When Sharing Jesus Doesn’t Go According To Plan
By: yesHEis
Have you ever felt disappointed after sharing Jesus with someone? Maybe a conversation about faith didn’t go as you’d hoped, your testimony didn’t seem to resonate, or an invitation to church was turned down. Can we tell you something?
It’s ok to feel disappointed when sharing Jesus didn’t go according to plan.
Disappointment often stems from the gap between our expectations and reality. Even Jesus faced this. In His hometown of Nazareth, He was rejected by the very people who knew Him best (Luke 4:16-30). His own disciples, despite witnessing His miracles and being in His presence, lacked faith during a storm (Matthew 8:23-27).
These moments likely didn’t unfold the way Jesus would have wanted. While disappointment is something we all encounter, the true test lies in how we choose to respond. If we’re not careful, disappointment can easily turn into discouragement when we start to believe we’ve failed. But the truth is: Successful evangelism isn’t dependent on the outcome, but on our faithfulness to sow the seeds.
In Matthew 13, Jesus shares a parable about a farmer scattering seeds on different types of soil. The results vary, not because of the sower’s effort but because of the condition of the soil. This reminds us that our job is to faithfully plant seeds—the state of the soil and the growth are in God’s hands.
If you’re reading this and feeling disappointed by an unexpected outcome after sharing Jesus, know that we celebrate you! You were obedient to the call to share the gospel and planted a seed of faith. But if this experience has left you wanting to grow and prepare for next time, here are three questions you can ask yourself to help sharpen your approach for your next opportunity to share Jesus.
1. What can I learn from last time?
While the growth of the seeds we plant depends on the condition of their heart and the work of the Spirit, we can use our past experiences to adjust our approach and give God’s Word the best chance to connect.
To do this, start by reflecting on your most recent experience sharing Jesus. Consider what went well and where there might be room for growth. If you’re looking for specific areas to reflect on, try asking yourself questions like:
- Where did I sense God’s presence or guidance during the conversation?
- How did I respond to their questions, concerns, or reactions?
- Did I communicate Jesus in a way that was relatable and meaningful to them?
- Was I actively listening to understand, or was I more focused on what I wanted to say?
Reflecting on these moments is a healthy step toward growth, but it’s important not to let it turn into overthinking. Celebrate the wins, note the learning points, and then move forward. Dwelling too long on a single experience can lead to self-doubt and discouragement. Instead, use what you’ve learned to be better prepared for the next opportunity God brings.
2. What can I expect for next time?
The expectations we have when planting seeds of faith can greatly affect the pressure we put on ourselves and how we feel about the outcome. The truth is, not every seed will show immediate results, but each one plays a role in the bigger story God is weaving.
If we judged the success of Jesus’ ministry at the moment of His crucifixion, it would have seemed like failure. Yet, it was the turning point in the greatest story ever told. Similarly, what can feel like a failed attempt to share Jesus, might actually be a step toward something greater that God is working on. So, let’s adjust our expectations to remember that God’s timing and purposes are beyond our understanding, and we can trust that His word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).
3. What do I do now?
Keep sharing Jesus. Great evangelists don’t stand out because of a few successes—they stand out because they keep sharing Jesus, no matter the outcome. Every experience builds confidence and resilience, preparing us for the next opportunity God brings. If a conversation didn’t go as planned, take heart, reflect, and trust God for another opportunity. Steady, patient persistence can often testify to the power of faith in Jesus. The people we share our faith with may even start to think, “If they care enough to keep coming back lovingly and patiently, maybe there’s something to this.”
Take the next step—don’t let disappointment hold you back. Keep sharing Jesus with love and faithfulness, trusting that each effort counts. Reflect, adjust, and go again, knowing that God is working through you. Every seed you plant matters, and in His timing, there will be a harvest.
Start today; your faithfulness can make an eternal impact.
Article supplied with thanks to The Journey by yesHEis.
About the Author: yesHEis provides various resources to help share your faith in relatable ways.
Feature image: Canva
