When Sharing Jesus Doesn't Go As Planned

Ever talked about your faith with someone and walked away thinking, "Na-gets kaya niya?" Yung buong puso mong shinare ang testimony mo sa officemate, pero ang sagot lang niya ay, “Ah okay, nice,” tapos biglang nag-change ng topic. O kaya, nag-invite ka sa church, pero pagkatapos nun… sineen-zone ka lang. Can we tell you something? Okay lang ma-disappoint when things don’t go the way you hoped. And honestly. Minsan, ganun talaga.

But here’s the good news: you’re not alone — and God’s not done with you yet. Even Jesus had moments where He was misunderstood, rejected, or dismissed. In His hometown of Nazareth, He was rejected by the very people who knew Him best (Luke 4:16-30). Even His closest disciples — who saw His miracles firsthand and walked with Him daily — still doubted Him in the middle of a storm (Matthew 8:23-27).

These moments probably didn’t go the way Jesus hoped either. Just like Jesus, we all go through moments of disappointment. But the real test is how we respond. If we’re not careful, disappointment can easily turn into discouragement when we start to believe we’ve failed. But the truth is: Successful evangelism isn’t measured by the outcome, but our obedience to share and sow the seed.

In Matthew 13, Jesus shares a parable about a farmer scattering seeds on different types of soil. The growth of the plant didn’t depend on how skilled the farmer was, but on the condition of the soil. Reminder ito para sa atin: our role is to plant the seed — the growth is up to God. 

So if you're reading this and feeling disappointed because things didn’t turn out the way you hoped for when you shared about Jesus — don’t be discouraged! God sees your heart and your faithfulness. But if that experience made you want to grow and be better prepared for the next time, here are three reflection questions to help you get ready to share Jesus again.

1. 1. What lessons can I learn from last time?

While the growth of the seeds we plant depends on the person’s heart and the work of the Holy Spirit, we can still learn from past experiences and adjust how we share—so that God’s Word can connect more meaningfully.

To do this, start by thinking back to the last time you shared Jesus with someone. What went well? Saan ka nahirapan? May part ba na pwede pang i-improve? Kung hindi ka sure saan magsisimula, here are a few helpful questions to guide your reflection:

• — May moment ba in the conversation where I felt God leading?
• — Paano ako nag-respond sa mga questions, concerns, or reactions nila? Was I Christ-like?
• — Na-explain ko ba si Jesus in a way that's relatable and meaningful but still biblical?
• — Was I actively listening to understand, o mas focus ba ako sa gusto kong sabihin?

Taking time to reflect on what happened is a good step toward growth — just don’t let it turn into overthinking. Celebrate the small wins, take note of what you can improve, then keep moving forward. Overthinking on one moment can keep you from moving forward in faith. Instead, take what you’ve learned and let it prepare you for the next moment God opens up.

2. 2. What can I expect for next time?

Sometimes, we expect big results right away when we share our faith—and when that doesn’t happen, we start putting pressure on ourselves. Sa totoo lang, not every seed will show immediate results — pero bawat isa mahalaga sa mas malaking plano na ginagawa ni God.

If we judged Joseph’s story while he was in prison, it would’ve looked like his life was going nowhere. Pero alam natin, that low point was actually part of God’s plan to raise him up and save many lives. Same goes for us—yung akala mong failed attempt, pwedeng part lang pala ng mas malaking ginagawa ni God. Kaya ayusin natin ‘yung mindset natin—God’s timing is always different from ours, but we can trust that He’s working, and His Word never goes to waste (Isaiah 55:11).

3. 3. What do I do now?

Patuloy lang sa pag-share kay Jesus. The most impactful evangelists weren’t known for just a few big wins—they stood out kasi hindi sila basta-basta sumusuko, kahit ano pa yung naging outcome. Every time you step out in faith, God is moving. He’s growing your confidence, strengthening your boldness, and getting you ready for the next opportunity He’s preparing. Kung may conversation na hindi umayon sa plano mo, trust that the Lord is working behind the scenes. Your steady and patient faith may speak louder than you think. It may even cause people to think: "Bakit sobrang passionate siya sa faith niya? Sino ba tong Jesus na lagi niyang pinag-uusapan?”

Kaya don’t stop, kapatid. Take the next step. Keep sharing Jesus—with love, humility, and faith. Reflect, adjust, and go again, knowing that God is working through you. Every seed you plant has value. And in God’s perfect timing, it will grow.

‍Start today. Your faithfulness might be what leads someone closer to Jesus.