There is this contemporary term—FOMO—fear of missing out.

What do you fear you’re missing? What is your IT?

This week I almost missed my it! The answer to my prayer. The cry of my heart. I almost missed it.

It was there. Waiting to be seen. Acknowledged. Unmoored from a place of deep disappointment.

I’ve been trusting God through a very difficult trial in my life. One in which I’ve walked a thousand emotional miles with Him—through the raging storms and the hottest of fires, all the while knowing He was with me. Knowing He was carrying me. And knowing He was for me.

Even so, disappointment not only knocked at the door but barged in and took up residence in my heart. And it left me heartsick.

When this happens, there’s a choice to be made. Stew in it. Feed it. Watch it grow and morph into all kinds of crazy emotions that demand to be felt and expressed. Or decide to look beyond the offense to a greater revelation. One that is secure in the confidence of Christ. The confidence that knows the end will not prove false.

I’ve walked many emotional miles with God, and because of that, I am aware of how this works. When disappointment, fear, or deep pain takes up residence in my heart for any reason, the revelation I am searching for is found in a spiritual time out, a faith reprieve. I steal away from the bustle of my life. I get silent. I adopt a posture of humility, and I listen. I look. I wait to find God in the midst of the mess.

I’m sure you don’t have to dig too deep into your own life to find a place of deep disappointment. One that casts a dark shadow over your heart and keeps you from the revelation you are desperate to discern.

Regardless of fault in any matter, blame is human; disappointment the result. We want to point fingers and demand penalty, ownership, guilt. Similarly, God’s economy isn’t much different in that sin demands to be owned and admitted. However, the price has been paid. We’ve been forgiven and released from the debt of guilt. And that is a very big difference.

If you haven’t guessed it yet—IT is God! His presence. His forgiveness. His Spirit. He is the IT you desire! He is the IT you don’t want to miss.

I must admit, as the years march on, and life’s hills get steeper, and the valley’s deeper, my biggest FOMO is missing God. Let it never be. That is where hopelessness lives—an absence in the space where He is meant to exist. Why? Because meaning is found in relationship with Him, and He has set eternity in our heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Recently, the news has been full of really sad people. Lonely people. People who have no hope. Sometimes life is just too much.

In those times, when it feels as though you’ve walked a thousand emotional miles—hard miles—miles for your kids, friends, family members, or the difficult miles you’ve walked alone, don’t stop there. Don’t hang up your hope. Revelation awaits to be found.

Especially in those times when God seems silent, it is imperative to remember He hears every groan of our heart, our every cry for help. And although temporal love can be vague. Inconsistent. Anemic. God’s love is a sure thing. It’s relentless. Certain. Satisfying. Healing.

This week I found myself walking in the land of captivity. A land of fear and disappointment. Like the Israelites when they found themselves in Babylonian Captivity, they had a choice to make—succumb to the disappointment, insecurity, and fear, or start looking for revelation.

We too have that same choice.

There is a beautiful Psalm I happened upon when writing this piece.”Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. The LORD will vindicate me; your love, LORD, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.” (Psalm 138:7-8)

I was standing on this truth when I found it! When I found that indeed, God answered my prayer. I almost missed it. I almost missed Him. But I didn’t!

Let’s encourage each other not to walk any longer in the land of captivity. A land filled with bitterness, unforgiveness, fear, disappointment. Don’t miss your it. Don’t miss the revelation of God—of what He wants to show you, teach you, give you in this place of purpose.

Although it linger, wait for it. There is an appointed time, and it will not prove false.

Reflect and Respond:

This week, when you are tempted to feel forgotten by God, remiss of His love, try silence on for size and ask for revelation. Take a spiritual time out, a faith reprieve. Entertain a little FOMO if you will. Set your sights beyond the temporal to the eternity set in your heart.

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed and don’t miss your it!