22 Feb Courage is Contagious: Fighting timidity to spread positivity to others

This past Wednesday, our world lost one of the most influential evangelical figures of our time. Rev. Billy Graham lived a long (99 years) and fruitful life sharing with the world the good news of Christ’s love for us. His selfless outlook on life left a positive mark on the lives of millions because he believed in something bigger than all of us, and dedicated his energy to that faith. Billy Graham is the perfect example of what it looks like to live with purpose, and we can learn a lot from his values. One of my favorite quotes of his:

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.”

Rev. Billy Graham in the late 1940s. Photo via New York Times

We live in a world today that seems more divided than ever. Every day we’re surrounded with tough issues and decisions, heartbreak, and negativity. But there’s so much light out there, too, and the world will only become brighter if we pass on that light to those around us.

We constantly see on the news stories of people who are standing together for a cause. This illustrates what Billy Graham means when he says “courage is contagious.” One person said what many were feeling or needed to hear, and in turn others started to make the same stand. It can be scary to share what you believe in to a world filled with judgement, but without that first strike of a match you will never start a fire.

Photo via Pinterest

Remember this: everything in this life is temporary. We are given one life and are placed where we are for a reason. Don’t let timidity keep you from living to your full potential of joy or from spreading that joy to the people around you. As P.T. Barnum once said, “comfort is the enemy of progress”—so if you’re feeling too comfortable, it might be time to shake things up. If your faith makes your life better, chances are it’ll better the lives of those around you, too!