Thursday, October 23, 2008

Christianity and the Law of Attraction

Hello Everyone,

I am the author of a book on van Gogh, "At Eternity's Gate: the Spiritual Vision of Vincent van Gogh," and a Ph. D. in the History of Christianity. Check out my website for reviews of my book - http://www.dotcomprofiles.com/kpe/index.html, and a sample of my photography http://www.dotcomprofiles.com/kpe/html/photo-frmst.html). Recently, I have been reflecting on the relationship between the "New Age" concept of the "Law of Attraction" and Christianity. While I do believe that all matter is energy and we influence what we attract into our lives by how we think, sitting in my living room, thinking positive thoughts to help me sell my home, find a great job, provide financial abundance, and deliver the perfect mate to my doorstep, just seems "weird." Still, I am going through a major crisis, and life change, as a result of fraud and I want to turn this around. I believe in miracles, as I have seen them in the lives of others and experienced them in my own. My frame of reference is Christianity (not fundamentalist Christianity, albeit, but Christianity, none-the-less). So, how do I practice the Law of Attraction as a Christian? While reading the scripture for last Sunday's worship service (in my Evangelical Lutheran church), I came across a detailed road map in Paul's letter to the Philippians. So, here is my commentary on applying the principles of Christianity to the Law of Attraction, based on the incredibly insightful words of St. Paul.

Christianity and the Law of Attraction

Copyright, Oct. 23, 2008 @Kathleen Powers Erickson

Philippians 4:4-7

Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, the first Christian congregation established on European soil (in Macedonia, Acts 16:11-15), under difficult circumstances. At this time, Paul had been imprisoned for his work in spreading the Gospel and was awaiting execution (Phil. 1:12-26. “It is my eager expectation and hope that I shall not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage, now as always, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”)
Paul gives complete and clear instruction to the Philippians, which is a step-by-step lesson on the Law of Attraction.

First – Paul instructs his congregation to get into the right state of mind – joy. Remember, he is exuding joy in Christ, even from prison. (How many people, no matter how dark your current situation, would rather be in prison?) So, the first step is to “rejoice,” in the Lord (not just rejoice, but “in the Lord.”) So, if you are Christian and references to the “universe” and the “Divine Intelligence” leave you a bit cold, take Paul’s advice. Turn your thoughts to the Lord, as the author of love and your Shepherd. (Psalm23: 1 – “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want." ) Acknowledge The Lord and remember he provides all your needs.

Second - Once you feel a state of joy (and remember there are two emotions from which all others come: Joy (which comes from the emotional experience of the love of God) and fear (which comes from the feeling of separation from God, the source of love). So – make a decision, a conscious decision in your daily life to choose Joy (a loving relationship with Christ) over fear (the separation from the love of Christ).

Third - Paul tells us to “Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.” Feel the presence of the Lord, and assume a gentle spirit. This means that you “let go” of all that is blocking your good. Disappointment, resentment, anger, envy, hopelessness, and pessimism block the good God intends for you. Most importantly, if you have not forgiven someone for a wrong committed against you, you must release this to God. Jesus admonishes, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25. (Remember, the ground is level at the Cross. We are all sinners in need of God’s forgiveness and redemption. Leave justice to God. When a snake bites, it hurts, but it is not the bite that kills, it is the venom that permeates the bloodstream, festers, and destroys. Harboring resentment and wishing ill to another has the same effect). You must make a conscious choice to let go of all of this and focus exclusively on what it is you want. (Once again, this is a conscious choice that requires mental discipline). Every time your mind goes to one of these self-defeating thoughts, such as “everyone else is doing well, why am I suffering? God does not hear me. He does not love me. I am not worthy of God’s grace and abundance,” – STOP! Quiet your mind (10 minutes of meditation or prayer can work wonders here). Then, remembering that the Lord is with you always “even unto the end of the earth,” focus on what you really want. Begin to visualize it – begin to feel it present in your life right now. Imagine yourself at your ideal weight. What are you doing? What are you wearing? Who are you talking to? Imagine yourself in perfect health? How does it feel? Imagine yourself financially secure, with all the money to meet your needs and the needs of your family. What are you doing with the money? How do you feel, knowing that you can let go of fear and anxiety? How are you relating to your children, spouse, neighbors and friends? What can you do or have that you were without before this abundance of wealth came into your life? Feel the experience right now. Be absolutely certain it is on its way.

Fourth – Paul writes, “Be anxious for nothing.” This means you must let go of fear. Even if you are sick, or have been diagnosed with a terminal disease, or you are facing foreclosure, give it over to God. Let go of fear. Choose to focus on God’s love, being mindful that you are his child. He loves you as you love your own children. If you wonder how you can possibly stop worrying, remember Paul wrote this from prison, while awaiting a gruesome death by crucifixion. Ask God to help release you from fear and worry. The Lord’s Prayer says “Give us this day our daily bread” (not our weekly, monthly, or yearly bread). In Eckhart Tolle’s book, The Power of Now, he instructs us to stay in the present moment. Worry and fear are products of the ego that continually focus us on the future, robbing us of the natural joy of the present moment. He writes, “What is wrong with the present moment? You can always cope with the Now, but you can never cope with the Future, nor should you have to. The answer, the strength, the right action, or the resource will be there when you need it, not before, not after.” (Words to live by -------)

Fifth – Now, and only now, after you have entered a state of joy, after you have released negative emotion based on fear and separation, after you have acknowledged the Lord’s presence, entered the present moment, quieted your mind, and released worry about the future – ASK. At this point, enter a state of prayer. There are now three components to the act of prayer. Paul writes, “ in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”. There are three steps here: 1) prayer, 2) supplication, which is a humble request for God’s help, 3) thanksgiving. Jesus instructs us to “Ask and it shall be given. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened unto you.” Matthew 7: 7-8).Give thanksgiving as if you have already received what you have asked of God. Jesus tells us, “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24)

Sixth – Finally, have confidence in God’s deliverance. Immediately, God will move events and people to come to your aid and bring about what you have asked of Him. The result – “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7. This is how Paul could exude joy in the midst of imprisonment and impending execution. This is an act of faith – walking humbly with God and allowing Him to do His work in our lives. DON’T GIVE UP if what you have asked for does not show up right away. Pray and trust God to meet your need in the best possible way at the best possible time. (You don’t have to figure out how or when. That is not your work. Your work is to get yourself in a joyful state of mind, release negative emotion around what you are asking of God, ask, give thanks, and trust that He will provide).

Godbless and Godspeed.

Kathleen Powers Erickson, Ph.D.