When Things Don't Go As Planned When Sharing Your Faith

This is probably the number one thing playing through most people's heads as they go out to share with people: What if something doesn't go right?

Well... it happens! Life can be unpredictable sometimes and in those moments the best we can do is go with the flow.

This blog we're going to talk about just that: what to do when "what if" actually happens.

WHAT IF...

10. What if I pray for someone and nothing happens?

The root behind this question might be really: what if I look stupid?

We don't want to step out onto a limb and potentially fail. It's embarrassing.

But a few questions can help us clear things up:

How do we know that something won't happen later? There were many occasions of Jesus praying for someone and they were healed "as they went" (aka later).
What's our real motive for praying for someone? Is it to look good? If not, does it matter if we look silly?

A few of my go-to responses when I put my hands on someone and I don't see anything happen on the spot are these:

"Sometimes healing can happen on the spot, but other times it can be like poking a hole in a bottle of water for the water to fall out - it can take a little bit for it all to complete. Jesus had these kinds of healing too."
"Just because you don't feel anything now doesn't mean that you are broken. Nor does it mean that nothing is happening."

(I say this because some people might be tempted to think something is wrong with them that they couldn't receive. That's not true. I also don't conclude something is wrong with me. I also just assume they're still receiving despite the instance they don't feel anything happening.)

"I'm just a crazy Christian who believes that God still heals people today through normal people like me. He loves you so much. Thanks for letting me pray for you."

My key effort here is to make sure they feel better after having met me than they did before they met me. With or without the miracle.

I also take this time as an opportunity to try for a word of knowledge. If I get nothing then I simply pray the best prayer over them I could think of.

9. What if I start the conversation with someone but never actually get around to praying for them or mentioning anything about God?

When you walk and talk, you're doing it all in the name of Jesus. It's not like only when you say "in the name of Jesus" does it become official.

You have Holy Spirit in you so you are 100% always operating in Jesus name (or rather should be). This should make you second guess about doing that stuff that Jesus wouldn't.

Why? Because you are His representative right now "as He is so now are we in this world."

Other wise we would essentially be able to turn on/off this Christianity thing. It doesn't work that way.

When you have an encouraging conversation with someone, God is big enough to use that in the grand scheme of things to accomplish what He wants.

You are not the savior. You represent Him. So even just loving people is bringing light into this world.

I wouldn't use that as a strategy, but rather to allow yourself to take all the pressure off of having to perform.

Holy Spirit is the greatest evangelist EVER. He can take care of it and He will use whatever He's got access too.

Even if that's just you handing out a balloon animal to someone's kid and wishing them a great day.

8. What if I start the conversation and don't know what to say at all?

Then go with the flow and have a normal conversation.

It always helps to have an idea of what you'd like to say or what question you plan on using to open up the conversation (questions which you can find in these blogs)

But don't put so much pressure on yourself. Just be human. Just love them as human. God can do the rest.

7. What if they get really offended at me?

I had this one guy absolutely blow up at me when he realized I was Christian and was praying for everyone.

I found that super interesting so I later found him elsewhere in the mall - actually I caught him complaining about me to two other mall workers - and I simply asked what was up.

I asked why he was so offended and he began to share his opinions. Some of them were very aggressive opinions.

I tried to get him into conversation about it but he wouldn't have it. I have honestly never seen someone get that emotionally worked up over anything.

In this case a conversation wasn't possible. He wasn't able to be civil about it. And in those cases you just have to bless them and walk away.

You can't force a conversation that isn't going to happen.

If the person however is open to explaining what's going on, perhaps you have an opportunity to address some of those issues.

It could be a complete misunderstanding but you won't know until you ask.

But don't feel intimidated by people who get offended at you.

As long as you are representing yourself appropriately and in love, you are covered. Just remember the world hates you only because it hated Jesus first.

6. What if they ask me a tough question?

1 Peter 3:15 - "be sure to give an answer to every man that asks you for a reason of the hope that is in you."

In other words, try not to get flat footed with the questions. Which is generally easy to do when you know why you believe what you do.

