Reason for the Hope

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart 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,

I always hope that people will see my hope in Christ and ask me about it. It has happened a time or two, and what's amazing to me is that it is usually in a situation where I am unsure whether or not speaking the name of Jesus will be accepted. I find that after being able to speak it aloud, I am renewed with an even deeper hope. It's not easy to set your heart apart for Christ, much less tell someone about it. As I have grown in my relationship with God, I have found that the more I am willing to talk to others about it, the closer I become to Him. I spent time practicing those types of conversations with others that I knew were believers. Talking with other believers helped me to practice the gentleness and respect needed when sharing with a nonbeliever. I became comfortable with speaking out about my reason for hope simply by responding to people who asked, when I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to be honest. Pay attention to those inner prompts and those thoughts that come to mind when someone begins asking you about your hope. Give God the glory He is due and you will find something amazing happens between you and Him. I can't explain it, so go live it! 😊