NOMO FOMO

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe."

Proverbs 25:29

 Fear of man has a new name in our present culture: FOMO [Fear Of Missing Out].

It is a type of fear that comes from pride. When this type of wily distraction slithers into our minds we are fearing the wrong thing. We are fearing for ourselves!  We are not fearing God and not thankful for all His loving promises to always love and care for us. 

FOMO can easily become a growing anxiety of comparing our lives with the lifestyles of others. It is not freedom. It's bondage. It's wanting to see if we measure up to the images people portray of themselves. Fear of man is angst that we won't get the approval of others. So we do and say things to please others, not because it's what we want or believe, but we become desperate for the affirmation of people around us. Exhausting, isn't it? You know, trying to keep up with everyone else's business? It is exhausting because it's not God's Way for us to live! 

I was living in FOMOtown as a result of childhood abandonment of my dad. But GOD.  I was led by the Holy Spirit to pray for relief from such bondage, I fervently prayed daily for Him to "open my eyes to the truth and to give me wisdom and discernment."  He continues to answer my cries, too! Yep. It remains an ongoing, passionate prayer of my heart, every single morning, for myself and for my family!

Why do we believe the lie that the unconditional love and faithfulness of our Father in heaven isn't enough? Actually He offers a whole lot "more than all we could ask or think of asking (Ephesians 3:20).

To be free from the fear of man we have to spend our precious time here on earth following Christ instead of agonizing over the lifestyles of others. It is a fierce battle to live counter culturally, but when we cry out to God to help us and fight for us to overcome, He will do it. It's the only way to enjoy all the fruitful blessings in life that money cannot buy: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

 Look at what else God promises us as His children: 

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." 

(Matthew 6:31-33).

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." 

(Psalm 37:3-4)

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." 

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." 

(Proverbs 3:7-8).

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you and 

watch over you. 

(Psalm 32:8).

"An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no

fear of God before their eyes. For in their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to 

detect or hate their sin." 

(Psalm 36:1)

We are going to either fear God or fear people. The (above) brief list of hope-filled, life-giving passages reveals who God is. How we choose to respond to His love and grace shows the world who we are. 

For the love of Christ, for the love of the growing sisterhood of believers,

Polly💖

Matthew 5:16