Become a Good Thinker

for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. Proverbs 23:7

With practice, you can become a good thinker. Observe two things: 1) Good thinkers have foresight. ‘The plans of the diligent lead to profit’ (Proverbs 21:5). The word diligent means ‘to work, study, and plan’. You don’t stumble into success and figure it out afterwards. Whether you’re in business or ministry, your level of success will increase dramatically if you place a high value on good thinking. Novelist Victor Hugo wrote, ‘A small man is made up of small thoughts.’ People who don’t practice good thinking usually find themselves at the mercy of circumstances – or other people’s thoughts. Unable to solve problems, they find themselves facing the same obstacles over and over. And because they don’t think ahead they’re habitually in reaction mode. An old German proverb says, ‘Better an empty purse than an empty head.’ Good thinkers overcome difficulties, including lack of resources that often leave poor thinkers at the mercy of good thinkers. In As a Man Thinketh, James Allen says, ‘All that a man achieves or fails to achieve, is a direct result of his thoughts.’ Do you believe that? If you do, you’ll place a high value on good thinking and make it a priority in your life. 2) Good thinkers look for the best, not the worst. They live by this scriptural principle: ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things’ (Philippians 4:8).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me think about those things that are good and honorable – those things that are directed by You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen