Write It Down: Ways journaling can help you grow personally and in your faith
Article By Leyton Matthews // EEW Magazine // Spiritual + Personal Growth
When the prophet Habakkuk was struggling to sort through his feelings about why God allowed suffering to continue, the Lord told Him to write down his questions and God’s answers (Habakkuk 1).
In the prophet’s case, recording his Q&A with God was to help the Israelites. In our case, when we write things down, the process impacts and benefits us.
Though our purpose for journaling is not quite like Habakkuk’s, it does help us grow personally and is a wonderful tool of development for our spiritual walk also. Here are some benefits of keeping a regular journal.
It keeps you grateful.
One of the first things a woman of faith should add to her journal is something she is grateful for every single day. When you list out the blessings that surround you, this helps you zone in on all the ways God has been good to you despite things going wrong in life. In every situation, we are to give thanks, and jotting down what you’re grateful for will help you do that.
It shows your growth.
When you keep a regular journal, you get to reflect on the positive changes you’ve made over time and how you’ve grown. You’ll find that, if you have been staying in communication with God and reading the Bible, you will have overcome some of the spiritual issues, personal struggles, unhealthy mindsets and habits of your past. Although your journal will sometimes reveal growth opportunities, you will still find it very encouraging to look at an old journal entry and see your increased level of maturity.
It reemphasizes important lessons learned.
Our memory can fail us if we don’t stimulate it. A journal is a great way to wake up your brain and remind you of invaluable lessons you have learned on the road of life. Some wisdom has been acquired through experience, pain, Scripture, sermons, and the wise counsel of trusted family, friends, and mentors. No matter how you happened upon such insights, it doesn’t matter if you don’t recall them. Reflecting on past lessons helps you avoid making the same mistakes over again. Keeping things on record is a blessing to you.
It aids your prayers.
Journals are essentially diaries. You fill them with your innermost feelings, desires, and concerns. Once you understand what’s troubling you, you can take what you’ve written to God in prayer. He already knows what’s weighing you down, but prayer increases your dependency upon the Lord and helps you relinquish those worries. When you sort through your thoughts, you know exactly what to take before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Many journal entries are prayer requests in disguise.
It releases bottled up emotions.
Many women suppress emotions. We stuff our feelings way down and learn to pretend there’s nothing wrong. We smile, serve, work, and juggle everything while dying inside all the while. This is an unhealthy pattern. Journaling can be very healing and cathartic, because it gives you a way to release the deepest sentiments of the heart. It is not uncommon to cry while journaling. In fact, it’s quite natural, because you are cleansing, purging, and detoxifying. Getting honest about what you feel frees you to live more authentically.
If you already journal, this gives you insight into how it is beneficial to you. If you don’t journal, this is your encouragement to start today, and begin investing in your spiritual and personal growth and development. It will be well worth it.