King Alfred
“If you have a fearful thought,
do not share it with someone who is weak;
whisper it to your saddle-bow,
and ride on singing.”
We should give thought as to whom, how, and when we tell our troubles, fears, and heartaches, so we don’t discourage those who are weak.
“But I need support!” Then speak sparingly to those who can give real support, but remember David, who “encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (I Samuel 30:6). True support comes from God. Are you really looking for help to respond Biblically to your problems, or are you a sympathy addict, looking for sympathy wherever you can find it?
If I am motivated by love, I will consider the needs and weaknesses of others before I go “looking for support.” Most people, instead of hearing all the details of my troubles, heartaches, and fears, need to be encouraged by seeing in me faith, hope, peace, and joy. Often, love tells me to keep it between me and the Lord, “whisper it to my saddle-bow,” and “ride on singing.”
Mind Renewers 
Interestingly, a friend on Facebook posted this exact quote yesterday. My thoughts went immediately to:
Deuteronomy 20:8 ESV: “And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘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.”
Hi, Diane. Is it great minds run in the same track, or feeble minds stuck in the same rut? 🙂
I didn’t think of the verse from Deuteronomy, but it certainly is appropriate. Emotions are contagious, whether fear, happiness, whatever. We would always do well to consider what we are spreading, and to whom, and when. That is especially true if we are in a leadership position of some kind.