For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but
of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
Yesterday, I was having a conversation with two men who were both in their early thirties...
of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
Yesterday, I was having a conversation with two men who were both in their early thirties...
They happened to see my prison identification number that's above the top left pocket of my dark green uniform shirt. Every inmate must have his ID number clearly visible, and so they saw mine. But when they saw it, which begins with #78, their mouths dropped open.
They looked at me with amazement. They said at almost the exact same time, "Hey pop, you've been 'down' since 1978?" The "78" represents the year that I was sentenced, but I was arrested in 1977, I told them. When I said it's been forty-three years now, they asked how I managed to keep my sanity. It was an honest question, and one I've been asked countless times.
I told them it's been my faith in God that has kept me sane and always thinking positive. As many an inmate will confess, in this environment the first thing a man will begin to lose, is his mind. The stresses of prison life can take a toll. If not properly dealt with, it could rob him of his sanity first, and his physical health second. I have seen the reality of this many times. Depression, mental breakdowns, and suicide are familiar occurrences.
I began this entry with a Scripture passage from the apostle Paul’s letter to his young spiritual son Timothy, whom he had been mentoring for many years. Paul told Timothy to always have faith in Christ, no matter what challenges he may have to face in life. Paul was confined at the time to a Roman prison, where he was awaiting execution.
Paul reminded young Timothy that God does not want His people to live in fear. He has given us power, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us, to endure and overcome any and all opposition which may come our way.
Plainly said, God wants His children to walk in love, showing mercy and kindness to all. But we need to be tough-minded as well. A disciple needs a balanced and decisive mind that will not buckle under pressure. This is the mind which the Christian already possesses, along with a strong inner spirit that's built on faith, and a working knowledge of the Scriptures. Having these will allow the believer to defeat whatever negative circumstances come against him.
While I didn't go into all these details with the guys I was talking to, I did tell them about my faith in God and how he has not only forgiven my sins but has helped me to cope with incarceration.
D.B.
They looked at me with amazement. They said at almost the exact same time, "Hey pop, you've been 'down' since 1978?" The "78" represents the year that I was sentenced, but I was arrested in 1977, I told them. When I said it's been forty-three years now, they asked how I managed to keep my sanity. It was an honest question, and one I've been asked countless times.
I told them it's been my faith in God that has kept me sane and always thinking positive. As many an inmate will confess, in this environment the first thing a man will begin to lose, is his mind. The stresses of prison life can take a toll. If not properly dealt with, it could rob him of his sanity first, and his physical health second. I have seen the reality of this many times. Depression, mental breakdowns, and suicide are familiar occurrences.
I began this entry with a Scripture passage from the apostle Paul’s letter to his young spiritual son Timothy, whom he had been mentoring for many years. Paul told Timothy to always have faith in Christ, no matter what challenges he may have to face in life. Paul was confined at the time to a Roman prison, where he was awaiting execution.
Paul reminded young Timothy that God does not want His people to live in fear. He has given us power, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us, to endure and overcome any and all opposition which may come our way.
Plainly said, God wants His children to walk in love, showing mercy and kindness to all. But we need to be tough-minded as well. A disciple needs a balanced and decisive mind that will not buckle under pressure. This is the mind which the Christian already possesses, along with a strong inner spirit that's built on faith, and a working knowledge of the Scriptures. Having these will allow the believer to defeat whatever negative circumstances come against him.
While I didn't go into all these details with the guys I was talking to, I did tell them about my faith in God and how he has not only forgiven my sins but has helped me to cope with incarceration.
D.B.
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