“When you express your thoughts and feelings in a journal, you’ll be surprised by how much you discover about God in the process – and God will use your journal as a tool to transform you.”~Helen Cepero
Do you journal? If your answer is no, you’re not alone. Many don’t journal, because many don’t realize the importance of it.
The truth is that journaling can help you learn more about yourself and also grow your relationship with God to a deeper level of intimacy.
Journaling is often neglected because there isn’t enough awareness of the value it has. I’m not, however, talking about journaling like a “dear diary” type of journaling, or the type of writing one does where you write about your daily activities.
I’m talking about the type of journaling where you express your deepest thoughts, release your darkest fears and admit every single concern. It’s the type of journaling where you are vulnerable, raw and willing to bare all, to God.
Journaling is a form of communication that helps nurture your relationship with God
Journaling is also a helpful tool for you to see God’s work in your life. Many, however, still don’t realize how critical it is to make journaling a part of their time with the Lord.
Here are four reasons that can help you to see journaling as a powerful aide for your walk with the Lord.
1. Journaling helps you process your thoughts.
Sometimes you don’t realize that things are on your heart until your talk about them, or write about them.
Expressing your feelings and thoughts on paper helps you examine your heart. Writing freely and honestly also allows the Holy Spirit to shine His light on any areas of your life that needs encouragement and/or change.
2. Journaling helps you figure out what God might be trying to say to you
Most mornings I don’t feel like journaling. But I have learned, through experience, that journaling is very important, so I’ve learned to push myself to write.
In my quiet time, after I have read God’s Word I ask myself, “I wonder what the Lord wants to say to me today?” Usually there’s nothing that I can sense He may be saying to me. Then I pull out my journal, and I just start writing, as if I’m talking to God. I don’t think too much about anything except what’s on my heart. I have found that almost every time I journal my eyes are opened, and either God reveals something about Himself or He gives me a better understanding of my situation or my character.
Another value to having a journal is that you can go back and read what you’ve written. This can further help you see a pattern of something the Lord may be trying to say to you.
A side note here~ it helps if you write out the verse (s) that jumps out to you each day during your time of reading your Bible.
3. Journaling helps you stay focused
We all get distracted from time to time. Distractions during your quiet time are not good because they keep you off track of the important things, the things that God may be trying to get your attention on.
When you write you have to finish your sentence, which means you have to finish your thoughts. This is very helpful because it forces you to be attentive to what’s on your mind and heart.
4. Journaling helps you with your prayer life
As I mentioned, journaling is like having a conversation with God. Having a conversation with God is basically what praying is. Therefore, journaling is a form of prayer.
It’s very refreshing to write out your prayers to God. And when you go back to read your journal you will be filled with gratitude as you see God’s faithfulness to you through His answered prayers.
Although the process of writing can feel overwhelming for some of you, it is important that you change your perspective. Try not to over think as you write, but just write as much or as little as you feel led to.
The main thing is that you just pick up your pen and begin writing.
Forget any pre-conceived notions of what journaling is “supposed” to be like, and start looking at journaling as another avenue to nourishing your relationship with God.
Make journaling an enjoyable part of your time with the Lord and not a task.
I challenge you to try journaling for 10 days, every day, and see what happens. I am confident that you will see great value in journaling as you begin to see your relationship with God be strengthened.
Please leave me a comment below on why you do or do not journal.
Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets…” ~ Habakkuk 2:2
Dear Tweeny,
Thank you for being obedient and using the gift of writing to bless, encourage, convict (in a loving way) others. While reading, I see kindness, gentleness, transparency and much love and grace sprinkled throughout your posts. Abba truly is speaking through you to reach and minister to our hearts. Keep going…you’re doing a marvelous job!
When I do journal, I see what a good and healthy release it is to write out my emotions (so they don’t all come out sideways!) Need to take up your challenge of journaling for 10 days. I’ve struggled some with my prayer life and journaling may be a step in the right direction to help me grow in this area.
with gratitude,
Elizabeth
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. They mean a lot to me. YOU are a gift to me! 🙂
How’s your 10 day journaling challenge going? It’s hard getting started, but like everything in life, if we keep persevering it will become a habit. I hope you are discovering the awesome power of journaling and how it can help you to grow closer to God.
Keep me posted!
Blessings to you my dear~
It was really encouraging to me that you still don’t always want to journal but you do it out of obedience. I’ve never been a good journaler…I’m going to try your 10-day challenge because I want to grow in my prayer life and you convinced me that journaling is worth it! Thanks Mama Randall!
Rachel dear,
Thanks for the comment and for being so honest. How’s your 10-day journaling challenge going? I would love to hear about it. It’s definitely a discipline that takes practice. I hope you are able to push through. Love you girl!!!
Well put my dear. I commit to begin journaling!
Good!!! You are a good writer and I’m confident you’re going to love journaling!!! 🙂
Tweeny, thanks for this reminder on the value and blessings derived from journaling. I began journaling 23 years ago when my son entered into a decade of prodigal living at age 14. If I miss my quiet time I know it! Journaling has taught me the importance of meeting each day with The Lord; baring my soul and placing my life before Him. It is truly transformational and enjoyable to write a “love letter” to God each day based on my scripture reading and life circumstances.
Hi Debbie,
Thank you for your comment. I’m with you my friend- when I miss my quiet time with the Lord, I always know it! I learned as a young Christian that it was well worth my time and energy to get “fueled up” by God before my day started. True that writing a “love letter to God” each day is transformational and enjoyable. xoxo 🙂
Tweeny,
I’m new to your blog..and I just want to say thank you for your post on journaling. I do spend time journaling, but needed direction.
Joyful,
Nancy
Welcome to my blog Nancy! Thanks for following me. I am happy to hear that my post on journaling gave you some direction. How’s it going with the journaling? Are you trying it for 30 days? 🙂
Thank Tweens! Even though I’m an avid journalist,reading your blog encourages and strengthens my convictions. Write on! Blessings and love in Our Savior JESUS CHRIST!
Mary, I’m so happy to hear that you are a “avid journalist.” Write on sis!
Hi I just started a prayer journal this year. Its a once a week journal. I really love it, I can’t wait until the next week, to write to express myself to god and to meditate and reflect on the bible verse. This journal is really helping me grow in my faith and relationship with god . I wish I had purchased the journal sooner , I love spending time with god.