Stinkin’thinkin’
As I sit here at Metro Hospital in Grand Rapids this afternoon with my Orthopedic Doctor son (who ironically just underwent orthopedic surgery earlier today for an old football injury that has continued to plague him), I’ve been critically thinking about critical thinking. I honestly believe that our perceptions in life direct our pathway through life. As a counselor, I’ve worked a lot with people with issues and perspectives that are so out of whack that I’ve often shared with them they are a victim of ‘stinkin’ thinkin’. Basically, stinkin’thinkin’ is the opposite of critical thinking, as it is thinking through a skewed concept of the world and is definitely not critical thinking, as described in our reading this week.
Helping individuals to change their perspective and/or perception is easier said than done. I have always looked for ‘the story within the story’ with regards to my clients. I have found that the issue they come to me with is often not the issue at all, as there is usually another underlying concern. I have found that their perception of a situation has completely re-written the story. I have also found that people often have the answers already within them, but the answers are covered under negative layers of confusion, disillusion and negative thoughts.
I recently met with a young lady who was racked with guilt. Her husband had been killed in a gunfight in Chicago many months before and she was distraught to the point of being suicidal. As she shared her story, she explained that she had asked to husband to leave a gang he was involved in and when he wouldn’t, she moved to her parent’s home and soon after her husband was killed. Her perspective was that she was wrong for leaving him and that it was all her fault. I listened for over two hours as she shared her perspective. When she was done, I shared with her that at one point in the two-hour long conversation, she stated, “I did what I had to do.” By reflecting back to her and helping her ‘hear’ those words that she had spoken but never comprehended internally, she changed her perspective of the situation and began to realize that she truly did what needed to be done to protect herself and her child. It was through that critical analysis of the situation that she was able to change her understanding of the situation and thus more positively focus on her life.
Human trafficking victims also often carry guilt that they are somehow at fault for their situation. They often carry a tremendous amount of shame, because they carry the blame of their failures and wear the title of VICTIM instead of SURVIVOR. It is my role to help the survivor to look at other systems of thought and test their perceptions, so that they can begin to empower themselves. Then I introduce tools and techniques to equip them for their next phase of their life. Often, the most powerful tool for them is critical thinking. The authors define critical thinking as ‘the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view of improving it.’[1] BINGO!
When I first received the book, The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking, I thought it was a mistake or some kind of joke that Amazon was pulling on me. It was definitely a miniature version of what should have been a book, that’s for sure. But when I checked out some reviews on it, I found out that it truly is only meant to be 23 pages long. What the buzz?!
So, I decided this was definitely a book I could read cover to cover without question. And I’m glad I did. I really found the book to be both fascinating and intriguing. The authors provide everything you could ever want to know about critical thinking – packed into 23 pages of enlightenment! I especially appreciated ‘A Checklist for Reasoning.’ It begins with ‘all reasoning has a purpose’ and asks: ‘does your reasoning focus completely on your ultimate goal?’[2] What a powerful question to ask ourselves as we journey through this crazy world called LIFE ON EARTH! I am trusting that God has an amazing sense of humor that combines with His grace. Because we’ve all got some stinkin’thinkin’ that needs some major blessing from our Heavenly King!
[1] Richard Paul and Linda Elder, The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools, 2.
[2] Ibid, 4.
About the Author
Nancy VanderRoest
Nancy is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and fulfills God's calling on her life by serving as a Chaplain & Counselor with Hospice. In her spare time, Nancy works with the anti-human trafficking coalition in her local community.20 responses to “Stinkin’thinkin’”
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Nancy- this post resonated with me. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve caught myself and my community in the middle of stinkin’ thinkin’! Thanks for your wise words and sharing your expertise. I have such empathy for people in the helping professions, just understanding the weight they carry with them from the precious holding of someone else’s story. I give you permission to tell me I’m in the middle of some “stinkin’ thinkin'” in this program!
Hi Karen. Thanks so much for your sweet post. And I could never imagine you with ‘stinkin’thinkin,’ my friend. You always seem so positive and engaging! I love serving as a counselor, but I often see so much negativity in the thought processes of my clients. Hoping I can make a ‘dent’ in changing that for people. Blessings to you, Karen!
My grandma would always use the same phrase, “stinkin’ thinkin” so I guess that’s not a southern thing. All too often leaders want to jump in and give the answer but I love the fact that you allow the person to find the answer with your help. To me, this is active listening at its best and practicing presence rather than imposing power. Were there any other tips you found in the reading where it would add in hearing the other as opposed to being the answer person in the room?
Hi Mario. Thanks for your response. I believe in ‘person centered counseling,’ which truly means sitting back and listening for the answers from within the person. I don’t always have the answer for a client…but they do! So I listen for the answers to come from them! I found that “Critical Thinking” offered some guidelines for evaluating reasoning, which was enlightening (pg.12). I actually thought it was a powerful little book! Thanks for responding!
