Who Is Your Competition?
-An exclusive excerpt from Allen’s new book-
Comparison is toxic.
When we compare our achievements or pursuits to others or even to us in another season, it either deflates our hearts (mine isn’t as good) or inflates our ego (mine is best).
Jealousy is often at the heart of comparison. In Genesis, we see what happens with the first two brothers on earth, Cain and Abel, when one rages because God looks at the other’s offering with favor.
God spoke to Cain: “Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won’t you be accepted? And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.” (Genesis 4:6-7 MSG)
Another person’s victory is hard to celebrate when it is interpreted as your loss. If you sense this is at play, find ways to genuinely compliment those you see as your competition. At the deepest level, we aren’t competing with others as much as ourselves to be our best. Embracing this will help you stop measuring your efforts by what others achieve. Their work is based on their journey. Not yours. Pursue your passion with fierce intentionality as you run toward what makes you come alive rather than getting stuck on a treadmill chasing their version of success.
So don’t try to be like (fill in the blank). That person’s style and creations already exist. It was original the first time, not when others imitate it. Each of us has a unique voice. A distinct way of bringing something new to life.
What you do should look different from everyone else’s efforts—because you aren’t them. It should even look different from what you did last year—because you are growing. In creation, God continually made new things, whether mountains, sea otters, oceans, or oak trees. Bring your original ideas to the world. Let your creations blaze with God’s trueness and your unique signature. That’s what we need.
Comparison is a Glitch Maker. Here’s your Glitch Breaker.
Are you running the race you were born to run? If not, you’ll eventually burn out, because you’re stuck on someone else’s treadmill rather than God’s design for your life.
(From The Creativity Glitch: How to Stop Being Stuck, Find Your Groove, & Create with God.Copyright © 2026 Allen Arnold.)
This reading was crafted to encourage your pursuit of story and creativity with God. Your donation makes this crowd-funded initiative possible. You can support it via PAYPAL (or by check to Allen Arnold at PO Box 62841, Colorado Springs, CO 80962).
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