October 8, 2015 | Imparting Courage

“You have become an example to all … And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever you go we find people telling us about your faith in God.” (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8 NLT)
 
Building bravery
Humans are capable of passing on courage. It is an amazing blessing to see people encourage – literally impart bravery into others. Scripture teaches that as we are sanctified by God we should become more courageous. Then, as “more than conquerors” through Christ, we then are enabled to pass on that mettle. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 commands believers in Jesus:
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV)
Tracy Bush serves with me on our church pulpit team and she summarized the process in a recent note: “Once personal internal change occurs we become ‘agents of change’ to those in our sphere of influence.”
Sapping strength
However, the opposite phenomenon is also possible. 2 Samuel 4 shows that others are affected by one’s cowardice, just as much as by examples of courage. In fact, when a member of God’s community panics he or she can easily bring down the entire group.
When Saul’s son Ish-bosheth heard that Abner had died in Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed. (2 Samuel 4:1 HCSB)
Israel’s dismay is connected to Ish-bosheth’s loss of nerve. In the same way, the people around each of us can be utterly unhorsed when we give in to fear.
Which do I do?
It’s a watershed issue. Each day, I either live with such confidence in the Lord that I build bravery in others or my fear helps sap their strength. My prayer for me and you is that we are imparters of courage – part of a mutually-reinforcing circle of trust and confidence.