The most important advice I can give you is to seek God’s will for your future. God knows what is best for you, and He wants you to be able to leave the past behind and start a new life—with His help.

And the first step in seeking God’s will about your future is to commit your whole life to Jesus Christ. He wants to erase the past by forgiving you of all your sins—not just the ones that landed you in prison, but every sin you have ever committed. He also wants to guide you in the future, and to keep you from falling back into the same things that got you in trouble before. God’s promise is for you: In Christ “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). Ask Him to come into your life today—and He will.

I urge you also to give serious thought to your sister’s suggestion. She is concerned for you, and she knows the temptations you’ll face among old friends. The Bible warns, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’ ” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Never forget: You are never alone when you know Christ. He is with you and so also are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Wherever you go, seek out a church where Christ is preached and you can meet Christians who will encourage and help you.