance or it could even be something from the enemy drawing you down the wrong path.

I don’t say all this to confuse or scare you, rather to help you see it’s totally okay for you to rationally sit down and weigh all the pros and cons about an opportunity that comes your way. 

Here’s some questions to ask yourself: 

• Will this be the right decision for you spiritually, physically, and emotionally? 
• What are the factors you need to consider before moving forward? 
• Is this truly an opportunity or is it a possible suggested idea? 

So, the next time an “opportunity” comes knocking, remember it’s not always a wide-open door demanding you walk through it. Take a breath, discern, and weigh what’s truly best for you. It’s not about missing out, but about wisely choosing what to step into.