I can’t say I’m a devotee of spiritualist Marianne Williamson, but I agree with her when she says, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our ‘Light, not our Darkness,’ that most frightens us.”

This quote reverberates in me as I watch Republican presidential candidates hit the campaign trail. Laying aside our personal political leanings, we can all agree that these are people who choose tenacity over fear. They dare to envision themselves, in this case, as successful candidates; as President of the United States.

How many of us choose comfort and mediocrity, over-plan or vegetate because we can’t take the next scary step in our own private dreams?

Bestselling Christian author Max Lucado suggests that people actively engage in five activities when contemplating both exciting future challenges as well as enormous hurdles.

First, recall times when God was there to provide you with the energy, courage, hope and passion you needed. Write down a situation when it was apparent God was working in practical ways to help in an activity. If you are unable to readily invoke a memory of your own, read God’s promise in First Chronicles 16: “Remember His marvelous works which He has done. God’s attentiveness to your life remains steadfast.”

Second, dedicate time to pray. Not only will that require you to quiet your racing thoughts, but you’ll experience peace, mental clarity and a renewed connection with God. You’ll begin to sift through ideas that are worthy of your attention and step away from those that aren’t.

Third, ask God to help you discover ways to bring honor and glory to Himself. I often think back to the day I learned that my dad’s sudden illness was pancreatic cancer and he had little time to live. Fourteen short days following the devastating news he died and when the attending physician came into the room shortly after his passing, he asked me how I was able to react with such peace when there had been so little time to process the news. I told him God was a faithful companion and I would have fallen apart without Him. It was hard to speak, but I understood it was my moment to represent the truth as I had experienced it.

Fourth, move forward. Get on with your plan. You have probably pondered it long enough and itemized the challenges. Turn now to your passion and step forward.

And fifth, don’t stop once you get moving. Be persistent. Find a way around and over roadblocks. Never give up. Think about people you know or know about who pushed long and hard to meet their goals, who struggled and sacrificed, doubted yet dared. Watch them. Talk with them. Read about them. Then turn to God. Ask Him to partner with you. Follow the Light. Be the Light.