Competitiveness & Attitude

On By Tea With JenniferIn General, Inspirational, Spirituality

Today, I thought I’d share one of the things that has stood out to me recently. But before we do let’s grab our cuppa’s, treats & get comfy.

I’m enjoying a Berrylicious tea with a slice of home baked gf Banana & Blueberry loaf today, what’s yours my friend? Let’s begin…

At times I enjoy watching Quiz programs, why?

Because I like to test my general knowledge by answering each question asked by the host, to keep the little brain cells working.

I bomb out on many answers but the ones I do know I’m surprised where that knowledge has been hiding in the deep recesses of my mind. Lol!

However, in one particular sedate English program I noticed that many competitors actually come with a well thought out strategy.

Sometimes their strategy works, most times it doesn’t, for there is a element of chance apart from their general knowledge in this program.

However, what has really stood out to me is that while most are there to win, some are just there for the experience which is evident in their attitude.

It has been a lesson in the differing attitudes of those who are competitive & those who are not.

Are you Competitive?

I think this question would have many answering a strong Yes or No. But let’s ponder on the following scenarios to see whether your answer may change.

Scenario 1;

You’ve been training for a race/marathon; do you want to win or are you happy to be just a participant?

Scenario 2;

You’ve spent years working very hard to qualify for a certain position or promotion & yet someone trumps you at the post. How do you feel?

Scenerio 3;

You’ve been assisting in a church ministry for awhile, gaining valuable experience & insight.  And thought you would be the natural pick to head up that ministry when the leader announced they’re moving on,  but instead another person is put into that position & you’re overlooked. How do you feel?

You see different scenarios illicit different levels of competitiveness. And with competitiveness come certain emotions.

Before we look at those emotions, let’s take a look at the definition of Competitiveness;

  1. possession of a strong desire to be more successful than others.

    2. the quality of being as good as or better than others of a comparable nature.

Hmmmm! Those definitions are rather sobering, don’t you agree?

The Competitiveness that Stands out

As we look around the world we see what competitiveness can promote & engender.  While we may think that a little competition is okay & even healthy on some level especially in sports, careers or Academic endeavours.
However, when we look at it objectively, there is always a winner & thus always a loser, in other words some are on top while others are on the bottom. And I have to ask myself; is that okay?
At the moment we’re seeing several nations competing on the world stage for power, prestige & control. But mostly power & control!
We see devastation, loss of life, jealousies & all manner of deception trying to gain their dark
objectives. And this is NOT okay.
What is the measuring stick for Competitiveness?
Let’s see what God has to say about Competitiveness as there’s a well known account of the very first
incidence of it;
There were two farmers, one a Shepherd & the other a Pastoralist who grew crops. Both were very good at what they did & both had prospered.
In those days offerings were given on the altar to God, so the Pastoralist brought his offering to
the Lord from the fruit of the ground. The Shepherd brought the firstborn of his flock, the fat
portions for the Lord (he had sacrificed the lamb).
The Shepherd’s offering was well accepted by the Lord, the Pastoralist’s wasn’t. Why?
Well there’s a lot of inference & debate between Theologians as to why.
But as a retired Behavioural Therapist & Clinical Counselor it’s glaringly obvious to me in the following verses;
‘…Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. “Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen?
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.”…

Gen 4: 5 – 7 BSB

Cain, the Pastoralist, was instantly enraged at this rejection, with his demeanor instantaneously became dark & brooding.
God Himself noticed this & challenged Cain’s attitude explaining to him what he needed to do to correct it & warned him that if he didn’t, sin was crouching at the door of his heart to entrap him.
You see God saw the heart attitude of each of these farmers as they brought their offering to the
altar. One was humble in heart, Abel. And the other, Cain, was haughty with a questionable attitude which God already knew was just simmering under the surface ready to explode if he didn’t master it.
Sadly he didn’t listen to the Lord, his competitiveness reached it’s peak, he allowed his
jealousy to explode by killing his brother in a deliberate & premeditated act. Thus the first murder was recorded on planet Earth.
The full account of Cain & Abel is found in Genesis 4: 1 – 10
You see my friend attitudes around competition can get out of hand.
Checking our heart Attitude & Intent
When my children were growing up, at times their attitude would need challlenging, especially in the turbulent teen years. My call would be, ‘it’s time for you to go into your room & have an attitude check’.
And there are times we need to do the same before God.
Let’s ask ourselves; how our attitude is fairing at the moment, is there unforgiveness, a perceived rejection, envy, jealousy, a hurt or bad attitude just simmering under the surface that needs time in the room of prayer for an attitude check?

” Let each of you esteem & look upon & be concerned for not [merely] his own onterests, but also each for the interests of others.

Let this same attitude, purpose  & (humble) mind be in yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus [let Him be your example in humility]…”  Phil 2: 4-5 AMP 

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

Or in Prayer

© 2024 Jennifer M. Ross, All Rights Reserved.  Photo by RUN 4 FFWPU on pexels

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18 thoughts on “Competitiveness & Attitude”

  1. I’m not competitive at all. Well, I can look back to my teenage and young adult years and see competitiveness. There’s always going to be someone better at said “thing” than I am. But, I like learning new things and creating. My thought, words and creating are special to someone, I may not know who, but, God does and that’s okay with me. I think it’s so important for us to check our heart attitude and intent on a regular basis so that we don’t become haughty or boastful. We have to keep ourselves in check so that we align with and reflect Jesus.

    I appreciate you sharing this wonderful message at Sweet Tea & Friend’s this month.

    xo

    Reply

  3. I used to be more competitive when I was young, but as I’ve aged, I’ve mellowed with time. Maybe I’ve learned that enjoying the journey of the “game” is more important than a win at the end. 🙂

    Reply

  4. I don’t think of myself as being competitive, but when I look at my four sons and see the competitive streak in each of them and the different ways it manifests itself, I have to rethink my opinion about myself…

    Reply

    1. It’s interesting isn’t it Michele? When we start to really examine ourselves before the Holy Spirit,
      He reveals things we believed weren’t there…but it’s also freeing!
      Blessings to you my friend.

      Reply
  5. Joanne Viola's avatar Joanne Viola

    Jennifer, you have truly put competitiveness in its proper light. The definitions you shared are most sobering and reveal the ugliness of competitiveness. The story of Cain and Abel have shown us down through the ages exactly what can occur when competitiveness and jealousy are left unchecked. May we always examine ourselves to see if we need an attitude, or heart, realignment.

    Reply

  7. Here being #1 seems to be the only important thing. Since rarely is anyone #1 in most or any places, many people seem permanently aggrieved. This morning the Psalm refrain was “you are my inheritance O Lord.” A great corrective and comfort to all of us “runners up.”

    Reply

  8. Hi Jennifer. How very often that I need to have an attitude check. It is easier for me to check every other persons attitude rather than my own. Thank you for sharing your insights into God’s Word.
    Blessings, sweet friend!

    Reply

      1. Dear Jennifer, these are such good thoughts. It’s so easy to let the “pride of life” slip in and take over without our even being aware of it. Just a few minutes ago, the Lord moved in my own heart with such conviction over an issue. Thank you for your words of confirmation here. Blessings to you dear friend.

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