WF Pride

Focus on Unity and Humility

Chad Cottingham

Have you ever heard of the phrase “if I can’t have it, neither can you.” This train of thought is commonly referred to as ‘Crab Mentality’. You may have heard before as ‘crabs in the bucket’. This metaphor refers to a pot of crabs. Individually, the crabs could easily escape from the pot, but instead, they grab at each other in a useless “king of the hill” competition which prevents any from escaping and ensures their collective demise. The analogy in human behavior is sometimes claimed to be that members of a group will attempt to pull down, negate or diminish the importance of any member who achieves success beyond the others. This could be out of envy, selfishness or competitive feelings. The phrase has made accusing opponents of crab mentality a common form of defense against criticism. This term is broadly associated with short-sighted, non-constructive thinking rather than a unified, long-term, constructive mentality.

Unity does not just happen; we have to work at it. Often differences among people can lead to division, but this should not be the case. Have you learned to appreciate people who are different than you? Have you learned to encourage and support your spouse, your co-worker, and friends? Or do you pull them down and prevent them from escaping the bucket? Could it be possible that you are around crabs that are pulling you down and preventing you from being the person you want to be?

Life is too short to have a Crab Mentality. Rather than focus on what divides us, we should remember what unites us: one body, one Spirit, one future, one Lord, one faith, one God. The apostle Paul wrote the following message regarding unity and humility in Ephesians 4:1-4: Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. ~ NLT

Dear Lord, help us to concentrate on what unites us rather that what divides us. Let us demonstrate humility in which we put others needs ahead of ourselves. Help us to focus on You. It’s in Jesus name I pray, Amen.