For many of us, the future can feel uncertain. Maybe we’re uncertain about our health or the health of a loved one. Maybe it’s an employment situation. Maybe it’s climate change. Regardless of what’s weighing on our minds, uncertainty is part of the human journey. Even though we might feel alone in our worries, many others are experiencing something similar—even if their circumstances are different.
Every day, people in prison and on parole face much uncertainty. In fact, people affected by incarceration experience trauma and anxiety at higher rates than the general population.
A human connection can make a difference, though.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, connecting with others can benefit our mental health by reducing anxiety and improving how we regulate our emotions. Social interaction can even bolster our immune systems.
Meeting with an incarcerated individual consistently can help them gain perspective and stay tethered to the world outside prison. This can be an important source of hope and purpose.
Plus, the benefits go both ways. Research suggests that showing compassion lowers stress levels. This is backed by the people who volunteer in our prison mentorship and NOLA community reintegration programs, who often tell us how they have benefitted from the mentoring experience.
It’s true that social connection is a vital part of health and wellness. Yet faith can also factor.
Isaiah 26:4 says, “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” It’s a call to remember the certainty of God in all the uncertainty of the world. Isaiah tells us that God is the same forever. He is stable and present, regardless of what’s on our minds.
Faith doesn’t erase uncertainties; rather it gives us a context to persevere despite the unknown. It’s possible to experience uncertainty while being grounded in faith, leaning on the Rock eternal. Our faith reminds us that we are not alone.
This month, join us in bringing hope to people affected by incarceration. You can pray with us and follow along in our prayer calendar. Or you can volunteer or donate. Together we can bring some certainty to people in prison and on parole.