ASK!

I recently watched a motivational talk by comedian, Steve Harvey.  He shared how his mother always told him, "you have not because you ask not". This quote is loosely based on the Bible verse James 4:2 (NIV)  -... You do not have because you do not ask God.

This got me thinking about why we may NOT be asking for some things.  Have you ever been afraid to ask for something you want?  If so, what held you back from asking?   

A few years ago I purchased a book called ‘Ask! The Bridge from Your Dreams to Your Destiny’ by Mark & Crystal Hansen.   Below  are a  few  reasons to consider.  Do any of these situations resonate with you?

• Fear of rejection 
  No one likes to hear the word, No.  Not wanting to receive a ‘no’ response can keep you from asking the question.  It keeps you quiet and as a result, you may be sitting and waiting for things to come your way.  All the while, what you want keeps eluding you.  Now you are stuck in this space of wanting but too afraid to ask for fear of rejection.  So, how does one get out of this pattern?  You make a decision.  You ASK!  In the video below, I share a story when I made a decision to ask.  You'll have to watch to find out what happened.

• Feeling unworthy or insecure 
  Maybe you don’t ask because you do not believe you deserve to have what you want.  Maybe you don’t want people to know you need help.  Asking for help requires a level of security in oneself to acknowledge that you don’t know it all and need other people.  This can be a place of discomfort for some.  Acknowledging that you, just like the rest of us, need help could be the one thing to move you forward in the direction you desire.

• Unsure what to ask 
  The quality of the question, defines the answer.  Might you be asking the wrong question?  Are you asking questions like,  'How do I get out of debt?'  Or is your question, ‘How can I create abundance?’  Do you notice the difference?  Are your questions moving you forward in the direction you want to go?  If not, ask different questions. 

Even Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) - “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

In short, questions are powerful and can shift your perspective of yourself and your situation. 

What questions are you asking yourself and God?  Better yet, what questions are others asking you?