You Can’t Manifest a Super Bowl Ring

This image is an artistic illustration and not an actual photograph of A.J. Brown.

There’s a Geico commercial featuring NFL wide receiver A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles where he confidently says he manifests things and then, boom, they happen.

It sounds powerful. Motivating. Almost mystical.

But here’s the problem.

If manifesting really worked the way it’s advertised, then surely it could’ve prevented the dropped catches in the Eagles’ playoff loss to the 49ers this past Sunday (January 11, 2026).

And if manifesting truly bends reality doesn't he successfully manifest a Super Bowl ring on demand?

Once again, we’re reminded of the gap between abstract motivation and tangible reality.

What Manifesting Claims to Be (And What It Actually Delivers)

Manifesting promises control:

• Speak it into existence

• Believe hard enough

• Visualize the outcome

• The universe will respond

But when things don’t happen as they were believed or spoken about - injuries, traffic, layoffs, illness, or dropped football passes - you’re told you didn’t believe enough, didn’t speak it clearly, or just need to wait longer.

Positive Thinking Isn’t Magic... It’s Psychology

To be clear: positive thinking has real benefits. But those benefits are often misunderstood.

Here’s what’s actually happening, according to psychology and behavioral science:

1. Cognitive Reframing

Positive thinking helps you reinterpret stressors. The chaos didn’t disappear; you simply processed it differently.

2. Self-Efficacy

Believing “I can handle this” increases perseverance and follow-through. You act more effectively; you don’t summon outcomes out of thin air.

3. Attentional Bias

Optimism trains your brain to notice opportunities instead of obstacles. Again, nothing mystical... just mental focus.

4. Stress Regulation

A positive mindset lowers cortisol and improves decision-making under pressure.

None of this means you manifested traffic away.

You just chose not to let traffic rule your mood.

That’s emotional discipline, not cosmic power.

When Manifesting Sneaks into the Church

Here’s where things get more concerning.

Manifesting doesn’t just live in New Age circles... it often shows up in charismatic Christian language, wearing a Bible verse like a disguise.

Certain preachers borrow spiritual-sounding phrases and baptize them with Scripture, often out of context.

Let’s look at a few commonly abused verses.

What About “Life and Death Are in the Power of the Tongue”(Proverbs 18:21), Right?

In context, Proverbs is about relational consequences and how speech can heal or destroy reputations, relationships, and communities.

It does not teach that your words create reality or override God’s sovereignty.

If words literally manifested outcomes, hospitals would be empty and cemeteries unnecessary.

But Can't We “Call Those Things Which Do Not Exist as Though They Did” (Romans 4:17)?

This verse is about God, not you.

Paul is describing God’s ability to create and promise—specifically in reference to Abraham and Isaac.

The text does not say:

“You can speak nonexistent things into existence.”

It says:

God does.

Borrowing divine attributes and assigning them to human speech is not faith, it’s confusion.

“Speak It Into Existence”

Interestingly, the most popular manifesting phrase in Christian circles doesn’t appear anywhere in Scripture.

You will not find:

• “Declare your miracle”

• “Activate your blessing”

• “Speak your breakthrough into being”

What you will find in Scripture is something far less marketable...

Jesus Didn’t Manifest... He Submitted to the Father's Will

Jesus taught His disciples to pray:

“Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10)

In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the cross, Jesus prayed:

“Not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42)

If anyone could have manifested a different outcome, it would have been Jesus!

God Hears According to His Will

The apostle John makes this unmistakably clear:

God hears us when we ask according to His will. (1 John 5:14)

Jesus asked if the cup could pass... it didn’t. (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42)

Paul prayed three times for the thorn in his flesh to be removed... it wasn’t. (2 Corinthians 12:7–9)

Neither unanswered prayer meant a lack of faith.

They meant God’s will was different, and greater, than what was requested.

Why Manifesting Ultimately Fails

Manifesting fails because it:

• Confuses confidence with control

• Rebrands mindset as metaphysics

• Turns God into a mechanism instead of a sovereign Lord

• Sets people up for guilt when reality doesn’t cooperate

Think about it: If people could truly manifest whatever they wanted, lottery ticket sales would be much lower – because the winning numbers would be manifested on the very first ticket!

Final Thought: Choose Faith, Not Fantasy

Be positive.

Work hard.

Pray boldly.

But don’t confuse mental resilience with reality-shaping power.

The Christian hope isn’t that we can bend the universe to our will. It’s that we can trust the God who already holds it – that He knows what is best for us.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33)