Ask And It Shall be Given Unto You

Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asks, shall receive, and he that seeks shall find, and to him, that knocks, it shall be opened. — Matthew 7:7-8

It seems so easy, just ask. But we don’t ask for what we want. Why is that? In the book The Aladdin Factor, written by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, they gave us the five main reasons we don’t ask for what we want, the benefits of asking, and the seven characteristics of people who have mastered the principles of asking and receiving.

5 Barriers to Asking

1.IGNORANCE

• We are not aware of what is available and possible

We do not know what to ask for because we just do not know. It is not in the realm of our current reality. We never were exposed to it. We have not learned it yet.

• We are not aware of what we need and want

We do not know our real needs and desires.

• We don’t know how to ask.

We do know how to communicate our needs, wants, and desires. We have to learn these skills and incorporate them into our lives.

2. LIMITING AND INACCURATE BELIEFS

There are limiting and negative beliefs programmed into our subconscious that silently controls our thoughts and actions.

• Our parents programmed us.

When we were young, dependent, and living with our parents, we were not given choices. We eat what’s on the table, wear what we are told to wear, and only speak when spoken to.

• We were programmed in school.

If we ask for help from our teacher, you are called “brown noser” or a “teacher’s pet.”

We quickly learn that it’s not okay to ask as stupid questions, or our teacher will give us one of those glaring or scowling looks. Other kids will laugh or look irritated. We learn to struggle along or ignore things on the whole.

• The major media programmed us.

Through television, men have learned that to be a man means to suffer in silence, be macho, tough it out, and never express vulnerability or be emotional. If men believe this tough man image, men will stop asking for help.

• Our religious training conditioned us.

Church doctrine, television evangelists, preachers and pastors, and religious literature affirm our belief about asking for what we want. Acts 20:35 said this, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

To want for ourselves was being selfish, other’s needs first before our own.

• Our doctors programmed us.

We are to do what the doctor says. Do not question the prescription, diagnosis, or treatment program. Just follow the regime the doctor has for you.

• Limiting Beliefs such as:

— If you loved me, I wouldn’t have to ask.

— My success will deprive someone else.

— If I get what I want, it will make me unhappy.

3. FEAR

• Fear of rejection.

We are afraid to participate, afraid to go after the things we want and desire. We fear rejection, looking foolish, losing face, and being vulnerable and hurt by others. We settle, become passive, no courage to ask or self-discipline to create.

• Fear of being powerless

“Asking people for stuff makes you vulnerable. In a way, it means they can hurt you by denying you the things you want. I don’t like giving anyone that kind of power over me.” — Kevin Smith

• Fear of humiliation
• Fear of punishment
• Fear of abandonment
• Fear of endless obligation

If they ask for what they want from someone, they will become burdened with a future obligation that may go on forever.

4. LOW SELF-ESTEEM

Most of us do not feel worthy of love, happiness, fulfillment, and feel inadequate to create the kind of life we want. We suffer from inferiority complexes, neurotic guilt, and lack of self-confidence. As a result, we believe that our needs and wants are not urgent and unworthy of pursuing.

• I was glad to be wanted by anybody.
• A feeling of unworthiness.
• My needs are not important.
• I am not worth it.

5. PRIDE

We become too arrogant to admit we need anyone or anything. We need to do everything ourselves.

• We are afraid to appear weak and needy.
• Fear that people will judge us for not already having it.
• We are programmed in pride.
• We presume that we can figure it out by ourselves.

According to George Shinn and I quote, “There’s no such thing as a self-made man. Only with the support of others can we reach your goals.”

The Benefits of Asking

1. You will take control of your life.

2. Your business and personal relationships will be better.

2. You will increase your personal power.

3. You will have and give more love.

4. You can enrich your lifestyle.

5. You will maximize your talents and your skills.

7 Characteristics of People who have Mastered the Principles of Asking and Receiving

1. They know what they want.

2. We are worthy of receiving it.

3. They believe they can get it.

4. They are passionate about it.

5. In the face of fear, they still take action.

6. They learn from their experience.

7. They are persistent.

In Summary

We do not live the life that we want because we ask not. We need to master the art of asking and getting what we want to conquer all kinds of obstacles and shape our destinies. We need to master the principles of asking and receiving to create and fulfill our dreams and make other people’s lives better. Just ASK! I, too, can do what other people can. No limits.

Source

Canfield, J & Hansen, M. (1995).The Aladdin Factor. The Berkley Publishing Group, New York, New York.p.7-59