Flip the Script: How Inversion Thinking Can Revolutionize Your Life and Ministry
Sometimes the best way forward is asking what would guarantee failure—then doing the opposite.
Have you ever found yourself stuck—spiritually dry, unmotivated, or unsure what to do next? Maybe you’ve tried reading your Bible more, setting new goals, or listening to one more sermon podcast. And yet, somehow, it still feels like you’re spinning your wheels. If that’s you, you’re not alone.
But what if the problem isn’t that you’re thinking too small…
What if you’re thinking in the wrong direction?
Let me introduce you to a powerful mindset called inversion thinking. It’s used by investors, engineers, philosophers, and even some of the most effective spiritual leaders—whether they realize it or not. And once you get the hang of it, it can flip your whole approach to life, leadership, and faith.
So what is inversion thinking?
Inversion thinking is the simple practice of asking:
“What would cause this to completely fail?”
Instead of only asking how to succeed, you identify what would guarantee failure—and work backward to avoid it.
Sound too simple? Think about it: If you want a strong marriage, you can brainstorm all the nice things to do… or you could ask, “What would ruin our marriage?” Then, commit to never doing those things. Both paths lead to growth—but one gives you clarity fast.
Jesus actually modeled inversion thinking.
He said things like, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” That’s a flip.
He flipped the world’s version of greatness—“The greatest among you will be your servant.”
He taught that the path to life is found through dying to self. That’s inversion. Not because it sounds edgy—but because it works. It wakes us up.
Using inversion in your spiritual life
Let’s get practical. Say you want to grow spiritually this year. You could ask, “What Bible reading plan should I follow?” That’s a good question. But try this instead:
“If I wanted to guarantee that I don’t grow spiritually, what would I do?”
Think about it.
I’d probably stay up late and sleep through morning prayer.
I’d avoid honest conversations with mentors.
I’d skip church when life gets busy.
I’d only read the Bible when I feel like it—and never wrestle with what it actually says.
When you see that list, something shifts. You realize spiritual growth isn’t just about reading more or praying harder. It’s about not doing the things that choke your faith.
This kind of thinking helps you build boundaries, not just wishful goals.
Inversion in your walk, your home, and your church
Let’s say you’re trying to raise a godly family. Ask yourself:
“What would cause my kids to hate church and leave their faith?”
If I only talk about religion but never live it.
If I’m harsh instead of gracious.
If I force church but never model love at home.
If I’m always too busy for them.
That hurts to admit—but it’s clarifying. Now you know what not to do. And the opposite? Spend time. Show grace. Live out what you preach. Make faith real.
Or maybe you’re serving in church, trying to help your church grow. Instead of asking, “How do we become a thriving community?”, try flipping it:
“What would guarantee that our church dies spiritually?”
Ignore new believers after baptism.
Let members spectate, not participate.
Keep everything dependent on one or two leaders.
Make church feel irrelevant to people’s actual lives.
Now you know where the danger zones are. And you have a roadmap for what to avoid and what to do better.
Inversion is honest. And honesty is powerful.
We don’t grow by pretending. We grow by facing what could go wrong—and choosing better. That’s what Jesus offered. He warned people about spiritual blindness, lukewarm faith, and empty religion—not to shame them, but to open their eyes.
Sometimes the fastest way to clarity is asking the darkest question:
“What would destroy this?”
It’s not a depressing question. It’s an empowering one. Because once you see what kills your joy, your purpose, or your walk—you can choose the opposite.
Try it for yourself
Here’s your challenge: Pick an area of your life that matters—your walk with God, your family, your friendships, your ministry.
Ask this:
“What would guarantee that this fails?”
Write down five answers. Be honest. Be specific. Then flip it.
And build your habits, your systems, and your choices around the opposite.
It’s not complicated. But it’s powerful.
Sometimes, the best way to move forward… is to think backward.