Fear is Contagious

Elevators and Dueteronomy

Jul 10, 2026

My family and I are traveling across the country this week. More than 3,000 miles. As I write this, we’ve started the trek home, with stops in Nashville, Memphis, and Little Rock before the promised land.

Earlier today, we were six-deep, cruising through the National Mall on Lime scooters. Incredible.

My daughter wiped out right before the Lincoln Memorial and took it like a champ. Resilient. She might be my toughest. I’ve watched my kids navigate cities, Ubers, back alleys, high-rises, crowded streets, and the Capitol Rotunda. They have done it with very little hesitation or trepidation. This trip has been good for their spirit.

But… My son is terrified of elevators.

When he gets into one, he covers his ears. I’m not exactly sure why. Maybe the movement bothers him. Maybe the sounds. Maybe it is just a nervous habit. But over the last week, we have been on elevators 30-plus times, which means he has had 30-plus chances to face that fear.

And I’ve noticed something. His little brother is doing it too… hands over ears.

Fear is contagious.

That is not a criticism of my sons. It is simply an observation about men. We borrow fear from one another [we borrow courage from one another as well]. Anxiety has a way of spreading through a room. Panic recruits people. One trembling heart can teach another heart to tremble.

The Bible understood this long before modern psychology and sociology. In Deuteronomy 20, Israel is preparing for war. Before the battle begins, the priest stands before the people and says: "Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you" [vv3-4].

Then the officers give several exemptions. If a man has built a house and not lived in it, he may go home. If he has planted a vineyard and not drunk the wine, he may go home. If he is betrothed and has not yet celebrated his wedding night, he may go home [God is good] [vv5-7].

And then comes the last exemption… 'Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own" [v8].

That line hits. God is not merely concerned that the fearful man will struggle. He is concerned that his fear will spread: "Lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own"

Fear melts hearts. It weakens resolve. It shrinks vision. It makes obedient men hesitant. Fear does not stay private. It leaks. It teaches. It multiplies.

That’s what was happening in the elevator. One son covered his ears because he was afraid. Another son covered his ears because he was watching. Fear always has followers.

"Fear always has followers."

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I pulled my sons aside and shared Deuteronomy 20. I told them, "There is good news. Fear is contagious, but so is courage."

If a fearful heart can melt other hearts, then a courageous heart can help other hearts stand.

A steady man can steady a room.

A calm father can calm a family.

A brave brother can give courage to another brother.

A faithful friend can help another man walk into the thing he wants to run from.

That is why courage matters. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is fear submitted to faith. It is deciding that what God has said is more trustworthy than what fear is saying.

Later in the day, we stepped onto another elevator. "Take your hands off your ears," I told my son. "Take a breath."

Then I pointed toward his little brother. "Look him in the eyes. Tell him, 'We’re okay.' Show him what courage looks like."

And he did.

The elevator doors closed. The floor began to move. His fear did not disappear, but something stronger entered the room.

Courage.

Someone is watching you.

Your children are watching how you respond when life becomes uncertain.

Your wife is watching how you carry pressure.

Your friends are watching whether you panic or pray.

The men you lead are learning from the atmosphere you create.

You do not have to pretend that you are never afraid. But you must decide what you will spread. Your fear will have followers. And so will your courage.

Remember: Every man wants to be courageous, but courage is built.

Obedience precedes courage.

Faith precedes obedience.

Trust precedes faith.

It is the willingness to move while you are still afraid that slowly turns a fearful man into a courageous one.

Start moving. For the King,

— Harp