Have you ever had peace in the midst of a storm?  Or has calmness ever washed over you when your life was upside down?  As believers, those moments frequent our lives and when they do—it’s special and unexplainable. It was in one of those upside-down stormy seasons that Jeremiah wrote his often quoted words: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (29:11, ESV). What a beautiful promise!  

As I’m sure you are well aware, Jeremiah’s words are central to our ministry and serve as a wonderful reminder that God is always on our side.  God has plans to fill our lives with hope and purpose.  What I find striking about this passage is the timing. Jeremiah was writing during the time of Babylonian captivity. And, interestingly, many of the original recipients may very well have died without ever seeing any fulfillment of the promise. God had “plans for welfare and not evil,” yet they were captives in their land! 

Life, when God’s presence feels distant and His promises seem out of reach, is not easy for any of us—especially when someone is incarcerated. When it comes to our work with Forgiven Ministry, how do we navigate those conversations with inmates who need practical help concerning what it looks like to live in hope behind bars?  This is a challenging question.

Initially, we can remind them not to give up.  There may be bondage, but one’s life and influence can remain free if one chooses to allow it. Jeremiah encouraged those Israelites in captivity to build houses, plant gardens, and eat their produce; they were to take wives and have children (cf. Jer. 29:5-7). Despite the difficult circumstances, they were to continue living their lives. One thing is certain: life is to go on!  

Next, as believers, life is to be lived from the inside out.  Externals and the sins of our past don’t define who we are. Regardless of where we are or what season of life we’re in, with the help of God, we are to make the best of it. In God’s economy, external victory is always preceded by internal triumph. People who prosper and live life to the fullest, whether in or out of prison, are those who have internal purpose. Where there is purpose, there is hope, and where there is hope, there is Spirit-driven resilience!

Finally, be creative. We can encourage them to meditate, focus on personal growth, engage in education/creative pursuits, etc. Also, there are such things as focusing on creating and maintaining positive relationships, seeking opportunities to work, participating in faith-based activities or support groups, encouraging cellmates who are struggling, developing coping strategies for managing stress, and of course focusing on modeling to others what life as a Spirit-filled believer looks like. Some inmates are full of hope and purpose, so it is possible.

Concerning such, I once heard a story of a teacher who asked her students to draw a picture of “peace.” “What does peace look like?” was the question.  Among the drawings, were pastoral scenes or those of the ocean and clouds. One child, however, depicted such with a massive thunderstorm. The wind was blowing, the rain was going sideways, and lightning flashed. The trees, it was evident, were whipping back and forth. The teacher, puzzled, invited the child to her desk and inquired why she chose such an intense image. The child quickly pointed out the tree where she had drawn a bird’s nest. A little bitty nest that, despite the wind and rain, remained untouched.  And in the nest were the mother and her babies safe inside. That, she said, was her understanding of peace—not the absence of storms, but having peace and security in the midst of such.  

That security and peace can only be found in the promises of God. And it’s available even within the walls of a prison!  When it comes to stormy seasons in life, perhaps the imprisoned apostle Paul, would have put it this way: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)

You are loved!

Les