Today I came across a word that is new to me. It is a word that was added to the Oxford English Dictionary as recently as 2013. The word is FOMO (spelled in capital letters), and is an abbreviation of “fear of missing out.” It describes the “anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media.” FOMO is a word very much grounded in the 21st century world of social media.
Eric Baker, in an article in Time magazine, says that the concept behind the word is “certainly not a good thing.” He refers to the definition given by a recent study: “the uneasy and sometimes all-consuming feeling that you’re missing out—that your peers are doing, in the know about, or in the possession of more or something better than you.” One result is the constant checking of social media to make sure that one is in the loop of what is happening. The study goes on to suggest that, “FOMO often originates in unhappiness.” It distracts one from paying attention to participating in real life and instead leads to “fake life.”
Although its origins seem to originate from the social media experience, its basic meaning does allow for the usage of the word in other contexts. In fact, I came across the word in a blog by Michael Hyatt about personal productivity and learning to say, “no.” We tend to grab at every opportunity that comes our way. Indeed, we end up being “so busy saying yes to the vague possibility that something is more valuable than our work that we never get around to actually working on what matters.”
The same may be said of the kind of choices we make in our day-to-day undertakings. In particular, our FOMO keep us from making a firm commitment to the things that really matter. We fill our time with so many activities and events, and by the day’s end we feel so weary but also realize we have not given the proper attention to the things that have true and lasting value—like our commitment to Christ and his purposes.
Jesus warns us about the kind of anxiety that is overwhelmed by worldly concerns, having a FOMO on what this world may have to offer. In one parable he describes how seed sown among thorns is choked by them, resulting in fruitlessness. Jesus then explains that this refers to those who allow “the cares and riches and pleasures of this life” to crowd out God’s Word and so “they never grow into maturity” (Luke 8.14 NLT). FOMO may create anxiety about legitimate needs—like food and clothing. Yet Jesus reminds us, “But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness” (Matthew 6.33 NET), and “don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met” (The Message).
—Keith Y. Jainga