One of the many challenges that incarcerated women face is accepting God’s forgiveness. I hear the words "You do not know what I’ve done" or "I am too far gone." Shame tells us that we owe something we know we can never pay back. The weight of sin makes it difficult to believe that a perfect God can forgive us. It breaks my heart because the reality is that we do not need to be in a physical prison to live as we are.
Have you ever heard of the phrase "you are in your head"? It occurs when you are overthinking or overanalyzing. Sometimes we do this because of the trauma we have experienced. We hear hurtful words that feel like needles that drag us into dark places and inject us into a depth of doubt. God’s word is trying to penetrate those dark places of shame and low self-esteem. Remember, God convicts, and the enemy accuses, and it is important to distinguish the two.
The Apostle Peter said, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7, NIV) The word "cast" means to throw. Isn’t it time to throw away the garbage the enemy has been feeding you back where it belongs? God is not our accuser, but our defender. We serve such a loving and compassionate God.
Are you feeling stuck and ready to break the cycle of shame, uncontrolled thoughts, fear, hopelessness, bitterness, and insecurity? These emotions are the seven weapons of self-destruction. Sometimes we may choose to stay in our comfort zone because it is what we know or because we do not realize we are living there. Where are you living today?
There is a disorder called post-incarceration syndrome that people who have been incarcerated may feel after being released from jail. They may experience emotions like sadness and hopelessness. As believers, God's purpose is for us to walk in the freedom that He already paid a price for. Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. We have a choice. What are you choosing today?
The good news is that God is still setting people free from prison and the prison of their minds. My heart rejoices when I hear the women at the Hillsborough County Jail at Falkenburg say, "I found freedom in Christ; I am changing, and I no longer want to live the way I did".
God is still in the business of transforming lives. Are you ready to heal?