the thing is, we're already using LOA whether we know it or not. our unconscious programs are running in the background creating the experiences we have right now. and quite a lot of it is bad, thus generating the experiences we have right now to learn the karmic lessons we need to learn.
i think one is comforted to know that a powerful loving thought is far more powerful and overcomes fearful negative thoughts (see david hawkin's books reg. this). it's the spiritual intent behind affirmations/LOA that gives it the power, not the techniques themselves. the technique only strengthens our beliefs and channels our intent in easier ways.
use it like prayer, surrender your intentions to god and let the universe handle it in the best way possible
tune into your higher self or to god and let them guide you and act through you.
i don't have personal experience to back it up, but i think if something bad is coming up due to the path you're taking, you'll definitely get warning signs from your higher self to nudge you back onto the right path, before something bad actually happens. can anybody confirm that for me? do you have to be more intuitive to recognize it, or is it fairly obvious?
also, check out these links, i think they explain the whole thing pretty well. a lot of it makes sense, but some of it is out there, a lot of esoteric info. take what works:
Transcending the Control System: True Reality Creation (Part I) Transcending the Control System: True Reality Creation (Part I) Transcending the Control System: Realm Dynamics