I don't believe in competition.

Yes, exactly.

You read it right.

Even though I grew up in a sports environment, which notoriously pushes you towards competition, as I approach forty, I've realized that living constantly in a competitive mindset causes more harm than good.

Yes, I know, we are in the land of "second is the first loser" or "winning isn't everything; it's the only thing" or "if you're not first, you're last" so I get it, these words of mine may sound strange here.

But, after experiencing it firsthand and observing the lives of others, I’ve noticed that when this attitude is present, it’s usually because there’s a void to fill, a hole that says:

I’m not enough.

And while these competitive individuals are glorified and admired, I think the driving force behind these mechanisms of revenge on life is precisely this feeling of lack, of not being enough, not having enough, of.. living in scarcity.

Because if we live in scarcity, nothing ever seems enough.

We always want more.

And when you want more, you don’t enjoy what you have because you're always focused on what you’re missing.

The bigger house, the fatter bank account, the hotter girlfriend, the flatter stomach, the faster car.

The idea for this article came while listening to a podcast by Joel Osteen, a famous pastor/motivational speaker here in the United States.

'Nothing to prove,' I’ll include it at the end of the article. I recommend you listen to it."

What Joel talks about is that many people live in a constant state of "proving mode," feeling that their worth is tied to how well they perform, how successful they are, or how much they impress others.

This mindset leads to exhaustion constantly striving to outdo others or gain their approval.

The problem lies in seeking validation from external sources, such as friends, family, or society, rather than understanding one's true value.

True security comes from recognizing that we are created in the image of God, and our worth is not dependent on how we compare to others. When you understand this, you stop competing with others, chasing approval, or trying to prove that you are talented, successful, or worthy. You are already good enough, simply by being who you are.

Joel emphasizes that constantly seeking validation from others is a distraction from fulfilling your own purpose. Living to impress people or seeking their applause is like running on a treadmill—you put in the effort, but you don't actually move forward in your personal journey. Instead:

Focus on running your own race, celebrating the unique gifts and talents that you possess.

God's approval does not depend on performance. Just as Jesus was approved by God before he performed any miracles, we are already approved and loved. There's no need to prove your worth through your achievements or how others perceive you.

Ultimately, trying to impress or compete with others is futile. You may spend energy trying to prove your worth to people who don’t even care, and you can’t control what others think of you. Instead of wasting energy on validation from people, focus on the value you have in God's eyes.

Your destiny is not determined by people's opinions of you; it's determined by God’s plan.

We don't need to impress or validate our worth to others. We should focus on fulfilling our purpose, knowing that we are already approved, anointed, and loved.

A Hug.

M