Fear Not! (Originally Posted 04/28/2020)

Well @ around 0800 on 4/9/2020 the Interfaith Dorm of North Central Correctional Complex went on lock down. We were all given hand made cloth masks yesterday. All inmates were asked to wear them when they left their dorms, but weren't required to wear them while inside. (I roll my eyes here). However, although all these masks really do is give some a false sense of security anyhow! My dorm went on lock down as a precaution because of an older gentleman who had been sick for a few days and finally went to medical to get checked out. Some may say "Well he should've went earlier!" True, but seeing the Dr. in here is not like out there! We are barely treated as humans and even to me, I can see by the way most the Dr. staff acts that they are only here to keep us alive. For instance, I was in the doctor's office being seen for a growth on my finger, and asked him about another thing that was more important and urgent. His reply was rude and it seemed he didn't care. The eye Dr. actually cursed at a friend of mine during an eye exam. Now, I get dealing with inmates every day can be very trying, however, we aren't all the same! I, myself was called a liar repeatedly by staff a couple years ago because I didn't go to a Pre-GED class. Well, since I have a diploma, and the CO's never came to tell me (and 3 other guys near me), I obviously didn't know I was supposed to be there! Yet the supposed "Guidance Counselor" was the first to call me & another inmate, with the same story, liars. Well, I continued to go to that class without complaining. I didn't do any of the work, except for some computer stuff, I mostly brought my Bible and notepad and wrote ideas for blog posts..which at the time went on a Facebook page in my name..but my point is, no matter what we go through, we can still be at peace! Fear is bubbling up in this dorm, and anger, but to those who are in Christ, we have the peace that passes all understanding! Glory to God! You might say "How is that? Do y'all stick your heads in the sand & pretend nothing is happening!?" I'll let the Word of God answer for me. Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP) says "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." This right here is why followers of Jesus many of whom face death daily in communist countries, and Muslim countries, these folks don't ever deny Christ as their Lord and give their very lives instead! We as His children need not fear death, persecution, or disease! Could we die? Sure. When we die, y'all when we die as a follower of Jesus we will be in the very presence of the One Who made us! The God Who gave His only Son, so that WHOEVER believed in Him would not die the second death (fiery hell eternally), but would meet Him in heaven! We can be content because of the Holy Spirit Who resides inside those who've given their lives to Jesus! Philippians 4:11&13 Paul states "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." He and we can do this because verse 13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Yes! Folks, talk to God, tell Him how you feel! Ask Him to give you His peace! He's waiting to hear your voice! Won't you call out to Him!