Don't just go to church or follow Jesus because that's just what you've always done. Do it because it's true! If it's not true, then why are you doing it? Wouldn't you want to know?

As you answer those questions for yourself you will find that you can answer those questions for others.

But in the case that they ask you a question you don't know the answer too, you can say "That's a great question. Can I get back to you on that?" If you can that's great. Make sure you get the answer for them if possible.

If it's not possible you can say, "Thanks for that question. I never saw it that way. You've really helped with my perspective. Thank you."

If they ask you a good question thank them for it. They are helping you grow. But after a little bit of studying, your confidence will go way up and you'll be less intimidated by tough questions.

Some great resources for you will be at the bottom of this blog.

5. What if I don't get the chance to ask someone if they want to receive Jesus?

How often did you see Jesus doing alter calls after his encounters with people?

He did often tell people to follow Him but He never lead anyone through some sort of magical prayer. He just said "follow me." You can basically leave it at that level too if you want.

The "salvation prayer" really only came around in the early 20th century. So what did believers do before that? Were they actually saved?

Yes because it's not about saying some magic prayer. It's about believing it to the point where you profess it which is what Romans 10:9-10 is talking about.

If you don't get the chance to ask someone if they want Jesus or not, like mentioned earlier, Holy Spirit is a big boy. He is the best evangelist out there. He'll get them to that point.

Have a bit more faith in Him that He can do a better job that you. Take the pressure of yourself.

At the same time however, there's no harm in asking someone if they want Jesus.

But if you don't get to that point in the conversation, just pray afterwards that God would seal the deal.

4. What if I look stupid?

Then you have been called.

1 Corinthians 2:27-30 "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."

If you look stupid then God is able to do His best work.

This doesn't call for you to deliberately go out and make a fool of yourself though. A lot of damage has been done in the lives of well meaning people simply because some Christian got really weird on them.

But rather it's to say that God can use you as you. You don't have to be some rock star preacher to reach someone, nor do you have to have it all together.

If you approach someone with love, sincerity, and preparedness a little bit and the person still things you look like an idiot, you are well on the right path.

Is Jesus worth looking stupid for? Is your neighbor worth feeling stupid for in order that they might get to meet Jesus out of it possibly? The answer to those are yes.

3. What if they don't want to talk at all?

Then don't force the conversation. There's not much else you can do other than bless them where they are and pray for them afterwards.

If you have the #luxury of meeting them again, then try again with a different approach.

Some people just aren't ready to talk yet and that's okay. #Love them anyways.

2. What if they need help?

Be prepared to get involved in some people's lives. If they need help do not wait for the next person to come behind you and do it.

You take care of it in the best possible way available to you.

Maybe it's help through you personally or maybe it's finding someone more qualified to help than you are (like a nurse or police officer if the need calls for it).

But no more passive #Christianity. Believers were known to be the kinds of people who would be the only ones not evacuating a town submerged in plague.

These people would then go into the houses of the sick and serve them. It was said they were almost excited about how many sick there were for how big a demonstration of love they could show. Check this article out - you'll love it.

That is love. That is Jesus style Christianity.

1. What if they do receive Jesus?

Next step is #discipleship.

Have a church or place you can point them to for continual growth. Don't just leave them hanging that's like leaving a baby on their own to fend for themselves.

They just got "born again" so in some ways they are a new baby. Help them grow. Discipleship is super important in the Christian's life so make sure you know of a good church or area that is teaching people about their identity in Jesus. Not just religion and how to modify behaviors. But who they are in #Jesus.

Curry Blake and Pete Cabrera Jr. are amazing teachers for this. But before you point them there, you should also get well grounded in this as well.

It could also be a good idea to get involved in their lives to whatever level they are okay with. Maybe invite them out for a coffee or invite them out to your church.

Maybe leave them with your number in case they have any questions. Either way, the next step is to get them discipled up in their identity with Jesus.

RESOURCES FOR TOUGH QUESTIONS

What are your thoughts?

What are some of your biggest What If's? Have they been holding you back? What can you do to get over them?