Why is Talking About Jesus so Hard?

By Krista Breilh

If I believe Jesus is why I can inherit peace, joy, and ultimately eternal life, so why do I shy away from speaking confidently about the One who gives life?

Every week we live, encounter, meet, and interact with hundreds of people. Some of those people profess faith in Jesus, while others are completely opposed to it. Others practice a different religion, and some have no idea what they believe at all. These ratio of belief to unbelief will differ depending on where you live, your circle of friends, your co-workers, your peers, and so on. Some of you operate in Christian dominated circles with only a few people who do not believe in the Gospel, while some of you might feel like you are the only Christian for miles.

As women of God, my heart for all of us, regardless of what environment we are in, is that we speak our convictions and beliefs with passion and assurance in ways that do not shame others in the process. I remember being in high school—at times ashamed to claim my faith in Jesus—afraid of what others might think. I was also scared that if I said I was Christian, they might think I thought I was better than them. Can anyone relate to that? Even now, there are times when I get that same nervous feeling before I explain that I work for a Christian non-profit. Sometimes, when I’m asked what I do, I say, “I work for a non-profit,” and leave the Christian part out of it. When that happens, I usually walk away disappointed with myself. If I truly believe that I am a Christian and that my faith in the Lord is why I can possess peace, joy, excitement for the future, security in the unknown, and a promise of eternal life, it doesn’t make sense that I hesitate to speak confidently about my faith.

But these are all things I believe we are called to as women of God who are trying to make His Kingdom come here on earth. Jesus made it His purpose to go out and share the Gospel (the good news) during His time on earth, then I believe it is what we are supposed to do too.

“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” Mark 16:15

So how do I walk out my faith around non-believers?

This is a question I have spent a good part of my life asking myself and mentors about. It’s a question that I am still developing solutions for: tips for sharing with non-believers and people professing faith in other religions. I am excited to share my experience and tidbits of wisdom with you, but I am more excited for you to discover wisdom for yourself as you start to engage in more intentional conversations with non-believers. 

I hope and pray these tips help you gain the confidence to go out, proclaim, and stand firm in your beliefs with total strength in who you are and who God has created you to be. 

4 Tips On How to Confidently Share Your Faith with Non-Believers

Tip 1) Get Over the Idea that Talking About Faith is Taboo

So often, people do not bring up conversations about religion and beliefs because it is too touchy of a subject. However, it is one of the most important conversations we will ever have with others. What a person believes about God and faith will change their life on earth and where they will be for eternity. I’d like us to start having more daily conversations about faith, so we might spark a desire in others to learn more about what it is that they believe in.

Tip 2) Have Childlike Curiosity About Their Beliefs

What I mean by this is to go into a conversation with those of varying beliefs with childlike wonder so you can learn more about them and what they believe. I used to be so scared about asking my friends what they believed. What if we got into a heated debate or discussion? But when you ask about their beliefs with childlike curiosity, you don’t have to hesitate. How would you ask your friend what they’re passionate about? Let your focus be on developing relationships with other people, loving them where they are, understanding them and their world, and walking with them as sisters toward Jesus.

Here are a few questions that I use to bring up topics that can lead to discussions on faith:

What do you believe happens when you die?

Do you believe in aliens?

Where do you think humans came from?

Where do someone’s core personality and desires come from?

Who created love and why does it exist?

These are questions that you might not have an answer for yourself, but they are ones that are fun to ask with childlike wonder. You are being curious about the world and want to learn more, not trying to make a point or to convert them. Give it a whirl, and let us know what happens in the comments below!

Tip 3) Proclaim Your Faith with Confidence

When you say you are a Christian say it like it is a response to, “what are you passionate about?”. This is the reason you are who you are and do what you do. This also goes for when people ask what you did over the weekend. If you went to church, say it confidently. It is just like saying you went to a movie; even though you know it means more to you than that. If you had a Bible study group on a Wednesday night, say you went to Bible study, not that you just hung out with a group of girls and talked about life. 

Proclaiming with confidence all of your interactions with your faith could open doors to people down the road following up with you and asking you about what you believe.

Tip 4) Act Wisely

You might not be aware of it, but people are watching your actions. Whether it’s because of what you choose to post on IG or Facebook or because of how you interact and speak about yourself and others: people are observing. One of my all-time favorite verses reminds us to:

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.“  (Colossians 4:5)

You never know how God is going to use one of your interactions with other people. It could be a complete stranger that you talk to for five minutes in passing, or it could be a long chat that you have with an old friend from high school. He could use you as you walk around being uniquely you (your open smile, your compulsive need to pick up after others), to complete His work. In every opportunity, there is a chance for God to be glorified in it.

When you are in a group, do you find yourself gossiping about others, or do you find yourself celebrating and championing them? Are you asking questions and engaging with the people in front of you, or wishing you were talking with others? Are you generous with your time and actions?

Opportunities come and go, let’s be wise in how we act so that we can be used by God in all circumstances!

Now Go For It!

Ladies you are equipped to engage in these conversations because you have the Lord on your side! Remember that wherever you go, He goes with you, moves through you, and equips you with boldness and confidence.

Some Questions to Ponder Before Initiating Conversation:

1. Where in your life do you get uncomfortable when talking about your faith? What do you think it is that makes you feel so uncomfortable?
2. Who do you think the Lord could be calling you to be more vocal about your faith around? A family member? A friend? A co-worker? On social media?
3. In what situation do you find it the hardest to talk about your faith?
4. If you are living in a situation where you do not engage with a lot of non-believers, how might you be intentional about finding unbelievers and engaging with them?

Pray

Dear God,

Thank you SO much for loving us first so that we may go out and love others with the love you have shown us. We pray that you use us to engage in conversations with others to spark their curiosity about you. We pray that you give us childlike curiosity to know them and the boldness and confidence to proclaim our faith to them. Let us not give a second thought to what the culture might say or think about us as we share you with the world. We know that you are the Way to true life and life to the fullest. We are so blessed to be able to live life with you. Use us, and show us ways to bring You more glory!

Love,

Your Daughter