When Sharing the Gospel Becomes a Burden? A Letter to the Zealous Heart.
- Justine Wisdom
- Sep 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 26
By someone who understands the ache.
Dear Friend in Christ,
I know your heart.
It’s the kind of heart that carries people, your children, your spouse, your family, your friends, before God every day.
It’s the kind of heart that weeps when someone you love drifts from the Church.
The kind that aches when people ignore or mock what’s most sacred to you.
And because you love them so deeply, you try to help.
You speak up. You challenge. You remind. You correct.
You bring up faith at every opportunity because eternity is no small matter.
You do it out of love.
But can I share something that may be hard to hear, but healing to receive?
Sometimes, the way we try to share Jesus… isn’t how He shared Himself.
⸻
Jesus Walked With, He Didn’t Push
In Luke 10, Jesus sends out the seventy-two disciples to share the Good News. But His instructions are surprising.
“If your peace rests on them, stay. If not, let your peace return to you… And if they do not welcome you, shake the dust from your feet and move on.” (Luke 10:6, 11)
Jesus never forced Himself into hearts.
He knocked, He didn’t barge in.
He invited, He didn’t guilt.
And when people rejected Him, He didn’t chase them, He loved them, and let them go.
When the rich young man walked away, Jesus didn’t argue.
He looked at him with love. And let him walk.
Why?
Because real love honors the freedom to choose.
⸻
The Cost of Carrying What Isn’t Ours
When we try to “convince” someone into faith before their heart is ready, we don’t just lose effectiveness, we risk losing our peace.
We become anxious, frustrated, even resentful.
And when we operate from anxiety, we stop reflecting the very peace we’re trying to share.
If your peace isn’t coming back to you, maybe it’s time to step back.
Not to stop loving.
Not to stop praying.
But to entrust them to Jesus, who loves them infinitely more than we do.
⸻
We Are Witnesses, Not Saviors
It’s humbling to admit that we can’t save anyone.
Only God can stir a soul to respond.
Our calling is not to fix people.
It’s to reflect Christ so clearly that when they’re finally ready to seek truth, they’ll know where to look.
As the Catechism says:
“Evangelization is accomplished through the witness of life resplendent in faith, hope, and charity.” (CCC 905)
Sometimes, the most powerful witness is quiet, consistent, joyful living.
A life rooted in peace. A love without conditions.
A calm presence that says, “I’m here. And so is God.”
⸻
A Final Word for the Zealous Heart
You are not failing because your loved ones aren’t changing.
You are not responsible for their conversion.
You are responsible for loving them, being patient with them, and surrendering them to the One who never gives up on them.
And maybe, just maybe, what their hearts need most right now is not another conversation,
but a peaceful witness.
A soul so in love with Christ
that it makes them wonder what they’re missing.
Stay faithful.
Stay peaceful.
And trust the rest to God.
With love and understanding,
A fellow traveler who’s learning the same lesson. Surrender and trust Him.
Justine Wisdom | Made For Battle
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