10 Tips to Surrender the Fear of Missing Out This Christmas

“Don’t worry about missing out” (Matthew 6:30, MSG).

The clamor of my calendar, cluttered with Christmas celebrations, proves the squares in my planner for each day are way too small. After everything was cancelled during the pandemic, the flood of old traditions returning doesn’t mean writing tiny to fit all of the things into one square. One life cannot hold all of the holiday traditions. No planner is equipped for that.

Which means, there will be FOMO, or the fear of missing out, this holiday season. Missing out on charitable events, volunteer opportunities, Christmas parties, and doorbuster deals. It’s simply not possible to do all of the things and be in all of the places for all of the people in our lives.

God, the Author of time, allows us to decide what we will squish into those calendar squares. But, He does provide a wise process to follow when dividing our time between friends, family, and our community this Christmas.

First, God commands us many times in the Bible not to fear nor worry. Having too much to do, or too little to do, is all happening under the sovereign control of our Almighty God. Our lives are in His hands. Matthew wrote,

“And if God cares so wonderfully for the wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” (Matthew 6:30).

Big faith allows tiny calendar squares to expand to the ebb and flow of the Spirit’s leading in our lives. When we walk in step with the Holy Spirit, who lives in us from the moment we put our faith in Christ Jesus, we are able to access His power in moments of fear and worry. We can actually ask the Holy Spirit if we should write something on our calendar, and then pause to listen for the answer. The English Standard Version of Matthew 6:30 reads:

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"

Little faith worries about letting others down, disappointing our community – and even God! Even the opportunity to serve others this Christmas should be weighed in the hands of the One who has the ability to balance our time in a way which brings honor and glory to Him. Jesus said His yoke is easy and burden is light. If we find ourselves carrying around a heavy burden of FOMO, it may be time to stop and give the authority of our Christmas calendar to God. The Message paraphrase of Matthew 6:30-33 reads:

“If God give such attention to the appearance of the wildflowers - most of which are never even seen - don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”

The Voice paraphrase of Matthew 6:30 ends with “…you who have no trust.” When we place our trust in God, through the power of the Holy Spirit given to us by Christ Jesus, we can eliminate FOMO from our Christmas agenda. In fact, it’s a better way to live any time of the year. The way to eliminate fear and worry from our lives comes by obediently and consistently welcoming the Holy Spirit to lead us, and being willing to listen and follow Him! His way is better. God loves us so much!

This Christmas, Scriptures like Psalm 37, much of which is listed below, help us to reset and refocus on the full life Christ willingly left heaven to come to earth and give us.

10 Ways the Rich Truth of Psalm 37 Helps Us Give Our Agendas to God

1. Don’t Worry

“Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they will soon fade away. Like Spring flowers, they soon wither” (Psalm 37:1-2).

2. Trust in the LORD

“Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires” (Psalm 37:3-4).

3. Commit to the LORD

“Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun” (Psalm 37:5-6).

4. Be Still in the Presence of the LORD

“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7).

5. Stop Being Angry

“Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper - it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land” (Psalm 37:8-9).

6. Be Godly

“It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the LORD takes care of the godly” (Psalm 37:16-17).

7. Hold the LORD’s Hand

“The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand” (Psalm 37:23-24).

8. Do Good

“Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the LORD loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly” (Psalm 37:27-28).

9. Put Your Hope in the LORD

“Put your hope in the LORD. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed” (Psalm 37:34).

10. Look at Those Who Are Honest and Good

“Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future” (Psalm 37:39-40).

Conclusion

God wants us to live a full and blessed life. He promises that it won’t always be easy. Following Christ means submitting to a way of life which goes against what the rest of the world deems normal. But, the miracle of the Christmas story – Christ Jesus coming down to earth to the tune of angel choirs – is all the proof we need to know it’s worth it to walk His way. This Christmas, let’s stay focused on Christ Jesus, who is always with us, and joyfully submit our schedules and our daily steps to the Spirit of God living in us. We can set down the burden of FOMO, fear, and worry, and follow the Light.

Meg Bucher Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ at megbucher.com. She is the author of “Friends with Everyone, Friendship within the Love of Christ,” “Surface, Unlocking the Gift of Sensitivity,” “Glory Up, The Everyday Pursuit of Praise,” “Home, Finding Our Identity in Christ,” and "Sent, Faith in Motion." Meg earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University but stepped out of the business world to stay home and raise her two daughters …which led her to pursue her writing passion. A contributing writer for Salem Web Network since 2016, Meg is now thrilled to be a part of the editorial team at Salem Web Network. Meg loves being involved in her community and local church, leads Bible study, and serves as a youth leader for teen girls.