Overcoming Fear and Hesitation
For many of us, mission and evangelism feel daunting. We fear rejection, feel unqualified, or worry about saying the wrong thing.
But these hesitations are not new. Even the apostle Paul, one of the boldest evangelists in history, asked others to pray that he would declare the gospel “fearlessly” (Ephesians 6:19-20).
If fear holds you back, you’re not alone—but there are ways to overcome it and grow in confidence.
Common Fears and How to Overcome Them
1. Fear of Rejection
It’s natural to want approval from others. No one likes being ignored, ridiculed, or dismissed. However, Jesus reminded His followers:
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
Rejection of the gospel is not a rejection of you personally—it’s a response to Jesus. Our job is to share the message faithfully, leaving the results to God.
Overcoming This Fear:
- Remember that salvation is God’s work, not yours (John 6:44).
- Find encouragement in the fact that even Jesus was rejected.
- Focus on obedience rather than results.
2. Fear of Not Knowing Enough
Many Christians hesitate to evangelise because they feel unqualified. But the first disciples were ordinary people—fishermen, tax collectors—whom Jesus empowered to share the good news.
Overcoming This Fear:
- Be honest if you don’t know the answer to a question. Say, “That’s a great question. Let me look into it and get back to you.”
- Keep growing in your faith by reading Scripture and learning how to articulate key gospel truths.
- Trust that the Holy Spirit will help you in the moment (Luke 12:12).
3. Fear of Awkwardness
Talking about Jesus in a culture where faith is often private can feel uncomfortable. But awkwardness is temporary—eternity is not.
Overcoming This Fear:
- Start with small steps: share something simple, like how your faith impacts your life.
- Ask good questions rather than forcing a conversation. Try: “Have you ever had a spiritual experience?” or “If God were real, what would you ask him?”
- Remember that most people are open to meaningful conversations when approached with kindness and respect.
4. Fear of Offending Others
In a pluralistic society, we want to be sensitive to different beliefs. However, the gospel itself is challenging because it calls people to repentance and faith in Christ alone.
Overcoming This Fear:
- Share the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
- Emphasise personal testimony—your story isn’t something people can argue with.
- Let the Holy Spirit do the convicting work. You’re not responsible for changing hearts.
Remember...
Memorise 1 Timothy 1:7. Recall it when fear arises.
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
In Acts 4:29, the early church prayed. Pray this for yourself daily.
“Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”
Romans 8 has some wonderful truths to remember;
...the Spirit helps us in our weakness...
If God is for us, who can be against us?
We're not alone.
We're part of a body. A body with different personalities, gifts, and talents. God has invited all of us to join in with His mission. Communities are a great place to pray for each other for opportunities, to share our successes and failures; the rejoicing exciting moments, and the awkward embarrassing ones too!
Reflection Questions;
- What specific fears hold you back from sharing your faith?
- How has fear impacted your willingness to talk about Jesus?
- What small step can you take this week to grow in boldness?
