Can Your Gifts Flourish Without Becoming a Fight for Control?

A fellow missionary from England keeps an aquarium filled with beautiful fish. One day, I asked whether he had a Siamese fighting fish. Surprised by my question, he explained that he wanted several fish in his aquarium, so he had decided against adding a male betta.

Male Siamese fighting fish are known for their territorial behaviour. When two males share the same confined space, their striking beauty can quickly become overshadowed by aggression.

This conversation reminded me of the prophet Habakkuk. While wrestling with God about the violent oppression of Judah by the Babylonians, Habakkuk compares vulnerable people to fish without a ruler or protection:

“You have made mankind like the fish in the sea, like marine creatures that have no ruler.”—Habakkuk 1:14

Habakkuk struggles to understand why a sovereign and righteous God permits violent people to overpower others. Yet as he brings his questions honestly before God, his perspective begins to change. He does not receive a simple explanation, but he learns to trust God while waiting for justice.

Today, I invite you to explore a similar struggle for power through another biblical story: the life of Joseph in Genesis 37–39.

When Gifts Attract Unwanted Attention

Joseph was the younger brother who received an ornate robe from his father, Jacob. The robe was a visible expression of Jacob’s special affection, but it also exposed the unhealthy favouritism already present within the family.

Joseph then shared dreams suggesting that his family would one day bow before him. Scripture does not tell us why he shared them. Perhaps he was excited, unaware of how his words would affect his brothers, or still too young to carry such a significant revelation wisely.

Whatever his motivation, his brothers responded with growing jealousy and hatred.

Throughout Joseph’s story, different people attempt to gain or maintain control. Jacob displays favouritism. Joseph’s brothers use deception and violence. Traders sell Joseph into slavery. Potiphar’s wife uses accusation and manipulation. Again and again, Joseph becomes caught in other people’s struggles for power.

Yet God continues working beneath the surface. Joseph’s gifts are genuine, but they are not yet fully developed. Before those gifts can serve others, God shapes the character of the person carrying them. Through hardship, responsibility, waiting, and injustice, Joseph learns wisdom, restraint, perseverance, and dependence upon God.

Gifts Are Given to Serve

Perhaps you are also beginning to recognize the beautiful colours God has woven into your personality. Your creativity, compassion, leadership, discernment, hospitality, or ability to encourage others may be becoming more visible.

These gifts are expressions of grace, but they do not make us more valuable than anyone else. God does not give gifts so that we can dominate, impress, or compete with others. He gives them so that we can serve and produce fruit that brings life to the people around us.

Visible gifts may sometimes attract unwanted attention, comparison, misunderstanding, or jealousy. They may also tempt us to seek recognition or control.

That is why giftedness must grow alongside character.

As you reflect on Joseph’s story this week, consider these questions:

• Which gifts has God placed within you?

• How are you currently using them?

• Are they helping you serve others, or drawing you into competition?

• What areas of your character might God be developing so that you can carry your gifts wisely?

Your Heavenly Father delights in who He created you to be. He understands both the beauty of your gifts and the maturity required to carry them well. As you surrender your abilities to Him, He can teach you when to speak, when to remain silent, how to respond to opposition, and how to make decisions that produce good fruit.

You do not need to overpower anyone to fulfil God’s purpose for your life. You can trust Him to make room for the gifts He has given you.

The journey may contain unexpected twists, difficult relationships, or seasons in which your gifts seem overlooked. Yet, as Joseph’s story reminds us, God can continue shaping your character and preparing your gifts to become part of the solution someone else needs.

“I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” - Jeremiah 29:11 MSG