“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

To encourage his readers Peter instructs the suffering church to be prepared by preparing their minds for action. How are they to do that? By studying, planning, and praying. Likewise, we prepare our minds by what we read, watch, and think about. We go to school to prepare our minds. Peter wanted them and us to recognize right doctrine so we are not misled by every fanciful interpretation that comes along. There are many. We are prepared for hardship when we study the lives of the saints of the Bible. In other words, make the Bible part of your life. Study it. Meditate on it. Pray about it. Plan to put it in to practice.

What type of things feed your mind? Romance novels? TV soap opera? Pornography? Gossip magazines? Would Jesus join you in your internet surfing and your favorite web pages?   

In addition to preparing your mind is learning self-control. It is one thing to know the truth and another to practice it. Act on your knowledge. With most of our destructive behaviors the problem isn’t knowing what to do, it is the power to do it. Our emotions or inertia too often get in the way of productive Christian living.

Self-control begins by not letting our circumstances control us. It is not denying the truth, but drawing upon a greater truth that Christ is in you. He is our hope. Self-control involves acting according to the Word of God and recognizes the Holy Spirit empowers us to move ahead.

Another way we can be prepared for action is looking at the longer picture. God has more to do and we are still being made into holiness. The hope of the grace given is the confidence in the second coming of Jesus, yet, God’s grace is brought to you day by day. How has God demonstrated His grace to you yesterday? What blessings have you ignored? Remember, greater grace is yet to come.   

There is a saying in India, "The world is merely a bridge; Ye are to pass over it, not build your dwelling upon it."

Application:  Suffering and loneliness, hardships and difficulties prepare us for heaven. If we seek satisfaction in this life, we will be sadly disappointed. Setting our minds on truth, putting to action through self-control and obedience, and focusing on the long picture is preparing for righteous action. 

Prayer:  Lord, I know that greater grace is yet to come.  Help me to see the graces you pour out on me day by day.   Then, let me not forget to give thanks to You ini all circumstances.