THINK AHEAD
Thank God! Before We Think Ahead
Before I summarise this book, thank God for the great winter weather because I love snowflakes. Americano Coffee (3$ + 0.95$ tip) at one of the local vintage-type coffee places (Heritage Coffee) is an additional blessing. Coffee fuels my mind and God’s grace helps me to learn, review and equip others.
Introduction
This book summary is going to transform us. It will change our decision-making process. It will help us think ahead to pre-decide our escape plan and succeed by finishing well. It will also lead to having the opportunity to rewire our minds and become more faithful, impactful and influential. About the Author: Craig Groeschel is a bestselling author in New York and one of the most influential pastors and leaders in our contemporary World. He also contributed to building the You-version App together with Bobby Gruenewald. So, I thought I must unpack Craig’s book without any further procrastination habits. I just confessed!
Summary of the Book
Craig helps his readers learn from each of his chapters with interesting life stories, illustrations, biblical passages, and some personal confessions from real-life experiences. Outcomes of those life experiences lead Craig to help others plan or think ahead, escape the sin trap, and succeed.
Our Failure to Make Quality Decisions
Craig highlights that we all fail to make quality decisions for our lives because of our flaws. We eat more, we procrastinate, we waste time, we hurt people, we don’t exercise and we don’t read our Bibles & we don’t pray. So, Craig attempts to solve the problem of bad decision-making by highlighting three technical answers. The enemies of our bad decisions:
We’re Overwhelmed: He quotes that the experts estimate that we “all make 35,000 decisions a day.” So, it can be overwhelming & very tiring and “as the volume of decision increases the quality of decisions decreases.” “Cognitive scientists call it decision fatigue.”
We’re Afraid: Craig highlights a fancy phrase “Analysis Paralysis” to explain our fear of making decisions. Like “we look at all the options and then freeze up out of fear that we’ll make a wrong decision. More exacerbated for Christians because we try to discern the will of God so that we can have the best outcome. But sometimes we don’t decide at all. Which is also the enemy of progress.”
We’re Emotional: The first-most enemy of excellent decisions. Because emotions overrule logic, like “logic calls our attention not to sin, but emotions trigger us to get into it.” So, Craig highlights solutions for the three Major Problems mentioned above:
Something New: Craig mentions the solution by pointing out that we must not wait for these three enemies to wreck our quality decision-making. Instead, we must ask God to help us see what we decide now is what we will do later. So, don’t be stuck thinking “I’ve always been this way, always done these things. It is what it is, I am what I am.” Instead, we need to believe what God says “But forget all that it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new” (Isa. 43:18-19). Craig Highlights Daniel’s convicting example of not participating in the king’s fancy food table to defile his values because Daniel’s “values were determined by God, not by others.” Craig would encourage that we need to imitate Daniel and pre-decide our commitment to God like Daniel did.
Counterfeiting the Vibes of Sin
Craig confesses his hatred against his sin with conviction by explaining the vibes of temptations that subtle sirens call. They whisper! They start with a thought, imagination, and justification to indulge in it and then we make a choice. We sin! And sin might be fun as it promises satisfaction. But eventually, it robs us of what we want most. It leads us away from God and we miss God’s best! So, Craig smartly highlights that we all make sinful choices because we are only open to two options: Fight against temptation or Give in to Temptation. However, Craig mentions that we could pick the option God has for us. “Pre-Decide to Avoid Temptation.”
Being Ready: Craig also gives his testimony of getting rid of his sinful habit of getting drunk and how he has disguised himself in the past even after becoming Christ's follower. But he learned that it was because of his ignorance of his vulnerability. He lacked being ready. However, after discovering the strategy of being ready ahead of time, Craig succeeded in not getting drunk anymore. Craig also highlights the horrifying reality of the existence of the enemy who is not a fictional character. Satan is real and is looking for opportunities to devour “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).“You matter to God, so the devil wants to destroy you.” So, Craig gives an Action plan: Watch & Pray to counter the enemy's strategies against us. Pre-decide to be ready “so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Move the Line: Craig's example of Samson may sound like an old alarm, however, the conviction hold waits with the warning Craig highlights “not to put the line in the wrong place” as Samson did. Craig reminds us of the strong leadership of Samon with his great massive strength. But as we all know Delilah destroyed him with her seductive persistence. So, Samson failed to keep the decrees of the Lord “Don’t marry the unbeliever” & “Don’t cut your hair.” A great reminder with a warning for all the potential & future influential youth & young adults. Therefore, considering the younger generation, Craig also gives brief holistic advice for dating. Particularly addressing the seriousness of building dating lines to prevent individuals from sinning. Restraining from hookups in clubs after getting drunk. Craig calls it self-destructive like the tortured version of Groundhog Day & The Hangover.
