Our thoughts, attitudes affect all of those around us

Every so often, a fresh thought startles you much like a pheasant flushing from the underbrush as you hike through the woods.

The pheasant has been there the whole time and would have remained unnoticed had you not stepped too close.

The experience is at first frightening, but as seconds pass, fear shifts quickly to admiration for such a beautiful bird.

Some of life’s most unique insights are much like that. One day you stumble upon an insight and wonder, “How many times have I walked right by it, unaware?”

As you might suspect I have had such an experience recently.

I was re-reading some ancient history from the Older Testament of the Bible. The Israelite people were preparing to go to war and their preparation was at the stage where the commanding officers were to stand before them, give them a pep talk and dismiss those who would be excused from battle.

It was the reasons for exclusion that first startled and later amazed me, in particular, the final reason.

The commanders said, “If any of you has built a new house, but not yet had a chance to live in it, you’re excused.”

What they were saying was that it would be a horrible shame if you got killed in battle and didn’t get to enjoy your new house, so you can go home.

The second reason for exclusion was for those who had planted new vineyards but had not yet tasted any of the wine.

The third reason was for those who were recently engaged to be married but hadn’t had the privilege of married life.

Can you imagine if modern military operations observed that level of sensitivity?

Then comes the final exclusion and it is shocking. Deuteronomy 20:8 says, “Then the officers shall add, ‘Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.’”

We don’t want anyone who’s scared in our army because fear is contagious.

As I read those words, it was like a pheasant flushed right from where I was about to step. My heart beat wildly and my mind raced.

I am contagious. My attitude, my outlook, my fear or optimism is not mine alone, it impacts everyone around me.

In fact, I have such an impact that if I’m scared, they don’t even want me in the battle.

I’m not sure how many times I’ve walked by that insight without noticing it. I am contagious!

Each room I enter, I bring something with me that influences the room for better or worse.

The group I have coffee with, sit next to at a hockey game, worship beside, work with or live with are all significantly touched by my attitude.

The good news in this sobering thought is that impact does not need to be accidental.

We can be focussed and intentional about the germs we carry. We can spread germs of hope and encouragement. We can infect people with optimism and joy. We can be carriers of gratitude.

Or, we can drag people down in a variety of ways.

Within hours of reading this, you will enter a room. It may be your family room or your office. It might be a Tim Hortons or your bedroom.

As you walk through the door, remember: you are contagious.

But you get to choose what germs you’ll spread.

Tim Schroeder is a pastor at Trinity Baptist Church.