It seems like more and more people are afraid to ask about anything. I for one am not sure why. It is very easy to ask a question. This is how we communicate people, so start communicating
There is a young lady who works in retail that was was approached by her regional manager. She did not know he was the regional manager when he asked for help. His request was a bit off the wall and she politely told him that if she could do what he was asking, she would not be working at that store.
Well the store manager came up to her and told her who the man was and then she got embarrassed. The regional manager told her that he had figured out a way to do what he had requested and left it at that. She was afraid she was going to be fired, but she was not. She later said that it feels different between her and her store manager and she is wondering if that incident had something to do with it.
My comment was simple, just ask if the store manager if that is the case. The worst that can happen is that he says yes and the best that can happen is if he says yest. Why? Because at least you will know. Once you know, things can be changed if that is what you want.
My wife and I spoke about this and she told me that people are essentially afraid to ask. My reply to her was why? If you do not ask, then you do not know. All you are doing by not asking is speculating and that leads to a whole other group of issues because now all you are doing is wondering if it was this or that or what have you. So instead of letting tensions build or anxiety build or …., if you feel like there is something that needs to be ask, then ask it.
What is the worst that can happen when you do? The person may lie or they may say they do not feel like talking about it or they may tell you everything you wanted to know and then some. However, at least you will know.
The same is true when you ask for a raise, if you feel you deserve one, then ask. The worst they can say is no and if they do, then ask why and give all the reasons why you deserve a raise.
This is mentioned in the Bible as well.
James 4:3 (ESV)
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
We are being told to ask no matter what, but if we do not ask the correct way, then the reply more than often is going to be no.
Even God wants us to communicate with him. It is not because He does not already know what you are going to ask, but rather you will know it and realize that you are not receiving because you are asking for the wrong reasons.
I pray that if you have a hard time communicating with others, that you find the courage. There is no reason to be scared to ask questions even if you think it is the dumbest question(s) on the face of the planet.