Craig also suggests that if someone is struggling, he/she should seek help. He calls out to learn that if someone can’t handle the temptation, then he/she must not put himself/herself into those tempting situations. Craig gives alarming advice by saying, “Save yourself from financial losses, integrity crises, productivity, shame, guilt, and regret. You won’t live in shame. You will take your life back.”
Magnify the Cost of Sinning: Craig continues to explain about sin. He wants his audience to understand that before sinning, the enemy (Satan) would minimise the consequences. But reality sets in after indulging in sin, our sin is magnified by whispers of Satan. Guilt and shame are triggered! There is a great sense of guilt that will haunt you! Proverbs 27:12 NLT “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”
So, Craig brings attention to Joseph's example of running away from temptation. An excellent way of saying no to temptation. Craig explains that certainlyJoseph was not strong, however, he was ready with the wisdom to escape the sin trap. So, for the conviction of his readers, Craig points out 1 Corinthians 6:18 “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.” “God gives us escape every time we feel temptation. Pre-decide: Move the line to avoid the temptation altogether. Magnify the cost, so the temptation loses its luster. Map out escapes, so if we are hit by temptation, we know exactly what we’ll do.”
Weak Spot: Craig also highlights how Satan picks on us for our weak spots. Just like Potiphar’s wife, Satan will keep coming. Even Craig confesses his vulnerability. But with an escape-disciplined plane. Craig decided never to travel alone. Never be alone with the opposite sex. He is also fully accountable for all his digital gadgets. He’s aware that the enemy wants to tempt and destroy everything: marriage, reputation, friendships etc. So, he would encourage all to pre-decide and know our God-given escape plan.
Our Devotion to Jesus
Craig also highlights the importance of checking what is deep inside of us. Especially when we are under pressure, do we swear? If yes, then this would be an alarm. We would then all need to work on our devotions with Jesus. We need to know “God is first and this is not just for our social media accounts. Because that won’t help. We need to go deeper. We need to put God first. But if we don’t, then nothing will work right. Secondly, as a Pastor, Craig confesses that sometimes we all end up devoting ourselves to pleasing people, instead of being devoted to Jesus. So, he addresses the need to bring our faithful passion to Jesus.
Craig also encourages the importance of making God our priority. Setting the foundation for a life that seeks His will above our Worldly pursuits. So, he points out to scriptures like Matthew 6:24 and Matthew 6:33. A reminder that we cannot serve both God and money. Encouraging us to place God’s kingdom first in all we do. Additionally, Craig also point to Colossians 3:2, which calls us to focus on the eternal Father rather than earthly concerns, forming a mindset aligned with God’s purposes.
Craig also suggests that our devotion to Jesus impacts how we live, make decisions, and use resources, underscoring that every choice, from finances to relationships, should honour God. He discusses the idea of “godly convictions,” which include compassion for others, a desire for justice, and grieving for our sins. He mentions that “true devotion helps us avoid a life of spiritual emptiness and instead fills us with purpose and confidence, gradually transforming us to be more like Christ.”
Sometimes Distraction can be Destructive: Craig explains how worldly influences can pull us away from God, as illustrated by the Greek meaning of “distraction” as something that “pulls apart.” Distractions, even good things, can hinder our devotion if they interfere with our relationship with God. He uses examples like mobile devices, noting that constant phone usage and social media can undermine spiritual focus. To counteract this, Craig encourages practical steps like turning off phones, limiting screen time, and committing to Bible study.
So, Craig advocates for creating intentional rhythms for spiritual growth, inspired by St. Augustine’s “rule of life,” where practices like prayer, fasting, and reading Scripture are pre-decided to help deepen our connection with God. He advises having a dedicated time and place for spending undistracted time with God, similar to how Jesus would go to solitary places to pray (Mark 1:35).
Finally, Craig emphasises on faithfulness as a core virtue that honours God and aligns with His character. Citing Habakkuk 2:4, he cautions against self-reliance and pride, instead promoting humility and dependence on God. He calls for a life of service, encouraging believers to use words that uplift (Ephesians 4:29) and to embody grace, forgiveness, and generosity, as expressed in Philippians 2:14-15. Craig concludes by urging us to be “compelled by the Spirit,” taking risks in faith as Apostle Paul did, trusting God even when the future is uncertain.
We Are Influencers
Craig emphasizes Jesus’ words: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world” (Matt 5:13-14). As believers, we are called to influence others through our words, prayers, and example. So, Craig encourages us to pray not only for our friends who are lost but also for ourselves so that we can make the most of every opportunity. Like Paul’s advice to “devote yourself and be watchful.” So, we should pray for moments to share the mystery of Christ and intercede for other believers and those far from God.
Influence also comes through setting a strong example, as the disciples did. By being “salt and light,” we are called to live lives that lead others toward transformation. Craig encourages us to model Christ’s love and compassion in our daily actions, inspiring others to seek God and follow His ways.
