Sports Maturity: Competing as an AthleteSample
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Day 1: Comparison/Jealousy
Thoughts for Further Reflection
Scripture has a lot to say about the effects of jealousy, envy, comparison, and selfishness. For example, envy causes bone rot (Proverbs 14:30). Talk about hurting your game and making you injury prone! But the scripture I shared in the video—that jealousy and selfishness are demonic—is a real eye-opener. It means that you’re opening doors to the demonic when you choose to operate in jealousy and selfishness!
Prayer
God, thank you for opening my eyes to the effects of comparison and its terrible fruit. Help me to pay careful attention to my own work, running my own race that you’ve called me to. Let my life not disqualify others because I didn’t stay in my lane, and let my life not be marred by my own failure to follow your rules, and therefore, disqualify myself. Amen.
Main Idea
As an athlete, I compete to win the eternal prize and a legitimate earthly prize, one not marred by harming myself or harming others.
About this Plan
![Sports Maturity: Competing as an Athlete](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F44132%2F1280x720.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Competition can be harmful when it becomes a source of worship for you—either you worship the glory itself or what the title of "athlete" gives you, things like money, influence, or identity. If you don’t know from the outset what you’re competing for, you’ll miss the real prize and be easily enticed away from your original passion for the game and the full use intended for your athletic gifts.
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