The Power of Positive Thinking was a minister. He writes that Peale's books have no connection to Christianity and that they “influence, mislead and often disillusion sick, maladjusted, unhappy or ill-constructed people, obscuring for them the Christian realities. They offer easy comforts, easy solutions to problems and mysteries that sometimes perhaps, have no comforts or solutions at all, in glib, worldly terms. They offer a cheap 'happiness' in lieu of the joy Christianity can offer.” While contemporary theologians and mental health experts criticized Peale's teachings in "The Power of Positive Thinking," the general public praised the self-help book. The "Los Angeles Times" estimates that “legions
The Power of Positive Thinking that go wrong in our lives). Peck defines sound mental health as “a dedication to reality at all costs”. This includes tolerance for delayed gratification, the pain of problem-solving, and the willingness and ability to take responsibility for mistakes. Peck's groundbreaking 1979 bestseller, "The Road Less Traveled", clarifies that pain is unavoidable; it is when people seek to avoid all pain that results in greater pain and an inability to grow mentally and spiritually. While Peale's work emphasizes the great value in focusing on the positive rather than the negatives in life he also preached honesty, hard work, and taking