Stop! Reflect! That is an intriguing question.

Whether you are rich or poor, a success or a failure, a saint or a sinner, in or out, they all had their genesis in a thought.

The cellular structure of your character, if you will, is in your thinking.

Your destiny begins in your mind.

All architectural wonders, all technological marvels, all scientific advancements, all melodious music and beautiful art started with a single thought.

Indeed, the universe and all that dwell therein began with a thought.

So the old saying, "a penny for your thoughts," shortchanges you and is not a good bargain.

It has been truly said:

"As a man thinketh in his heart so is he."

"Think and grow rich."

"The difference between heaven and hell rests with one decision."

Thinking is like breathing.

It is automatic and universal.

Everybody does it 24 hours a day.

Even when you close your eyes in sleep, nightmares, dreams or visions invade your slumber.

Moreover, thoughts are as distinct as fingerprints.

They are unique.

They are individual.

They are solely the intellectual property of the originator.

They can never be captured by an outside perpetrator only surrendered by the owner and creator.

So let's just forget about, "the devil made me do it."

Since the process is inevitable and inescapable, you'd better get used to it and discover how best to manage, deal and live with it.

The most successful spiritual or secular people have marshaled their thoughts, brought them under subjection; for if left unfettered they will lead you invariably to disastrous consequences.

Have you ever heard the question, usually after a horrible incident or despicable circumstance, “What were you or they thinking?

All epic and defining movements in human history, noble or evil began with a thought.

Joyce Meyer, author of Battlefield of the Mind, recounted how one day feeling sorry for herself she finds herself sulking on the floor in the bathroom in front of the toilet.

The Bible relates the story of the epileptic son who would oftentimes throw himself in the fire.

Another incident in the Bible involves the man possessed by demons who lived in the graveyard amongst the tombs.

Adam and Eve's eviction from the Garden of Eden came about when she thought about the forbidden tree.

The adultery of David with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah occurred because David could not ignore the treacherous thoughts in his mind.

Thoughts that go astray will inevitably lead you to a place of waste, destruction and death.

You must discipline yourself to think only good thoughts.

Oprah, Iyanla, Deepak Chopra, Les Brown, Dr Wayne Dwyer and many others have made a cottage industry in their efforts to correct or steer your thoughts in a positive direction.

Their inadequate attempts will never satisfy all your needs or answer all your questions.

To get right, stay right and function right you must return to and consult the original designer and creator of the "product.”

Joshua reminded and admonished Israel about it at the end of his life

"But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord."

The mind of Christ Jesus must influence all your thoughts and all those things you seek and yearn after will be added unto you.

Since only God is good, to be and achieve good we must follow his instructions and if there is to be any virtue or praise,

we have to meditate on:

"whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest

whatsoever things are just

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report,"

We must think on these things.

The shape and structure of your mind determine 90 percent of your happiness and success in this life and the state of your eternal destination in the next.

It is vital that you strive to sober and levelheaded at all times.

In the final analysis, when you think about it, it does not matter what anyone else thinks, says or does only what you think.

So as you blaze your trail in this life and interact with your fellow man, remember to think about:

being tender with the young,

compassionate `with the aged,

understanding of the weak or the strong,

for during the course of your life you will be all of these.

It is your responsibility whether the trajectory of your life ascends and soars to the heavens in glorious victory or descends and crashes into hell in flames of bitter defeat.

It is all up to you.

God is watching, waiting, warning and beseeching you to carefully, prayerfully, thoughtfully.

CONSIDER THAT.

V. Knowles is a husband and father with an interest in penning issues that serve to uplift mankind. He melds his love for Classic literature, The Bible and pop culture - as sordid as it may be - into highly relatable columns of truth, faith and justice. Hence the name: Just Thinking. If he's not buried in a book or penning his next column, you may find him pinned to his sectional watching a good old Country and Western flick.