Our words are also a powerful means of influence. Craig points to Jesus’ approach starting with the everyday needs and concerns of people before moving into deeper spiritual truths. Like Jesus with the woman at the well, we’re encouraged to engage in gracious conversations rather than monologues, meeting people where they are and gradually guiding them toward God’s love and truth. Like from superficial conversation to personal conversation and then supernatural or spiritual conversations.
Living Generously
Craig highlights Isaiah 32:8, which says, “But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.” He believes the secret to happiness isn’t in getting more, but in giving. Studies even show that people who give to charity feel happier than those who don’t. So, Craig argues that our consumer-driven culture won’t bring us real joy, but that true happiness comes when we give because God blesses our generosity. Craig would also encourage us not to wait for a time when we have more to start giving. Because generosity isn’t about how much we have; it’s about the heart behind it. Learning to be generous, especially when we have little, helps us trust God more. He reminds us of God’s example of generosity God gave His Son for us. If God is generous, then we should be as well, finding our identity in Jesus by being generous.
Finally, in this section, Craig contrasts two ways of living: The Worry Cycle and the Faith Cycle. The Worry Cycle leads us to earn, spend, lack margin, worry, and repeat. The Faith Cycle, however, involves earning, giving, receiving God’s blessings, building faith, and repeating. And the outcome of giving to God our first and best, results in our trust in Him to bless the rest. So, Craig challenges us not only to raise our standard of living but also our standard of giving. He also testifies that after learning to give generously, the outcome is that we become more blessed.
Inconsistency Anonymous
Craig talks about the struggle many of us face with inconsistency in different areas of life like eating, exercising, parenting, saving money, praying, reading the Bible, and keeping in touch with loved ones. Proverbs 25:28 says, “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Without self-control, we’re more likely to give in to temptations, harmful behaviours, and addictions. Craig reminds us that it’s not what we do occasionally that defines us; it’s what we do consistently. He highlights the example of Daniel, whose consistent prayer life gave him unshakable faith, confidence, and strong leadership, even under threat.
Craig also suggests a shift in our thinking from “willpower” to “why power.” Willpower alone will eventually fade, but a strong “why” will keep us grounded. He encourages us to dig deep and identify the deeper reasons behind our goals and actions, as our “why” keeps us steady. Craig believes that our motivation should be rooted in prayer and a real connection with God, allowing us to draw on a source of strength that goes beyond temporary willpower.
He warns about the dangers of perfectionism too, which often stops us from trying at all due to fear of making mistakes. Instead, Craig suggests that we “plan to fail” because failure is part of the process. Perfectionism can make us focus too much on the end goal, causing burnout and inconsistency. Instead, he encourages us to fall in love with the journey itself, not just the outcome. Because true success comes from doing what we need to do each day, even when it feels repetitive or unexciting. So, consistency isn’t about a single event but about building momentum over time. It might not seem glamorous, but sticking with the process is what ultimately brings real, lasting growth.
Finishing Well
Craig encourages us to stay strong and not quit, especially when we face tough battles or feel like things aren’t working out. He says, “If you’re not done, you’re not done. God has more for you. Even in times of discouragement, God always has more in store for us more love to give, more people to help, more ministries to start, more businesses to launch, and more friendships to make.” He explains that every choice we make is a vote for our future. Each time we stand firm in the Lord and push through hard times, we’re voting to become someone who finishes strong. Craig urges us to decide ahead of time before we even start that we won’t give up. This commitment, or “grit,” is what leads to success because it’s the inner strength that keeps us going, even when things get tough.
To illustrate this, Craig shares the story of Derek Redmond, who tore his hamstring during the 400-meter race at the 1992 Olympics but was helped by his father to finish the race. This powerful moment reminds us that, like Derek’s dad, our Heavenly Father is always by our side, ready to help us finish our race. In Isaiah 46:4, God says, “I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along.” By keeping our eyes on Jesus, as Hebrews 12:2 encourages, we can finish with perseverance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Craig Groeschel’s book serves as a guide for building a life grounded in intentionality, resilience, and faithfulness to God. Through vivid storytelling, personal confessions, and biblical insights, Craig encourages us to make wise, proactive decisions and avoid the traps of sin by staying aligned with God’s values. He highlights the importance of cultivating consistent spiritual practices, deepening our devotion to Jesus, and fostering a mindset of generosity and humility. Ultimately, Craig reminds us that finishing well requires grit, reliance on God, and a clear sense of purpose. By applying these principles: pre-deciding, living with conviction, resisting distractions, and remaining faithful, we can lead lives that not only honour God but also positively influence others. Like Derek Redmond’s father in the story, Craig reassures us that our Heavenly Father is always there to carry us through, helping us run our race with strength and perseverance. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we’re empowered to finish well, standing firm in faith, no matter the challenges we face.
