Do your circumstances feel beyond your control? Bo Mitchell has felt his life slip through his fingers by circumstances beyond his control. He plead guilty and served 11-months in a federal prison for a crime he didn’t intentionally commit.
It was during that season that God worked to soften and change his heart. He shares how he learned to overcoming his circumstances and trust God’s plan.
“If you’re in the middle of something that happened and there really wasn’t any sin involved on your part, Romans 8:28 says that God will work all of those things together for good. Claim that Scripture and seek God, if there is no sin involved it’s a happy ending.”
What happens if there is sin involved?
“In my case I think I went to prison because of ego, pride, self-effort, an independent streak even towards God. If that’s the case, be quick to admit your contribution to the mess and confess your sin.”
“That’s why Christ went to the cross, is to forgive us of our sins and give us a fresh start and a new beginning. I needed that in the worst way.”
When we are stubborn and reject the reality of our circumstances, we work against ourselves.
“If you’re stubborn and you dig in your heels and say you got a raw deal from a judge or an agent, that’s a problem. We need to submit to God and ask His forgiveness for the part we played.”
In either case, if we handle our circumstances correctly, we will get a fresh start.
“If you’re without Christ I don’t know how you get through anything. If you’ve never committed to Christ, that’s the first step. If you need to recommit to Christ, do that and then submit to the truth in His Scripture that promises that God has got us.”
“I say the way you conduct yourself while you’re in the puddle, or the prison, will determine how quick you get out of it.”
Bo Mitchell serves as the chaplain and senior advisor for the Colorado Rockies and served as chaplain for the Denver Nuggets for 18 years. After a shocking prison sentence and a serious illness, Bo and his wife, Gari, discovered God in ways they never anticipated. Their book is [amazon text=%title%&asin=1589978730
Key Scripture: Galatians 6:9
Featured Songs: Oh, My Soul – Casting Crowns; Still – Hillary Scott; Desert Song – Hillsong
Grace behind bars
