The women’s ministry at your church is planning a trip to a women’s conference. It’s going to be epic! Everyone’s excited. Everyone, that is, except you.
With small kids at home and a husband who travels, an out-of-town trip just isn’t possible right now—not to mention the grandparents can’t help out. They live miles away.
Maybe that event you’re missing isn’t a women’s conference. Perhaps it involves your co-workers, other mom-friends, or an open door you’ve been praying for.
I’ve been there too, fellow go-getter.
We like to stay busy. Keep our schedule filled with good things. But the reality is, if we try to do ALL the things, we’ll end up burned out and joyless. That’s why we need to be aware of one fascinating truth about being busy.
Our busy schedules can often make us feel like we’re missing out on important things.
One Thing Busy Women Fear Most
As busy go-getter girls, we cringe at the idea of missing out on an opportunity. That’s especially true for those of us who love to set goals and work to get things done.
Missed opportunities can leave us feeling like we’ve lost a chance that may never come again. To break free from the battle with this persistent fear, we can guard against it with a little inspiration from God’s Word.
What to Do When We Feel Like We’ve Missed Out
When we are afraid of missing an opportunity, let’s remember that this is a season. We may not be able to go everywhere or do all the things, but we can embrace contentment by discovering the joy in the specific season God has for us today.
Philippians 4:11-12 says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
Contentment. That’s the answer in Paul’s words. But if we know we should feel content, why do we still battle this fear of missed opportunities?
Because being busy can overshadow the peace God longs to give us.
The Power of Contentment Over the Fear of Missing Out
Contentment holds power. Paul knew this, which is why he encouraged the church with his own experience. He’d been through it all— times of plenty and times of want. Yet he learned the power of choosing to be content.
Like Paul, we will have times of more and times of less.
Choosing contentment over fearing what we’re missing means discovering joy in our everyday lives. The busy days, the lazy days, and everything in between.
Are you battling the fear of missed opportunities today? Let’s find our inspiration in Paul’s life lesson. Let’s replace the one thing we fear most with renewed contentment.
A portion of this devotion is an excerpt from an article by Kristine Brown, “What Is Scripture’s Answer to the Fear of Missing Out?” originally published on iBelieve.com.