Hopelessness can abandon us in inactivity, so this verse rightly calls us to action; even more, it invites us to be proactive, “preparing [our] minds”, not just reacting to the moment.  However, action alone is not only incomplete, it can actually be counter-productive.

“...being sober-minded”: our ability to engage with hope depends on our willingness to do so with awareness, intentionality, and — most importantly — humility.  Plenty of people are quick to take action; few do so having done the work of honestly naming their motives, expectations, and limitations.  James 1:19 says “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”; those who are not sober-minded tend to do the opposite.

There are many intoxicating thoughts that can dull our ability to perceive Truth and provoke us to rashness, and rashness is destructive when something is long-term, as is the case of this hope we are called to embrace.  “At the revelation of Jesus Christ,” or “when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” in the NIV, leaves no question that our engagement is not about the here-and-now; unfortunately, too many of our thoughts and responses are.  Peter invites us to prepare for this, readying our minds for the inevitable distractions and temptations that can distract us from eternity.

I am so quick to relapse into human understanding; Holy Spirit, sober me up.