Competition. Good or Bad?

Sometimes there is good, healthy competition that will challenge and inspire you to "step up your game" and help you get out of a rut but, today I am talking about unhealthy competition that hurts you and others. 

Competition is nothing more than being fearful that what you see happening in other people's lives is not going to happen for you. Some people get paralyzed and some lose trust in God and feel like they need to exercise control and do whatever it takes, even at the cost of friendships and the timing of God. 

Once you are responding in fear, you can not operate in love. The word says "there is NO fear in love, because perfect love cast out all fear" So, your motives; whether intentional or not become all about "you" and not considering how other people feel or what the outcome will be. When you are walking in love, it's never about you, love gives preference, thoughtfulness and consideration to others.

Philippians 2:3-4 says, 

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others

If Jesus preferred US over himself, shouldn't we consider the same?

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

Competition can only take place when it's between two people, so when you are operating in the "spirit" of competition, you automatically create a rivalry with others, challenging them, and now there is a division that is trying to take place in your relationships. Which, is harmful for yourself and the kingdom of God.

What do you do when you feel competition gripping your heart?

1. Immediately recognize and discern your own heart.  Other people will feel your competitive heart, but you are the only one that can be truthful with yourself and make the decision to adjust your heart from fear to love.
2. Become OTHERS conscience. When you feel the need to think and do for yourselves, stop and look to see what you can do to help or promote someone else. Remember, it's not about you! 

Leadership 101: What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you. The old golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you"

Remember,there is most likely a person in your life that has dreams and desire's within them and they may be the one is that is parlayed, feeling like it could never happen. Maybe, you are just the one to help! There is no greater joy then helping someone fulfill their dreams, even at the cost of putting your's in the hands of God to do it.

You will never go wrong by walking in love preferring others! 

Don't Quit? Why?

The people who need to hear the words "DON'T QUIT" are the ones who say, "I don't want to hear 'don't quit', one more time", "you don't understand", "I've given it my all, I've trusted all I can trust". 

Maybe you can relate with Elijah who had great faith, but..

Look at 1 Kings 18:41-43

 41Now Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the roar of a heavy shower.”42So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down on the earth and put his face between his knees.43He said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.”

Looking at Elijah's stature at this moment, might tell us, that even though he spoke with great authority to Ahab, the Word and Will of God; he might be concerned with the fulfillment of what God had spoken.  "There was nothing", no manifestation of what God had promised. Where was God, where was His promises, why isn't it happening? Why me God??  Does that sound familiar?

BUT Elijah didn't give UP!  

And he said, “Go back”!!!! seven times. Keep looking, don't give up, My God is faithful! Even though, in his flesh, he may have been afraid it wouldn't happen. He HAD to trust God at His Word.

Promise Fulfilled:
44It came about at the seventh time, that he said, “Behold, a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea!

Seven: being the number of perfection! In GOD's perfect timing, not ours, HE fulfilled His promise!

You are CLOSER now than you have ever been! Keep moving, Keep trusting!!

I love this quote I found:

When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”
- Author Unknown