No Comparison

Kerry O’Neill

READY

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.” — Galatians 6:4

SET

My first year of playing basketball at a university was one of the first times I ever faced sitting on the bench. My single goal was more playing time and, ultimately, a starting position. The problem was that JP was an older, bigger and stronger teammate playing in front of me. I saw JP as an obstacle, and I saw his playing poorly or getting into foul trouble as good news because it meant more playing time for me.

The culture of sports is almost often one of comparing and competing. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Jesus once said: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10). Joy and life are stolen, killed, and destroyed from sports with an unhealthy understanding of competition.

When competition is viewed as a striving together, an individual player has a growth mindset and an abundance mentality. Another player's success is not seen as a threat but quite the opposite—it is celebrated as inspiration that success is possible for others as well.

Legendary basketball coach, John Wooden, said his father taught him never to try to be better than someone else. Rather, he was to give his greatest effort to be the best version of himself. Ultimately, competition should become a means of two opponents drawing the best out of each other and both becoming the best version of themselves.

GO  

• Do you struggle with comparing yourself to others?  
• How has that kept you from being your best?

WORKOUT

Luke 18:9–14; John 21:20–22

OVERTIME

"Lord, I need Your help to focus on pleasing You without comparing myself to others. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may focus on loving You and loving others. Amen."