Ephesians 1:4-6, “And he chose us to be his very own, joining us to himself even before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence. For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace—for the same love he has for his Beloved One, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure!” (TPT)

Luke 15:25-32, “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ” (NKJV)

John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (NKJV)

• Write down one example of rivalry mentioned in the Bible.
• Can you think of a time past or present when you were functioning out of competition (rivalry, jealousy) with someone in your life?
• Lisa Bevere says, “Don’t spend your life trying to be someone else. No one has ever walked the planet who can represent God the way you can.” Ask the Lord what unique part of His heart that you represent on the earth. Write down what He says about you.
• Ephesians 4 says that Father God loves you with the same love with which He loves Jesus. What does this mean to you?

This week, take some time and invite the Holy Spirit into your awareness. With Him, honestly ask yourself these questions:

• Do I feel like I can’t be myself and still be accepted? Do I feel like I have to perform in order to fit in or earn favor?
• When I’m on social media, do I find myself wishing I were like someone else or living someone else’s life?
• When someone else is doing well, do I secretly wish them to be “brought down a notch”?
• Do I follow after outward success or am I content where God has positioned me?
• When I watch movies, TV, or sports do I romanticize the characters or players and compare my life to someone that isn’t real?
• Do I live vicariously through my children or anyone else in my life?
• Am I jealous of my spouse or my friends when they excel in an area where I do not?
• Do I need to be the one with all the answers because it makes me feel secure in my worth?
• Am I critical of others because I could do it better or because the church or business or neighbor down the street is doing it better?
• Do I find myself focusing on how life is not fair or believing that I am always getting the short straw?
• Do I have people in my life who I can be vulnerable with or do I keep a distance because I’m afraid they won’t like who I am?
• Can I go boldly before God with my flaws and insecurities and allow Him to speak into my life?

As you process these questions with the Lord, ask Him to come and remind you of the exact person that He created you to be. Ask Him for an action step or plan to erase the mindsets that would lead to these ways of thinking so that you can rewrite the instructions of your mind and heart in truth.