“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15
In a story published by Runner’s World, it was reported that after finishing second two years in a row, Habtom Samuel finally secured his first NCAA cross-country championship title. You can read the story here. Samuel, a junior from New Mexico, won the men’s 10K at the NCAA Cross-Country Championships in Columbia, Missouri, running patiently in a lead pack before breaking away in the final mile. After years of coming up just short, he didn’t panic, surge too early, or leave the outcome to chance. He trusted his preparation. He stayed disciplined. And when the moment came, he was ready. After the race, Samuel explained that he never gave up. He kept working, kept training, kept fighting—patiently waiting for the right time to make his move.
This mindset carries a powerful lesson for believers.
In much the same way that Samuel prepared for years for the moment that would finally demand everything he had, God calls us to live spiritually prepared. When Peter writes to believers who were facing hostility, pressure, and real suffering for their faith, he doesn’t tell them to blend in, retreat, or stay silent. Instead, he tells them to be ready.
“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’” 1 Peter 3:14
It is essential that we understand that opposition creates opportunity.
When believers respond to hardship with peace instead of panic, hope instead of bitterness, and faith instead of fear—people notice. That contrast raises questions. And those questions open doors.
But we only make an impact for Christ—when we are spiritually prepared to walk through them.
Being “prepared to give an answer” does not happen by accident. It comes through spiritual training—reading, meditating on, and memorizing God’s Word with the same intentionality an elite athlete brings to training. Hope that is grounded in truth invites curiosity.
Peter instructs believers first to “revere Christ as Lord” in their hearts. Christ must reign in every area of our life. When He does, our response to suffering reflects the wisdom of His Word, and it becomes our testimony.
The way we live preaches long before we speak.
Suffering for what is right places us in uniquely God-ordained circumstances to show a kind of hope the world cannot manufacture. This hope is steady, unchanging, and independent of circumstances. It is this kind of hope that causes others to ask, “How can you remain hopeful in a situation like this?”
That question is an invitation to share our testimony of salvation.
And when the moment arrives, Peter is clear about how we are to respond—not with arrogance, not with hostility, not with rehearsed speeches meant to win arguments—but “with gentleness and respect.” Preparedness is not about being combative; it is about maximizing the opportunities to show others Jesus in us.
So don’t leave it to chance. Don’t assume you’ll know what to say when the moment comes. Train now. Put in the work. Store God’s Word in your heart so that when opportunity appears—perhaps only once—you are ready to point someone to the hope that anchors your life.
Just like Samuel didn’t leave his race to chance, don’t leave your witness to chance either.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, which gives us truth, confidence, and hope in every season. Help us to train faithfully in Scripture so we are ready when opportunities arise to explain why we hope in Christ. Teach us to respond with gentleness and respect, honoring You in both our lives and our words. Prepare us, Lord, to be faithful witnesses whenever You open the door. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Happy Running.
Melissa Sharp is an ultra runner and running coach who has completed more than 100 marathons and ultra marathons. Melissa has learned how to keep running the race of life for the glory of Christ even though she endured decades of domestic abuse. Melissa is a survivor. Through her daily blog thejoyfilledrunner she inspires others to live in the strength of Christ.
