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On the Fence
We've all had times when we were indecisive on certain issues. These issues could be critical -- I really mean critical. These are times when it seems there's no more space to press forward. At times, our indecisiveness is not necessarily birthed as a result of the issues at hand but as a result of our unpreparedness toward issues that could be negative.

Most times, there is this popular axiom that encourages us to be optimistic about the future -- we are told to foresee only the bright side of life. While this axiom is hinged on life truth, It's imperative we hold on to the much larger part of the truth about life: the truth that life is in two phases. Just like there is light and darkness which connotes the positive and the negative, life is also characterized by two opposite sides.

In as much as it's essential to ensure balance, we must sort to establish balance, first, in our thinking or perspective about life. The forestalling of negative contingencies first begins with acknowledging the fact that negative occurrences are a reality of life. A man who foresaw negative occurrences, even if such occurrences are based on probability, would set up measures to forestall the happenings.

Negative occurrences are not necessarily the reason for indecisiveness, but the inability to make headways when being beset by a dilemma. This is a blur state when it seems you're stuck. You're indecisive over two counter thoughts: the thoughts to press forward or to take a backward stride. Both thoughts have their challenges or else the dilemma wouldn't have come into the picture.

A very good example of this 'on the fence' situation is the case of the Israelites between Pharaoh and the red sea. The Israelites had no alternative but to cry. They cried out not to God, but in unbelieve. Thank God for their leader who knows how well to channel on the right course. He inquired of God for the next course of action, and the next line of action was to stride forward. They strode forward and the result was a triumph.

We have a story to learn from this great biblical story. We must learn never to look either forward or backward when being beset in a dilemma that has heartrending obstacles on both sides but to look above. If the Israelites had known that there was a way above they wouldn't have cried out to Moses. So, the next time you're faced with any dilemma that's beyond your control, you got to look up, for there's always a way up.