Ever seen crabs in a barrel? When one crab tries to climb out, the others pull it back down—not even because they want to escape, but because they can’t stand to see another one getting out.

Sound familiar?

That same ugly pattern shows up in friendships, families, churches, and businesses. Someone starts shining, and instead of celebrating, people throw shade. Instead of clapping, they criticize. And instead of rising up together, they pull others down.




You don’t have to fight for a seat when God already reserved one with your name on it.
The Bible says, “Your gift will make room for you and bring you before great men” (Proverbs 18:16). That means your God-given gift is your divine access—not competition, not comparison, not clout-chasing.

If you constantly feel out of place, it may be because you’re operating in a space you were never called to.




It’s Giving Insecurity, Not Excellence

Let’s be real: the “crabs in a barrel” mindset is rooted in fear and comparison. It’s the belief that only one person can win, so we fight dirty for the spotlight. But that’s a lie straight from the pit.

🚫 You don’t have to cheat to win.

🚫 You don’t have to hate to shine.

🚫 You don’t have to steal someone else’s light.

God didn’t run out of favor when He made you.



📖 Let’s Go Bible: Romans 12:6

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”

Translation: You have your own lane.
You don’t need to merge into hers. God gave you a gift that nobody else can use the way you can. When you understand that, you stop competing and start collaborating.




🧠 Story Time: Two Bakers, One Block

There were once two women, both incredible bakers, who opened shops on the same street. One had fluffy cinnamon rolls that made people line up at 6 a.m. The other? Her sourdough could silence a room.

Instead of supporting each other, they became enemies. One spread rumors. The other tried to undercut prices. They tore each other down—and both businesses suffered.

One day, a food blogger visited the town. She had planned to do a piece on the city’s “battle of the bakers.” But what she wrote shocked them both.

“These women are so busy fighting that they don’t even realize they’re both brilliant. If they joined forces, they could dominate the industry.”

That woke them up. They met, repented, and eventually created a “Sweet + Savory” brunch collab that went viral.

They realized—two queens can win. Together.




💍 The Only Place Where One Means One

The only place in Scripture where exclusivity is commanded is marriage.

“The two shall become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:24

One husband. One wife. That’s a sacred lane. Outside of that? Sis, there’s room at the table.

This mentality of “if she’s doing it, I can’t” is a trick of the enemy. The truth is: if she’s doing it, you can too. Maybe not the same way. But your flavor, your anointing, your angle—that’s your assignment.






🌱 Make Your Own Gift Great

The enemy doesn’t want you to develop your gift. He’d rather you waste your time critiquing someone else’s.

Instead:

  • Cultivate your gift.

  • Sharpen your skill.

  • Stay in prayer about your purpose.

  • And celebrate those who are doing the same.

You don’t have to dim someone’s light to make yours shine. This isn’t a competition. It’s a Kingdom.




💬 Final Thoughts

You weren’t called to climb over people. You were called to rise with them.

Let’s break this crab-in-a-barrel curse. Let’s push each other up instead of pulling each other down. Let's be the generation that builds instead of breaks.

Because when you know who you are in Christ, you don’t panic when someone else wins. You praise.

And when your time comes, you’ll want those same hands that clapped for her to clap for you.

👑 Queen’s Note:

You are enough.
You are called.
And there's room for both your crown and hers.

Let’s stop fighting for space in the barrel.
And start owning our lanes like the royalty we are.