Can you recall a time you experienced a win?
Have you ever felt defeated?
Do you let the fear of failure stop you?
Have you ever aspired to achieve a big goal? Perhaps you succeeded and felt great. Or maybe the loss hurt you to the core and left you in shambles. Whatever the results were, an emotional reaction surely followed.
Let’s take a look at how “losses and wins” play a major part in our journey.
While preparing to deliver my first child, the labor and delivery nurse shouted, “You can do this!” You see, down the hall was another mother getting ready to have her first child as well. The nurse said, “I believe you can push your baby out faster than she can!” I can be a bit competitive, so I put on my game face! I did score that win, and everyone laughed and cheered.
Competition. Who doesn’t love a good competition? It’s what packs stadiums and fuels economies.
However, sometimes competition is not so friendly. Once in a while, the competition sounds like, “How can I make this person less appealing so I can get promoted instead?” “She’s pretty, but I have better [insert feature] than she does.” It can even sound like, “I always come in last; what’s wrong with me? I know everyone else is more qualified than I am.”
Have you been there? I know I have.
Ungodly competition has taunted us since the fall of mankind. The serpent beguiled us into thinking we could be equal with God, obtaining knowledge that was meant only for the Father.
On many occasions, I have seen and experienced how unhealthy competition can wreak havoc on relationships. I’ve witnessed it rip apart siblings, co-workers, church leaders, friends, parents and children, husbands and wives.
The Lord doesn’t desire you to be bound by divisive or prideful competition. In the longest recorded prayer in the Bible, Jesus prayed that we would be one, just as He and the Father are one (John 17:21). He longs for us to love each other and use our gifts to edify His kingdom together.
So does this mean you should never compete?
One way or another, you will engage in some level of competition. However, having God’s objective and the truth of His Word is key.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25 NIV).
Amen!
When your identity is secured in Christ, you can view perceived losses and wins as opportunities to give God glory. Your ultimate goal is to let a defeated world know that in Jesus, we already have the victory. And He gives us an eternal reward!
Living in Revival, Vitality, and Mission
Today, ask God to reveal anything in your heart that needs to be pruned. Meditate on Psalm 139:23-24.
Take time to confess to the Lord anything He uncovers, and ask for His forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
Ask God to bring healing to any hurt or heartbreak you have (Psalm 147:3).
Ask the Lord to use you to be an encouragement to someone else who needs it.