This year I celebrated my 15th “Jesus Birthday”- the day when I surrendered my life to Christ and placed my faith in Him to rescue me from my sins. One of my traditions every year on this day, is to write in a special journal that I only write in on that day. It allows me to see ways that God’s Spirit living in me is producing growth over time.
Journaling has become one of the ways that I connect with God. Journaling helps me to preserve in the journey I’m on with Christ and it also helps me to open up to God. It honestly helps me to be more honest with God and with myself.
HERE ARE A FEW BENEFITS TO JOURNALING:
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It helps me to pay attention to God because I can both hear from Him, and respond to Him when journaling.
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It helps me to process what is going on inside my little analytical mind and slows me down.
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It can help me to understand my story that is being unfolded by God and discover where He is at in the story that is far bigger than myself.
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It helps me put feelings to my words. For others, it may help to put words to your feelings.
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It records my growth in becoming more Christ like.
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It helps me to gain perspective and hope or combat the enemy.
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It’s a written record of the things I’m learning from God’s Word.
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS WHEN JOURNALING:
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Find a journal that you like! My personal favorites are journals with NO lines so that I’m free to write big or draw.
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When you journal, let your words flow freely from what you are thinking or feeling without restraint, fear, or performance anxiety. You are writing to God—He doesn’t care about correct grammar or perfect sentence structure!
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Feel free to draw. Sometimes images and colors communicate what words cannot communicate. Drawing can release emotions that are harder for you to get in touch with or communicate with words.
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Get creative! Even something as simple as writing a word or phrase that God has brought to mind in big or creative lettering can become a powerful expression of what is going on within you or something He is showing you.
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Always remember that it’s the process of journaling and not the finished product that is important.
Happy journaling……may it help your heart connect more deeply with the God who loves you far more than you realize.
