#1 Start Talking

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Colossians 4:6 1984 NIV

If you are in prison, how is your anxiety level right now?  You lost your freedom, they took away your name and gave you a number, you are forced to live with killers, robbers, drug dealers and rapists, you are isolated from your family, friends and your loved ones, you got time to do and there is no way of getting out of it.  I am betting your anxiety level is pretty darn high right now. 

With all this time on your hands, I am betting you are spending a lot of hours each day and night filled with thoughts of doom, gloom and helplessness.

If that is you, try this.  Try simply talking to God about it.  Don't worry about whether you believe HE exists or not.  Don't worry about whether HE hears you or not.  Don't worry about whether HE cares or not.  Just simply start talking to God from your heart about what is bothering you.

For me, that was the start of my salvation and healing.  I did not use set prayers, I did not get down on my knees or in a certain position, I simply started talking to what I thought at the time was thin air. Sometimes, I walked the track in the prison yard and talked to HIM. However, little by little, day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year, I began to notice things were slowly changing for the better.  Little things at first, like a frequent visit, less fights with other inmates, always having plenty of commissary, and the ability to sleep at night.  And on top of all of that, this strange peace came over me, like everything was going to be ok now.

I stopped worrying about things.  I just dumped them on God when I had them and left them in HIS capable hands.  I also thanked God for every positive little thing that began to happen.

Eventually, I learned that God is real, HE does exist and HE cares about me.  I learned HE created this universe (Gen 1:1)  I learned that God created me (Psalm 139:13)  That HE has a good plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11) and that every hair on my head was numbered (Matthew 10:29-30)  I learned all of this and so much more, but it started with talking to a God that I never even thought existed.

So talk to God and keep that line of communication open.  Don't expect anything to happen, just talk to God and watch.  For every little thing that is good, no matter how small, whether you mean it or not, thank HIM for it.

This also applies to someone getting out of prison.  After years of being locked up, you are suddenly thrust back into this world where everything has changed.  You are out, but you have no money, no job, no place to live, your old friends are tempting you to go back to your old ways, all kinds of things are happening. I know how it is.  Instead of worrying about them and getting all anxious and frustrated, talk to God about them.  Ask for guidance and even a few miracles.  God is a miracle working God.  Dump all your worries and cares upon HIM.  What have you got to lose?  Do you really want to get out and go back to your old ways and end up right back in the prison you left?  I am betting not.  Not unless you are insane or something.

Now I have told you what to do, the question is, will you do it?