/ W E E K T W O /
/ Q U E S T I O N S /
When was the last time that you intentionally turned your phone off?
Does your heart jump a little when your phone buzzes or chimes? When you get a long list of likes on a photo you shared?
Why do you think this is?
/ D E F I N I T I O N /
FOMO – “The uneasy and sometimes all-consuming feeling that you’re missing out – that your peers are doing, in the know about, or in possession of more or something better than you”.
/ 2 0 1 8 S T U D Y /
¾ of young adults have low satisfaction in daily life, which lead us to on-going feelings of guilt and shame (not living up to the expectations of the world around us). These feelings lead us to a continual engagement with social media, in an attempt to keep our brains happy. [1]
“Social software is both the creator and the cure of FOMO. It’s cyclical.”
Even if we logically know Instagram isn’t an accurate depiction of people’s lives. Confronting your seeming inadequacy 24/7 against an unachievable false reality can hammer your already vulnerable lack of satisfaction.
/ M I S S I N G O U T /
We all know the feeling -- that something better might come along. So we don’t commit.
Student clubs, a church, a major or minor, a local Christian community
Social media perpetuates this reluctance to commit – you want to live a life as amazing and fulfilling as your ‘friends’ online.
Why is it that we constantly fear missing out?
Next thing you know, we aren’t committed to anything, or anyone. We find ourselves in places of loneliness, of isolation, without true deep relationship + community.
/ W O R R Y + G U I L T /
We carry so much shame, guilt, and worry!
Guilt for the things we’ve said or done, or haven’t said or done when we know we should’ve.
Shame for the ways we’ve acted, or for not acting in the right way.
Worry for things outside of our control, coming up in our lives – mid-terms, relationships, expectations.
Guilt, shame and worry are not solutions to the problems that we face. In fact, they have negative, long-term effects. They push us back, time and time again, to the feelings that we are not good enough. They perpetuate our constant fear of missing out.
/ G R A T I T U D E /
So what do neuroscientists say you should do? They say that we must ask ourselves this question: What am I grateful for?
“…the more a person is inclined to gratitude, the less likely he or she is to be depressed, anxious, lonely, envious, or neurotic.”
“…we found that gratitude uniquely predicts all outcomes considered: higher grade point average, life satisfaction, social integration, and absorption, as well as lower envy and depression.”[2]
/ R E A D /
What does Scripture say about gratitude?
Lev. 7:12-13
Psalm 95:1-2, 100:3-4
Philippians 4:6
2 Cor. 4:15-16
/ R E A D /
Luke 9:57-62
The three unnamed men
We find Jesus, and his disciples, on the road to Jerusalem. Christ is preparing for what he knows to be His death, but what these men - and his disciples, understand to be something very different.
Jesus responds, somewhat startlingly to these three men who are eager to follow Christ.
And these three men, just like Jesus’ closest disciples, see Jesus with revolutionary glasses. As a Messiah who would overthrow Rome and rule the world from a golden throne of peace and righteousness.
They did not want to miss out on this world-changing, politically driven walk to Jerusalem.
The truth was, they had misunderstood who Jesus was, what Jesus’ mission was, and were blinded by fear of missing out on what was unfolding before them.
/ C O M M I T M E N T /
What do you think Jesus is telling us about commitment in Luke 9? What is the last thing that you really committed to?
We sometimes see as bad.
If I do not commit I leave the door open.
We often value our time, our freedom of time and freedom of choices – over committing to something or even someone.
Jesus is calling for something radically different.
/ C O M M U N I T Y /
Relationships – Intentionally spend, intentional time with others.
Acts 2 Church.
NT – Always send disciples out together, in committed community.
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family…” (Prov. 27:9-10).
“And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself (his own soul),” (1 Sam. 18:3)
/ D A I L Y R E S P O N S E S T O F O M O /
Choose Gratitude – Name the things in your life that you are grateful for, rather than that which you do not have (Psalm 95, 100). Spend time, daily in prayerful, worshipful thanksgiving and gratitude for what God has done for you.
Community – Be open and honest with yourself, with God in prayer and worship, and with those whom you care for. Find a community (maybe this one!?) and ask God to open your heart to sharing and growing alongside them here at Brock.
Commitment – Commit to something that is ‘good enough’; rather than ‘best decision ever made on Earth’ (Luke 9:23, John 9:57-62).
Today’s Text: Christ Jesus calls us, as His followers, to a dedicated commitment. One that focuses solely on Him, and His call on our lives. Even over and above other good gifts - family, friends, and a warm home. To your faith and to your faithful community.
/ R E F L E C T I O N /
❖ Write out a few things in your life that you are holding onto because you are afraid of missing out. Ask God to give you the strength to let them go.
❖ Write down a few things that you are grateful for.
➢ For your dear friends, family, education, hobbies, church community, a roof over your head, clothes on your back, and all that you have been given.
❖ Take out your class schedule. Find one 15 minutes to 1 hour block where you will intentionally set aside for something restful and gratitude filled.
➢ This may be in prayer, this may be with a close friend over coffee, this may be going on a hike. Stepping away from the constant pressure, to be in the presence of God.
➢ All of life can call out to Christ in worship (Col. 1: 15-20).
❖ Visio Divina / Prayer Walking
/ P R A Y E R /
Jesus, commitment can feel daunting and overwhelming. In a world so filled with endless options and opportunities, lead us to commit ourselves to you in faith and love. Lead us to be your people, committed to following your call on our lives. To be those who seek you every day. To be those who desire to know you, and love you wholeheartedly.
[1] Grohol, J. PhD. FOMO Addiction: The Fear of Missing Out. Psych Central.
[2] Grohol, J. PhD. FOMO Addiction: The Fear of Missing Out. Psych Central. Ibid.