Nancy, I agree that this book is a helpful tool in analyzing our thinking. Our thoughts about our life can certainly have an impact on how we move forward. I think we all can suffer from the “stinkin thinkin” syndrome. I like that this process helps to take the emotion out of the situation, and helps us to think logically. Thank you for a practical application of this tool in your ministry.
Hi Mary. I love your analogy about the book guiding us in a way that takes our emotions out of the picture. You are so right! One thing in the counseling world that we have to be careful with is ‘countertransference.’ This is basically looking through the eyes of our own biases and pains from the past, and reflecting them on our client. So I love your philosophy of the book taking out the emotions as we look through the eyes of ‘critical thinking’ – with regards to ourselves and others.
Yay Nancy. I loved the book as well. I’m no therapist but the example of the young lady racked with guilt sounds like you employed cognitive therapy. I could be wrong but I hear that this is becoming a popular form of therapy.
At the risk of sounding simplistic, this reminds me of Romans 12:2 when God commands us “not to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Hi Harry. You are right – I do often utilize cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy is basically the idea that our thoughts & biases influence our emotions and experiences – and the intensity of both. People often overreact to minor situations because of ‘triggers’ from their past. So helping to resolve those triggers is an effective tool in therapy. I LOVE the Bible passage you shared. It is a perfect direction for transformation! Thanks so much, Harry!
Nancy,
Wow, and here I thought “stinkin’ thinkin'” was reserved for Southern Pentecostal preachers! That is what I get when I do not exercise my critical thinking skills.! I can just hear you saying that! Thanks so much for sharing how you utilize critical thinking skills in your counseling practice and work with human trafficking survivors. I think the more ways we can see critical thinking skills used by Holy Spirit in our respective ministry areas the possibilities we will begin dreaming about. As always, thanks for your great spirit and heart! Blessings, H
Thanks for your post, Harry. It was so sweet! And, yes, ‘stinkin’thinkin’ is not reserved only for the South! lol. I agree that the Holy Spirit is our ultimate guide to ‘critical thinking’! I tell my clients that the Holy Spirit is our GPS. If we get off track, it is OHS (“Our Holy Spirit” – as opposed to GPS) that will guide us back through a ‘rerouting, rerouting’ leading.
Nancy, you are such a gift to the world. I am consistently encouraged by your perspective, and I am sure your clients have found freedom as you gently guide them to think critically about their situations. Thank you for allowing the Spirit to work through your sharp skills to help all of us be better thinkers.
Thanks so much for the sweet words, Rhonda. I appreciate your reflection…and I am humbled! I love what I do – working with both my clients (thru Counseling) and my patients (thru Hospice). Everyday is a new learning experience for me. I let the Holy Spirit lead the way for me – as I am truly at the mercy of “He who strengthens me!” Thanks so much for your response, Rhonda. Be blessed, my friend!
Thanks, Nancy. I have a sense you are an incredible counselor. The ability to listen for two hours to “stinking thinking” and lead someone beyond where she is stuck into a new perception is truly a gift and skill you have developed. It requires you to think critically as you listen to faulty reasoning and express it in a way that opens the person to a new perspective and purpose.
I truly appreciate your response, Tammy. I love being in a position of truly listening – and then picking out one nugget of empowerment from my client’s story. Sometimes, that’s all that is needed is to help them find peace in a situation. I believe that all “messes” in life hold a “MESSage” within them. It’s finding that message that is KEY!
Nancy, You’ve told the truth about ‘stinkin thinking’. How true it is that we always find ourselves operating with stinkin thinking, because we’re naturally egocentric and sociocentric. We are so blinded by egocentrism and sociocentrism that we ordinariry are not able to discern the flaws in our thinking and in decision making.
Thanks for your response, Wallace. I agree that egocentrism skews our thinking. It is a powerful controller that doesn’t allow us to love on others as we should because we are so internally focused. Thanks for your reflection, Wallace.
I have a feeling we all have experienced some very personal “stinkin thinkin” in our lives . . . and it makes me incredibly grateful we believe in a God who forgives.
Hope your sons procedure went well!
Thanks, Jacob. I so agree. I am soooo thankful for GRACE! And thanks for asking about my son. He had a torn meniscus in his knee. All went well! Lovin’ God’s healing touch, which is always present and truly appreciated! Blessings to you, my friend. Looking forward to catching up at Thanksgiving!
Stinkin’ thinkin’ what a phrase my sister. you amuse me with your perspective and how you connected this with your counselling practice. It’s amazing how you manage to apply critically through your profession. thank you for sharing this.
Thanks so much, John. Well, I guess it’s not the most ‘technical’ of terms, but it works! lol. Thanks for responding to my post, John. Blessings to you as you continue to let your light shine in Kenya!