The Power of Spiritual Thinking

by Gordon Ferguson

AN INTERNAL REVOLUTION This is what Jesus produces, and that is what this book is all about. "The way you think determines the daily course of your life," says Gordon Ferguson. Our normal way of thinking is often negative, humanistic and selfish. Spiritual thinking is an entirely different approach that unleashes the power of God in our lives. In his down-to-earth style, Gordon calls us to do more than modify our behavior-we can experience an internal revolution that will, in turn, affect those around us. The Power of Spiritual Thinking will be just as helpful to the mature disciple as to the newest Christian. This updated Second Edition has five additional chapters

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Taylor Vegge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers the importance of and what it looks like to think spiritually vs carnally on different things like in radical forgiveness/love, the draw of sin, trials/suffering, emotions, evangelism, money, mistakes, disappointment, doctrinal matters and heaven.

This book was actually so helpful for me to shift my perspective in present situations, but also much to take note of to keep in my back pocket for the future.

Some key things:
- Responding righteously to hurts by forgiving/loving like Jesus is important for the refinement of our character, but it’s also more likely to lead the person to repentance. The greater the hurt forgiven, the greater impact on the one forgiven.
- In discipling, assume nothing. Understand with humility and compassion before prescribing.
- Character is built challenge by challenge and requires perseverance. “Our finest way of saying I love you to God is to simply stay in the arena — especially when the pain is great and the answers are few.” The harvest of sheaves, being our growth, won’t come without the choice to continue to sow in tears out of faith (psalm 126)
- Think spiritually on mistakes that they are a necessary part of growth, for us and for others. Don’t let our mistakes or others cripple us emotionally or spiritually. Repent, learn, move forward.
- Disappointment in someone lot living to their potential reveals selfishness in the one disappointed because it’s based on your expectations for the person. God feels compassion for us, not disappointment and we should as well. Self absorbed people take things personally.
- View everything through the lens of spiritual formation and the goal of Heaven. Everything in this life is working for our good to mold us into images of Jesus and to sanctify us for Heaven. We live for that and nothing else.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Romans 8:38-39

[James]

This book has a bunch of short chapters on a variety of subjects, giving advice on how to think spiritually in each case. Here are some of the chapters: Forgiveness, listening to the other side of the story, going through trials, emotions and spirituality, a look at ambition ("from God or Satan?"), money, escaping the performance trap (one of the most helpful chapters in my opinion), the power of negative thinking, "I was born this way!", dealing with dissapointment (in ourselves and in others), spiritual vs. doctrinal thinking, sentimentality (about people and salvation), heaven, faith. Overall this was a great read. Each chapter exists entirely on their own. Although each chapter was short, it gave some good food for thought for the day, and typically I read one or two chapters per day. A lot of it was just good reminders for my spiritual walk and how to deal with people, but also some great insights. Some of it is targeted toward people who are bitter and who need a mature look. I don't think a new disciple would understand everything written, but I suggest this to mature disciples and new disciples.

[Matteus Ricci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good little book on having a spiritual mindset. Found this helpful and practical. Nice quick read.