Do it with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 3:14-17, But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, 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, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

We live a life of comfort for the most part, and our culture has the idea that suffering is always bad and to be avoided at all costs. The great counterexample to this is Jesus Christ, who departed His glory to enter this world as one of us, and ultimately to suffer unfairly and even die to set us free from the power of sin and death. We certainly don’t have to seek suffering out, but should it come even through righteous acts, we may have an opportunity to share the reason for the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Certainly many of the early believers suffered, with many even to giving their lives rather than recant their faith and the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Would I be able to make a defense for the hope that is me gently and with respect to others who who may revile or slander me?

We need the power of Your spirit to make a defense for the hope that is within us with gentleness and respect!

ESV Lectionary