By GARY ANDREWS
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Driving through the country the other day I noticed the words on a church’s front yard sign. It read, “You will never get ahead of someone you are trying to even with.” I thought to myself what a tremendous truth in these words.
So many of us go through life trying to be better than our neighbor or outdo someone in anything we try. It is human nature to be competitive in one form or another. Competitiveness is good when used in the correct form and not used in another person’s demise.
I remember growing up that I wanted to be the best at whatever I attempted. In sports I usually was one of the better players however when I came across someone that was better than me, I would slack up in my competitiveness or either drop out. I though the entire world knew I was the best and it should be evident to anyone I competed with and it was a given that I would be on top. It didn’t take me long to find out the world didn’t work this way and that I wasn’t the only one competing.
Many of us have found our self in similar situations when dealing with people, whether it is in business transactions or just friendly competitions. If we lose or feel we have been done wrong we sometimes go into a pattern of indecision or something even worse called holding a grudge. Holding a grudge against someone will only hurt you. Trying to get even or upstage someone that has done something to you or beat you in some type transaction will only keep you from doing the best you can in anything that you attempt.
Many times we spend more time trying to get even with someone and allow many opportunities of growth to pass us by. This is also time that we have lost and can never get back. Our prosperity relies on our attitude and desire to move forward instead of laterally toward what someone else is doing. We need to remember that we should forgive and forget.
All of us need to do the best we can at anything we try. If someone creates a problem for us we need to handle the problem or go around it. It should never get us into turmoil and keep us from looking ahead. There are always going to be someone who is going to try and ruin you or keep you from achieving your goal. When this happens remember what Paul said in Romans12:17; “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.”
When we have been offended or mistreated by someone, go to that person and try to make amends, however do not try and get even with them for their foolishness.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the time we have on this earth. Let us use this time to praise you and get along with our fellowman. Amen.
Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday – Leviticus 19:18; Monday – Colossians 3:12-14; Tuesday – Proverbs 20:22-23; Wednesday – 1 Peter 3:8-12; Thursday – Proverbs 24:28-29; Friday – Romans 12:17-21; Saturday – 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4.)
Gary Andrews is the author of Encouraging Words: 30-days in God’s Word. To obtain a copy go to his website www.gadevotionals.com.