One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the one where the father brings his son to Jesus to be healed (Mark 9:14-29). First the disciples attempt to heal the boy using the lessons that they learned from Jesus, but they fail. Jesus arrives on the scene and asks what’s going on. The father explained to Jesus that his son was possessed by a spirit and experiencing fits (probably epilepsy) and could harm himself by going into fire or water. The father asks Jesus to heal his son IF he can. Jesus says to the man that everything is possible to those who believe, and the father replies, “I believe, help my unbelief.” Jesus then heals the boy.

As Jesus and his disciples left the scene, his disciples asked why they could not heal the boy. He said to them that, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

One of the things that I thank my parents for is that they taught me the Law of Attraction growing up. I was taught from as early as I can remember that I create my own reality and that thoughts held in mind produce after their kind. However, every now and again, there is a challenge in my life that I cannot see clearly. Try as I might, 30+ years of tutelege in the Secret fails me. All I can see all around me is the challenge and life seems black.

In those moments, I experience the words of the father, “I believe, help my unbelief.”

I begin to envision the opposite of the challenge. Not knowing how it can possibly happen, I write it on a piece of paper and place it in my God can.

In 2004, after working with my husband on our online lingerie store for 6 months (he for 3 years prior), our finances took a turn for the worse. We finally figured out how to make the business work, but ran out of money. We went to the banks for a loan, but was turned down because of our credit and lack of income. Things slowly deteriorated, as month after month the bills including the mortgage were not paid. Finally, in month 10, 4 months behind on the mortgage, the bank sent the foreclosure letter. I was stopped dead in my tracks.

Before, I was adamant not to go back to corporate America. I did not want to face failure or ridicule. I came to enjoy my independence and the time spent with my husband. That foreclosure letter sent me into a panic. I needed a job. FAST. However, I was paralyzed with fear, resentment, and depression. I could not see past the darkness that enveloped me. My world closed in.

I began to think about the job I’d need to get to get us out of the predicament in which we found ourselves. I set as my parameters a job in a small company, in an office, making what I left corporate America making, in a pretty laid back environment, that would enable me to continue to work on the business, and not require any business travel.

I knew theoretically that all things are possible and that if I practiced the Law of Attraction, the job would manifest, but I just couldn’t see how. It seemed pretty impossible to me. I think I purposely set my goal so high because on a transparent level I really did not want to go back to the 9-5 world at all.

I wrote down the request and told one other person, and placed it in my God can. Two weeks later, I walked onto my first day on the job with a small consulting firm (8 employees, 2 locally), in my 150 square foot office with a door, to my desk with my laptop, salary exactly the same amount I left at corporate America, with flexible hours. It got even better than that. For Christmas, I had a company trip that served as a much needed vacation for my husband and I. I got a Christmas bonus after working for 2 months. I was also doing work that I enjoyed doing.

As the Secret and the Law of Attraction go mainstream, you might get caught in thinking that you aren’t doing it “right” if you don’t see the manifestation of your desires. You have not failed and neither has the law.

Take a step back from the situation, stop wanting, and be willing to admit that you believe, but you need help with your unbelief. Spirit will not fail you. God can. Write your heart’s desire and ask that it be fulfilled. Rest assured that your needs will be met.

Sometimes, it can only come about with prayer.

In Spirit,
Nneka