June 3, 2025
Hi Friends,
I’m an influencer! I’m sure of it. I also have no followers on the internet (at least, none that I know of), no blog, no podcast, hardly any real presence at all. As far as I know, I don’t get paid for my influence. And here’s another bombshell — you’re an influencer too! And I’m just as sure of that!
If we can get beyond our self-congratulation, or our confusion, over this news, we can get to a really good question or two. For example, “Who am I influencing,” and “What kind of influence am I having?”
We are influencing anyone with whom we have contact of any sort. When you express a preference you are potentially influencing someone. When you show up late for something, you are potentially influencing someone by the opinion being expressed by your actions. When you tell someone about your favourite … (you can fill in the blank with almost anything), you are potentially influencing someone. When you spend time with someone, you have an influence — for good or bad. You’re a smart person, you get this, right?
The question that most interests me is “What kind of influence do I have? More importantly, what kind of character do I display in my influencing? And, on that note, how do I tell what kind of character I have?
It might surprise you to find out that one of the most reliable barometers of our character is hardship or trial or trouble. Here are four different versions of the same verse from Proverbs twenty-four. See if the verse strikes you like it struck me when I read it yesterday.
If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! (NIV) (Prov. 24:10)
Don't give up and be helpless in times of trouble. (CEV)
If you are weak in times of trouble, that is real weakness. (ERV)
If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn’t much to you in the first place.(MSG)
While this verse is a concise statement, it reflects the whole tenor of scripture in this regard. Jeremiah was asked how he expected to ever run with the horses in battle if he stumbled in the lush thickets by the Jordan. James tells us that trials produce patience and, ultimately, our completeness.
The interesting thing is that it doesn’t take much trial to give us a clue to our character. A toothache or a sliver will do it. A nagging spouse or a whining child will do it. Unfulfilled expectations will also do it. Here’s the point. You may envision yourself as ready to pick up your cross and carry it with Jesus but you are deluded if you think you can do that while not being able to bear up under these more mundane and every day challenges.
Here is the good news. If trials show us that we lack character, we can simply ask God for what we need (see James 1). He will graciously give it and come to our aid so that, as we learn to persevere, we will develop the kind of character to which we aspire. Then our influence will be for good!
Blessings!
Doug