Do you have a favorite T-shirt? I usually have one that I like better than the rest—maybe because of the design, the comfort, or just the way it fits. For the last few years, my favorite says, “Stay Stoked.” People will repeat it back to me or ask, “Are you stoked?” Honestly, it’s a pretty good reminder for me of why I am stoked every time I wear it.
In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter talks about “the hope that is in you.” He’s encouraging believers who face suffering and questioning to remember that their hope has a reason. That reason is Jesus—who He is and what He has done gives us hope that cannot be shaken. In a way, you could say that Peter is calling us to stay stoked in our faith.
To be stoked is to be excited, joyful, and full of anticipation—because something good is happening. That’s exactly what our hope in Jesus should do for us. But let’s be real: life is hard. Peter knew that firsthand. He had moments when he shied away from conflict, even denying Jesus out of fear. Yet, Jesus never gave up on him. He kept working in Peter’s heart, shaping him into someone who boldly proclaimed the life-changing hope of Christ.
Staying stoked in hope doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine or faking it to look good for others. It’s not about ignoring struggles or lying to ourselves to feel better. Sometimes, we bury our feelings because we think we “should” feel better. But true hope isn’t something you have to manufacture—it’s anchored in who we are in Christ. Hope reminds us we are loved. It promises a future. It connects us to our Savior. And that kind of hope, It’s worth more than gold. It’s what allows us to face anything with confidence. It allows us to stand on the firm foundation we have in Christ.
So, how’s your hope today? Could you wear my favorite t-shirt in an honest way and explain your hope if someone asks? Are you staying stoked in Jesus? My prayer is that Jesus blesses you in ways that remind you of the unshakable hope you have in Him—and that your hope and stoke shine brightly to the world around you.
Pastor Jeremy Johnson