Your family sees how you handle everything—from the spilled coffee when you yelled into the air this morning to major life decisions. Like it or not, you’re on the job. First Peter 3:15–17 calls you to be calm, clear, and Christlike—ready to explain your hope. Don’t just show yourself; show your faith. Here’s how.

#1 Be READY: Be prepared, be gentle (v. 15). Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…

Peter’s point isn’t about winning every argument, but about witnessing when possible. Unbelievers will notice something different in the way you respond to things—whether your hope is in God or something else. Your hope will confuse the fearful world, so expect questions—and be ready to answer without being a jerk. Like Jesus, speak truth with grace.

#2 Be RESPECTFUL: Live clean, be clean (v. 16). [H]aving a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Let steady character—at work, online, and at home—speak for you. The enemy will ultimately run outta bullets. Actions flow from the heart, and public behavior ultimately mirrors private life. When your heart’s right, your mind is calm. You don’t need to glance over your shoulder, fearing the wrong you did is around the corner, trying to grab you.

#3 Be RESILIENT: Suffer for right, not wrong (v. 17). For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Peter describes suffering as victory—God sees, blesses, and will fight your battle. Being faithful is more important than being comfortable. Trust that He’s in control, not your enemy. When your life centers on Him, you can face challenges with peace and hope—because your confidence is in Christ alone.

Short Prayers for Family in Difficult Times: Hard times test our trust, but they also open the door to powerful moments of faith. Leading your family in short, focused prayers—no matter the struggle—teaches them where strength really comes from. When your home is pressed, let your prayers press in even deeper.

David “Goose” Mills on Being a Lighthouse, Not a Shipwreck: When life turns up the heat, will your leadership light the way—or drift into the rocks? David “Goose” Mills of Men’s Alliance Tribe shares practical ways dads can stay anchored in a world that’s constantly shaking. From paper Bibles to fire pits, Goose reminds us that steady “deposits” in your family and calm conviction can speak louder than lectures.

John Stott: “Our love grows soft if it is not strengthened by truth, and our truth grows hard if it is not softened by love.”

Oswald Chambers: “The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.”

Be calm, clear, and Christlike. Ask yourself: What one step—preparation, character, or consistency—will most clearly show hope to my wife, kids, and coworkers? Here are more questions to ask yourself.

#1 Be ready, be gentle: When I’m pressed thin, does my tone reflect Jesus?

#2 Live clean, be clean: Ask your wife: “Where does my walk not match my talk?”

#3 Suffer for right, not wrong: Before compromising, ask: “Will this choice age well before God?”

Time to make this week a great one.

Kent Evans
Author of Don’t Bench Yourself, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.