When you're too scared or shy to share the gospel (but you want to anyway)

If you are reading this and relate to the title, I want to thank you. THANK YOU for being willing to do something, even if you don't like it, for the sake of obeying God. That's a rare thing nowadays. It speaks a lot about your character and humility that you want to try, even when you're unhappy, because you feel it's something God wants you to do!

Please be encouraged that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to share the gospel. The Bible makes it very clear that we're all different in our skills and abilities (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). Not everyone has the same exact talents, which means not everyone is going to be equally comfortable doing the same things (Ephesians 4:11-16). Some people have a very easy time talking about Jesus to others. Some people don't. And that's OK—you don't have to share the gospel in exactly the same way as other people.

Find a way to promote Jesus' message in a way that fits your skills and abilities. Live out a Christlike life allowing your words and actions to exemplify a life that is possible with God. Do what you can to tell others about Him if the chance arises. Even if it does not mean talking directly to people, you're still following everything God is asking of you. In fact, focusing on the unique skills God has given to you is a better use of your time and talents than trying to be something God may not have intended.

That might mean supporting others who do more face-to-face evangelism. It might mean writing, or music, or art, or something as simple as serving behind the scenes in ministry. All of those are just as necessary and just as valuable as being the one who explains the gospel to a lost person (1 Samuel 30:22-25).

At the same time, you can still work on becoming more comfortable when it comes to "traditional" witnessing (which is just sharing your faith with someone else). Take little opportunities when you find them, but don't feel as if you have to make a big speech or a dramatic presentation or carry the conversation all the way to a conversion moment. Remember that you are the seed-planter, and that it is God who draws a heart toward Him (John 6:44).

Just be you, knowing what you know, and being who you are. If you don't know the answer to a question, be honest, and tell them. There's no shame in waiting and looking up an answer later. Over time, especially if you know you have your own ways of following Christ's command to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), you won't feel as much pressure when you talk to people, and it will probably become easier.

No matter what, please continue to follow God's lead. I really appreciate the fact that you're willing to make an effort for His sake. I'm not saying you should take the "easy way out." That's not what this is about. All I'm saying is you don't need to transform yourself according to what other people do. Let God handle that (Romans 12:2), and you can just focus on doing what you know and what you can in order to make His gospel clear to the lost.

—Jeff

Writer: Jeff Laird

Jeff is a staff writer with Got Questions Ministries and used to be a mechanical engineer. When he's not accidentally setting things on fire in his workshop, or petting strange dogs, he loves helping people better understand God’s Word and how it applies to our lives. Jeff's calling is to untangle the "big picture" of Christian faith, making it easier to understand.

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