All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
failing to witness
hi, if you have seen some of my previous posts, you probably know that i suffer from social awkwardness.
so last night some neighbours had my husband and i and our son over for dinner. we only met them about a month ago and so we're very loosely acquainted.
after dinner the conversation kept going. we got on the topic of the state of the world. its clear these neighbours don't know the Lord.
then the woman asked me something like, "so in light of the terrible state the world is in, how do you have hope?"
i've never had such a perfect entrance into sharing my faith.
but i basically stuttered and talked around in circles and didn't confess Jesus. my mind was thinking, "i want to develop a relationship with these people slowly and share my faith as we get to know eachother better.
still, i know i have let my Lord down and talked in circles instead of declaring His glory in confidence.
i prayed and asked the Lord to forgive me and to give me boldness. i just feel terrible
has anyone else experienced such a lack of boldness?
any advice?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by feet breath on
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Friend, I've failed to witness alot of times. I can't even seem to witness to a lost friend at a local Kroger (she worked there)...
Jesus sees our hearts. He knows our intentions. Remember His strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinths 12:9. You asked Him to forgive you. He is faithful so He forgave you :).
It takes alot of prayer. Pray He gives you boldness and that the Holy Spirit speaks through you the next time. He is very pacient. He is so pacient...He waited almost 2 years after He saved me for me to even care about peoples' souls.
The most importent thing though is show them the love of Jesus. Like people have told me though it is the Lord who wins the souls not us. I still need Him to remind me of that.
I'll pray for ya sis that He gives you boldness!
In Christ,
feetbreeze
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Permalink Reply by Jenny on
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thanks sis,
you're right, the most important thing is to show the love of Jesus.
and the Lord has been patient with me too, praise the Lord and His love towards us!
love,
jenny
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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on
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Jenny,
We all have failed to accomplish something we should have done regarding living for the Lord. The best we can do is to ask God to forgive our failure, if warranted, and move forward seeking to learn from our past. We can also ask Him to help us next time.
Lord Bless,
LT
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thanks LT, for some reason i felt like i had lost my salvation after failing in that way.
but you have reminded me, "my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness"
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You are held by Him, saved by grace and this salvation is maintained by His grace, not our works.
Lord Bless,
LT
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Permalink Reply by Amanda on
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Jenny, the door will open again, and it may be that all that these neighbors really need is just to "see" how you live your good life for the Lord and see your good works. Just remember what it says in Jonah 3:1. There will be another chance. Even when we goof up. Social pressure and fear can be difficult to manage. You are learning. It takes time. This experience is just part of the work that God is doing in you. Part of His clay molding process with you, as well as with those people also. Be encouraged.
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ah thanks sister, your words bring much encouragement, and i thank the Lord for all of these replies
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Permalink Reply by adam chung on
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Hey Jenny,
It is understandable that you kind of hesitated when the opportunity came, especially if they are just acquaintances, or if you are relatively new at professing your faith. However as you know, He does call us to preach the word to those around us, both Christians and non-Christians alike.
"Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." -2 Timothy 4:2
However, don't give up hope! There will be many more opportunities to share your faith, even with that same couple you mentioned above. We all struggle with this at some point or another. For me, it is hard for me to face rejection, or making the relationship awkward or possibly pushing them away. However, we shouldn't worry about the outcome because it is ultimately in God's hands. Remember, if God is for us, who can stand against us? It helps to focus on God's work at hand, rather than what they may think or say about you. Pray for God to give you the words to touch their hearts. And whatever happens, at least you can be confident that the seed has been sown, which God can cause to flourish and transform their lives at some point.
Also, kudos for feeling the conviction! Many people pass up these opportunities all of the time and may not even think twice about it. Thank God for His spirit that lives in us and directs us every day of our lives!
Have a blessed day
-Adam
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Hi Adam,
Your words here are very convicting and I feel encouragement in them as well, with the reminder that, "whatever happens, at least you can be confident that the seed has been sown, which God can cause to flourish and transform their lives at some point."
Amen brother, and thanks.
Jenny
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Wow Moniker, that's a great thing the Lord is doing for you, preparing you for the calling He has given to you.
I pray for your boldness as well.
Any thoughts on why boldness comes little by little for some and seemingly all at once for others?
I read a book about Christianity in China, and new converts were often willing to give immediate testimony even in danger of being sent to prison.
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