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A review by sipho_md
The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Andy Stanley
4.0
A short book about a simple principle - intention, not direction, determines destination. Put differently, the path you are on and not the path you want to be on, determines where you will end up. Very well written and extremely practical - trade mark Andy Stanley.
Key Takeaways
Embracing the principle of the path will empower you to identify the paths that lead to the destinations you desire, while avoiding regret.
- Principles are neither good or bad, they just are
- You can leverage the principle of the path for your benefit or ignore it to reap a harvest of regret.
- The principle of the path follows you. Its not a law. You can break a law. But the principle has the power to break you
- Psalm 16:11.
Direction - not intention - determines your destination
- Generally speaking, people have directions that need to be changed as opposed to problems that need to be fixed
- We will win or lose in life based on the paths we choose
- Matthew 7:13; 1 Kings 11:1-11.
If you want to move in a certain direction, you have to choose the right path
- Most people choose paths that do not lead in the directions they want to go
- We are quick to ask for forgiveness but slow to repent and walk away from sin
- Choosing the wrong path can cost you precious years
- Proverbs 7:6-27; Jeremiah 6:16.
The prudent react to what they see on the horizon
- We tend to take the path of least resistance
- The prudent act as if then is now (ie as if the future is the present)
- At some point, it is impossible to sidestep consequences. Being forgiven doesn't override consequences
-Proverbs 27:12; Psalm 73:1-20.
To find the path that will take you where you want to go, break the cycle of self-deception
- We are not on a truth quest
- When you are willing to come clean with yourself about the uncomfortable truth behind your choices, you're on the verge of freedom
- Jeremiah 17:9-10; John 8:32.
Choosing the right path begins with submitting to the One who knows whats best for you better than you know whats best for you
- Submission, not talent or information, is the key to good decisions
- 1 Kings 3:7-13; Proverbs 3:5-6.
You can never accomplish the will of God by breaking the law of God, violating the principles of God or ignoring the wisdom of God
- Your decision making environments are not emotionally neutral
- It is almost impossible to gain the perspective you need to choose the paths that take you where you want to go in emotionally charged environments
- 1 Samuel 24:4-7; 1 Samuel 3:3-23.
You will never reach your full potential without tapping into the wisdom of others
- The herd assumption is assuming that because everyone you know is doing something the same way, it must be all right
- It is always wise to learn what we can from people whose lives and lifestyles reflect our own goals and aspirations
- Successful people know what they don't know and they are quick to go to people who do know
- Pray for wisdom and then seek outside assistance.
What gets our attention determines our direction and our destination
- The things that grab our attention are often things we should avoid
- Intentionality fuels our decision to give certain things our attention
- A sense of loss keeps you from paying attention to the things that deserve your attention and would serve you best in the future
- Proverbs 4:25-27; Matthew 14:24-31.
When it dawns on you that your dreams can't come true, the best response is to lean hard on the One who allowed your disappointment to occur
- Some things are never going to happen for us
- God can be trusted but not manipulated
- The only option other than submitting to God is to run from the Only One who can give comfort
- 2 Samuel 7:1-7.
Key Takeaways
Embracing the principle of the path will empower you to identify the paths that lead to the destinations you desire, while avoiding regret.
- Principles are neither good or bad, they just are
- You can leverage the principle of the path for your benefit or ignore it to reap a harvest of regret.
- The principle of the path follows you. Its not a law. You can break a law. But the principle has the power to break you
- Psalm 16:11.
Direction - not intention - determines your destination
- Generally speaking, people have directions that need to be changed as opposed to problems that need to be fixed
- We will win or lose in life based on the paths we choose
- Matthew 7:13; 1 Kings 11:1-11.
If you want to move in a certain direction, you have to choose the right path
- Most people choose paths that do not lead in the directions they want to go
- We are quick to ask for forgiveness but slow to repent and walk away from sin
- Choosing the wrong path can cost you precious years
- Proverbs 7:6-27; Jeremiah 6:16.
The prudent react to what they see on the horizon
- We tend to take the path of least resistance
- The prudent act as if then is now (ie as if the future is the present)
- At some point, it is impossible to sidestep consequences. Being forgiven doesn't override consequences
-Proverbs 27:12; Psalm 73:1-20.
To find the path that will take you where you want to go, break the cycle of self-deception
- We are not on a truth quest
- When you are willing to come clean with yourself about the uncomfortable truth behind your choices, you're on the verge of freedom
- Jeremiah 17:9-10; John 8:32.
Choosing the right path begins with submitting to the One who knows whats best for you better than you know whats best for you
- Submission, not talent or information, is the key to good decisions
- 1 Kings 3:7-13; Proverbs 3:5-6.
You can never accomplish the will of God by breaking the law of God, violating the principles of God or ignoring the wisdom of God
- Your decision making environments are not emotionally neutral
- It is almost impossible to gain the perspective you need to choose the paths that take you where you want to go in emotionally charged environments
- 1 Samuel 24:4-7; 1 Samuel 3:3-23.
You will never reach your full potential without tapping into the wisdom of others
- The herd assumption is assuming that because everyone you know is doing something the same way, it must be all right
- It is always wise to learn what we can from people whose lives and lifestyles reflect our own goals and aspirations
- Successful people know what they don't know and they are quick to go to people who do know
- Pray for wisdom and then seek outside assistance.
What gets our attention determines our direction and our destination
- The things that grab our attention are often things we should avoid
- Intentionality fuels our decision to give certain things our attention
- A sense of loss keeps you from paying attention to the things that deserve your attention and would serve you best in the future
- Proverbs 4:25-27; Matthew 14:24-31.
When it dawns on you that your dreams can't come true, the best response is to lean hard on the One who allowed your disappointment to occur
- Some things are never going to happen for us
- God can be trusted but not manipulated
- The only option other than submitting to God is to run from the Only One who can give comfort
- 2 Samuel 7:1-7.