Welcome back to the Insider Journal series on expanding our belief to achieve more than we’ve ever imagined. This series is anchored in Ephesians 3:20-21:
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”
Last time, we saw how entitlement—believing we deserve better—stunts growth and robs agency. Today, in Part 5, we’re wrapping up with this: When I compare and see I have less, I shrink the possibility of what I can achieve. Comparison is the enemy of joy, blinding us to opportunities. How do we love the gap between where we are and our God-sized vision?
Let me get real as a coach and fellow sojourner. The last three years, I’ve been wrestling with the gap between where The Master’s Program stands and my vision for it. My dream? To see 6,600 leaders come through TMP, each impacting 100 others, hitting a 2% tipping point to renew faith in the next generation across the U.S. But here’s where I stumbled: To go after this vision, I started comparing TMP to other leadership programs. What do they have that TMP doesn’t? Their incredible marketing, bigger budgets, size—it really made me wonder why TMP wouldn’t have the same. I’d scroll their sites, thinking, “What’s their secret sauce? What’s missing in us?” My joy tanked, vision blurred and I felt physically stuck, unable to see opportunities right in front of me. Comparison wasn’t just a mindset—it was a killjoy, shrinking my belief in what God could do through us.
This can be a big blocker for us as Kingdom leaders: comparison makes us believe we have less, robbing joy and blinding us to possibilities. It’s like a fog over our hearts, shrinking our vision. Ecclesiastes 4:4 warns, “And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” In our high-stakes world where we lead in the marketplace, family, and Kingdom, we compare metrics, titles, or impact, feeling deficient. This unbelief whispers, “You’re behind; you’re not enough.” It stalls Kingdom impact as we mimic others’ playbooks instead of leaning into God’s unique mission for each of us. We forget that God’s game is on percentages not on quantity. What percentage of what was in your control did you use for fruitful impact? As leaders balancing eternal perspective with daily pressures, comparison blocks the “immeasurably more” because we’re too busy eyeing others’ lanes to run our own race with joy.
So, what do we do about this? Love the gap between your current reality and the vision by shifting from comparison to conviction, anchoring in God’s unique vision for you. In Session 1 of The Master’s Program, we coach on perspective—seeing life through an eternal lens, not others’ highlight reels. Practically, audit your comparison traps: journal moments you feel “less than,” (like my program envy) and ask, “What’s God already doing in my lane?” Biblically, lean into 2 Corinthians 10:12 and see that even Paul had to work on this. Coach yourself: pray daily, “God, refocus me on Your vision; fill me with hope for my race.” Start small—list three unique strengths God’s given your work or family, then take one step to lean into them this week. For leaders, model conviction: share your vision authentically with teams, fostering cultures where unique callings trump carbon copy strategies.
The outcome? When we ditch comparison and love the gap, joy returns, and God’s power expands possibilities. I got out of the comparison game to play my own by engaging Chris Skiff, a catalytic mentor, to guide leaders considering TMP. Instead of chasing others’ marketing, we doubled down on what we do best—deep care for people. The result? New leaders are joining, stories of impact are multiplying, and my joy’s back, fueling belief in that 6,600-leader vision. Loving the gap didn’t shrink our mission—it opened eyes to God’s “immeasurably more,” igniting momentum beyond what I have seen!
Here’s the challenge: This week, spot one area where comparison steals joy—maybe a peer’s success or a rival’s growth. Prayerfully list three unique strengths God’s given you, take one step to use them, and journal the joy shift. Share with another TMP alum or email me to unpack what God sparks.
In the end, friends, comparison doesn’t just kill joy—it shrinks God’s vision for you. But loving the gap with conviction turns your race into His masterpiece, bursting with immeasurable glory. Thanks for joining this series—let’s keep running together.
In your corner,
Jeff
Refer someone to TMP: Click Here
Become a TMP Table Mentor: Email or Call Chris Skiff
TMP COHORTS STARTING SOON!
ORLANDO – January 2026
DALLAS/FT. WORTH – January 2026
NEWPORT BEACH – February 2026
CHARLOTTE – March 2026
VIRTUAL – March 2026
Contact Chris Skiff: chris.skiff@priorityliving.org or 805-440-1700
So true! It’s all about contentment with what God has in trusted us with and dis-contentment with not seeing the God-given vision fulfilled! Ambition, calling, vision are to be held with contentment. Great reminder as we head into another year when we clarify goals typically.
Good word Jon! Keeping those ambitions in tension with Godly contentment. Thank you!
The enemy knows that when we start comparing ourselves against others that we will usually become discontent and think we don’t have what it takes. We typically don’t unless we have God on our side. Jesus told us that Him all things are possible. Trust Him to do the impossible in your life, your family, your work, and your ministry.
Thank you, Steve! This is the way. The immeasurably more comes through God alone.