When You Wonder if You’re Missing Out - The Crosswalk Devotional - September 5

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When You Wonder if You’re Missing Out
By Hannah Benson

Bible Reading:
“The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” - Psalm 16:6 (ESV)

Do you ever struggle with FOMO (or fear of missing out, as it’s often called)? I wrestle with this fear all the time.

The fact is, we can’t be everywhere all at once even if we wish we could.

As much as we don’t want to hear this, we are not meant to be everywhere. Certainly not everywhere all at once and sometimes not ever. I know this is painful to hear (it is for me, too), but we need to realize that not every space is ours to fill.

Read that again.

Not every space is ours to fill.

As Psalm 16:6 puts it, "The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” This means not every opportunity is ours to have. I know it’s hard to watch someone else win the award, receive a promotion, or “move forward” (according to our definition) in life.

What about when we want to be everywhere all at once? When we’re uninvited or simply can’t do everything or we’re forced to choose between two amazing opportunities? Is it possible to “miss out” on God’s will for our lives?

Or what if the space we find ourselves in isn’t the space we want to be?

Because of our human nature, sometimes, we are going to be envious of the blessings God has chosen to shower upon someone else.

We are going to wonder why we weren’t invited. Why we aren’t as popular. Why we didn’t get the scholarship, the award, or the leading role in the school play.

This is something I’ve struggled with for a long time. A mixture of prideful arrogance often led me to believe I “deserve” whatever it is I want. Selfish, isn’t it? And when God in His mercy sees fit to bless someone else with the very thing I wanted, I became angry.

Why didn’t He bless me the same?

This was a struggle for a long time until the Lord gently pried my hands open and urged me to stop clinging to what I wanted as if it were an idol.

And He reminded me that He knew best. Just because He didn’t bless me with the exact same blessings as someone else didn’t mean He was withholding good things from me. Humans are not meant to be copycats of each other. Even identical twins, siblings, best friends, and spouses. We may have a lot in common with those closest to us, but we won’t have all the exact same experiences and blessings even if we try.

God has a unique plan and purpose for each of us.

He has a calling for you and me.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

In case you need this reminder today, if you are following the Lord, you will not miss out on anything He has for you.

Look around you.

Look at where you find yourself right now.

Perhaps life isn’t perfect.

It never is.

But are you living an answered prayer? Do you remember a time when you got on your knees, maybe folded your hands, and begged God for a miracle and He came through?

I am guilty of praying for something, begging God for a miracle, and forgetting to thank Him when He provides a breakthrough. When I think back on my life, I’m honestly overwhelmed. I’m overwhelmed when I think of where I started versus where I am.

Last summer, I told God, if He wanted me in the film industry, He was going to have to push me in there.

This summer, I’m involved in at least 4 film projects working with wonderful mentors I’d never even dreamed possible.

I told God I needed a job.

Two years later?

I’m working remotely in marketing, including film marketing, which was exactly what God knew I needed in this season.

Even writing for Crosswalk is an answer to prayer.

I’d been asking God for another place to consistently write devotionals when He provided Crosswalk.

And that’s only a few examples.

Of course, God doesn’t always answer our prayers with what we want. He certainly doesn’t always answer me with what I want! And sometimes, like I had to for the right job, we must wait two (or more) years.

But the truth is, I think all of us have an answered prayer we are living right now. Perhaps it’s a prayer you whispered as a child that is now finally coming to fruition. Perhaps it’s a prayer for good health. Or knowing God is holding you close in this difficult season. Perhaps it’s an answered prayer knowing God has never left your side.

What answered prayer might you be living right now?

Perhaps you are still waiting for something. Fighting jealousy because of the blessings showered upon someone else.

But have you ever considered that God has you right where He will use you?

Maybe you’re not meant to stay there forever. After all, seasons change.

But perhaps at this very moment, you are right where you are supposed to be.

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/ TI NGUYEN 

Hannah L. Benson is a writer, actress, and content marketer with a passion for telling stories that glorify God and bring hope to your heart. As a writer, her work can be found in publications including the Rebelution, Her View From Home, Her Faith Arises, Inside Out Worldwide, and now most recently, Crosswalk. Her heartfelt writings have impacted countless women around the country. As one reader put it: "Hannah has a gift of sharing the depths of her heart in a relatable way with a deep understanding of the human heart." Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram @hannahlbensonwrites or visit her website at www.hannahlbenson.com.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com! 

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