Comments on: Competitive? Who Me?

By: Chris for Christ

Chris for Christ — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 09:20:25 +0000

Our culture has conditioned us, programmed us, it changes us and often we are blind to the direction it pushes us. Knowing this makes me angry, that I am so controlled. I was one of five children, five years between the first and last – our report cards were compared, we were ranked in order of marks in our class, we played sports where the focus was on whether we came first or last, advertising tells us what is beautiful and what is not – and so it goes on. From this I learnt that ‘when we compare ourselves with one another we are without understanding’ (Paul in Bible); also we are precious and useful in God’s sight regardless of how we rate and rank – we just need to keep our eyes on Him who shows us the way for us. Now this doesn’t mean I don’t have stuff to work on, I do, and by God’s power and enabling He will change me to be what He wants of me – well Galations 5:22, 23 highlights what God’s aspirations are for me – I am satisfied with that. But the tension, the struggle of inferiority does at times reemerge till I rest on my status in Christ.

By: ACBoydston

ACBoydston — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:58:28 +0000

Oh my, (don’t get puffed up) but I am so glad #3 didn’t win!

Similarly to being overly competitive, I tend to think I am smarter than most other people and that somehow makes me better. In fact, I think that is when being competitive is bad: when the goal is to prove that you are better and more worthy than the other. Healthy competition is when you are tryin to win, in large part, to bring out the best in your opponent. You try to win because that stretches and grows your opponent the most. Trying to win should be done for your opponent’s sake.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:01:32 +0000

Haha! Yes. This is me. I beat people all the time who have no idea we’re competing. This competitive spirit may be sinful. As Lee said, it may not be sinful. You appear to have examined yourself well, and now it’s something to laugh about.

By: Cherylyn Kettel

Cherylyn Kettel — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 19:54:09 +0000

Thanks Lee, that is a good point and it makes me feel a bit better about my competitive drive.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 19:03:58 +0000

Great article, Cherylyn. I think my personal vice is spending WAY too much time on food blogs. I love ‘em.

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:31:52 +0000

This sounds a lot like me. I’m not nearly as competitive as I used to be. I think God puts that competitive drive in us. If we think we can do a better job, we should try. God certainly doesn’t condone mediocrity and told us, “Whatever thy hand finds to do, do it with thy might.” So I think as long as we’re not putting others down or offending people a competitive drive is a positive.