We all want good things and circumstances in our lives. Though we are prone to suffering because it is the effect of the fall of mankind, we really don’t embrace it too well many times. The saying goes, “you are what you think;” “you can have whatever you think you can have;” “what you want will materialize.” In this current century, people from all walks of life are engrossed on the principle of the “Law of Attraction.” If you’re going through hard times, now the cure is “think positive.” If you need extra money, “think positive.” If you’re having a bad day, “think positive.” You need a new job? Well, “think positive.” Personally, this quick band-aid phrase though meant for good, has been quite overused as a quick attempt to show how one has evolved spiritually and because it’s supposed to be the phrase that’s “in,” I guess. It has gotten rather annoying. But shouldn’t we always be thinking positively? Shouldn’t we always be having good thoughts? Of course. The famous scripture before the theory of the “Law of Attraction” was coined states;

“Finally, brethren, 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; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Again we read, “for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

We are created to thrive in good and positive settings; environments where love and peace are fostered and maintained. Things just go wrong when you stand on the principle that everything is going to be fine, if you just think positive.

If this is the sole principle we should stand on then why do bad things still happen when you thought positive, I mean things still go wrong in your life even sometimes after you thought positive and prayed hard.

One, we cannot control everything in our lives, no matter how hard many want to believe this. We are given control over our lives as a gift and free will, but you cannot and do not control everything in your life.

Two, many use the “law of attraction” alone without having other backing principles. What happens after you have continuously thought positive? What do you do in between thinking positive, other than “think positive?”

This is when the truth of the Most High, which can never be made into a lie comes in. Scriptures inform us to walk by faith; pursue righteousness and holiness; pray without ceasing; ask; and speak things into existence:

James 4:2-3
“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not; ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

James 5:16
…“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Job 22:27-28
“Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows; thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.”

Proverbs 18:21
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

So, “no,” the “Law of Attraction” does not stand alone. God’s principles are complete and work when applied in it’s entirety. Shortcuts and incomplete philosophies cannot be applied and will only get you so far.