Courage
To make progress in life, career, business or ministry, you need courage. A mirage is an optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions, like an appearance of a body of water on a hot road. To move forward, you must be ready to encounter several false or exaggerated appearances of danger or obstruction. But that is exactly what they are - appearances!
Here are a few points to note whenever you are afraid to move on:
1. You can't accomplish much without something standing on your way.
H. G. Wells once asked, 'What on earth would a man do with himself, if something did not stand in His way?' What he is trying to say is that you should expect some opposition if what you are trying to do is actually worthwhile. What appears to be an adverse situation or obstacle now may sometimes be the ingredient you need to reach your destination. Sometimes, the obstacle may not even exist at all in reality but only in your mind. And if they do exist, going through them only makes you stronger, wiser and more confident.
2. Your comfort zone will always have its own allies
No matter what new thing you attempt, there will always be voices that will tell you that it's not possible. The great poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: ' Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs.' The truth is that, anytime you are trying to do something new, someone is likely to fire a shot at you. Sometimes, to really make progress, you have to be "deaf" for a while.
3. Courage is more important than just talent
Talent is an endowment that you didn't work for - it's a gift that you probably developed and sharpened. It will not be of much value if not combined with courage. The courageous are able to reach heights and accomplish much more than others with greater talent who were okay with the status quo. According to General Omar Bradely, 'Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.'
4. By all means, replace assumptions with facts
One of the major sources of fear is false, incomplete, disordered or misrepresented information. According to the Lord Jesus Christ, 'You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.' The more truth you know, the freer from fear you become. Ask questions from the right sources and confirm every information from at least two or three sources. Pay for some information, if need be.