6 PLACES IN THE BIBLE TO DIRECT YOUR NEWLY INCARCERATED LOVED ONE FOR COMFORT.
The bible is full of promises that brings people comfort. However, for someone without much experience with the bible it can be hard to navigate, and they can easily lose interest.
When I was first incarcerated inmates would tell me to read the bible for comfort. Without any guidance I found no peace or comfort with what I was reading. For one thing, the bible I was reading was the King James version and might as well have been another language.
I was determined to learn more with all the time on my hands, so I ended up finding a teen study bible and it was perfect. The language made sense to me.
I encourage you to either send or direct your loved one to a bible that they can start with. Prison Book Project PO Box 1146, Sharpes, Fl 32952 will send your loved one a bible upon their request. Make sure they ask for one they can really understand and ask specifically for a study bible.
Here are 6 places in the bible that I found comfort in the beginning of my incarceration and my walk with God. I hope they help your loved one too.
1. Jeremiah 29:11–14 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me whole heartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you, says the Lord. I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.
Wow did this comfort me! Without experience with the bible I was intimidated by the old testament and didn’t know anything about this gem!
Encourage your loved one to read these verses. Makes sure they know this is a promise. I know once I read this, I was obsessed with finding more scripture that spoke to me about my situation.
2. Isaiah 61 Good news for the Oppresses.
Oh, how I love this chapter, ALL OF IT! I don’t think it would have resonated with me if I wasn’t in prison, but I am, and it means so much to me.
3. Isaiah 54:17
Um yes please! Every prisoner knows the embarrassment and shame that comes with a prison sentence. If your case was like mine, you were in the news, in the paper, and all over the internet. The guilt for embarrassing my family was more than I could bare sometimes. Silencing the voices raised up to accuse me was music to my ears.
4. Exodus 14:14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.
I have been a fighter my whole life. I have been battling for as long as I can remember. When I turned myself in, I knew it was out of my hands. I found this promise and held on tight. I remember repeating it to myself over and over before, during, and after my sentencing. I did it so much I didn’t hear what the judge said… I knew it was time to shut up and sit down. The Lord continues to fight for me, and I continue to tell myself this promise all the time.
5. 2 Chronicles 7:14
I often write this places that I can see it when I am feeling week or feel I am losing focus.
6. Esther. The whole book
I love the story of Esther. If your loved one is a female, they will love it!
