Perhaps you have never heard this little saying before; I have. A former supervisor of mine used to say this several times a day, every day. I came to understand that it really meant to think about what you do before you do it, so that you didn't FEEL stupid. Sometimes it takes awhile to understand why things happen, but what's important is that they DO indeed occur. Which enables me a little more insight into this New Testament passage.
Philippians 1:12-18 (WEB)
12) Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;
13) so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;
14) and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.
15) Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
16) The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;
17) but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
18) What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.
We can't understand EVERYTHING that happens to us right away; some things just take time to appreciate. So it was with Paul. No matter how smart you think you are, God has a way of doing things HIS way. So, ponder all you want, but don't beat yourself up... you are smarter than you feel.