The joy of journaling

One of the best gifts I have ever received and treasure so dearly, is a handmade journal with different types, colours and patterns of pages with each turn of the page. I love the variety, the pages with imprints of rose petals and the delicate lace-like sections. I love that former work colleagues took so much time and effort in painstakingly putting each page together as a leaving gift.

Every now and then, I take time out to a quiet spot, reflect and journal my thoughts, feelings, deepest desires, prayers, and answers to prayers in this book. It is always a joy to look back through the pages (and my scraggly handwriting).

Despite this (and regularly writing reflective pieces on this blog), journaling is not something I joyfully skip to do. I am more likely to postpone, to feel too busy, or to avoid being vulnerable and examining something painful I may be going through. More recently, I am learning that more than just introspection, journaling can be a useful tool in addition to spiritual disciplines (such as scripture reading, praise and prayer) that strengthen one’s faith walk. It can be helpful in our practical walk of daily being transformed by the renewal of our minds:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

If there is one thing I would want to do consistently to grow in my Christian journey, it would be this. Here are a few points to guide us when it comes to spiritual journaling:

1. Write down your reflections from your time scripture reading or prayer that day. That worship song you can’t get out of your head, or that word of encouragement on the radio that just spoke into your situation on your way to work. There is a message in there, note it down so you do not miss what God is saying.

2. Write that one thing that lightened up your day or brought you joy (it doesn’t matter how small it is). It could be kind words from a friend or colleague, a phone call, or even a smile from a stranger. At the end of the day, we are often overly focused on all the things that went wrong and easily forget the things that did go well. You may be surprised when you take the time to review the day from morning through to evening, how your day actually went.

3. Pour out your deepest heartache, your unanswered prayers, the times of grief, lament and asking God “why”. He can take it. Honestly share how you feel with God, ask for help and always end in hope.

4. Desire to connect to God even in your writing, that you would hear from him. Some days it may be a couple of lines, some days it may be pages. The most important thing is the desire to abide in him and grow in being more Christlike.

5. It is an opportunity for careful thinking and inspired action. Achievements are good, but also write down your mistakes, failures, and lessons learned. It helps us to bring these to prayer, grow, and avoid making the same mistakes again.

6. Write at least one thing you are thankful for, this leads to a heart of gratitude and praise.

7. Finally, record the promises of God that you are standing on. These are your future testimonies and praise reports:

And the Lord answered me:

“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay"

Habakkuk 2:2-3

In today’s modern world, there are many options when it comes to journaling, whether is writing on a computer, phone or good old fashioned notepad. Make sure distractions are minimised, and find what routine works best for you. The most important part is starting, and forming a habit. Spiritual journaling is one way to mingle the motions of our lives with God’s word. We can be more attuned to hear God’s voice even as we seek him in our writing.

In forming this habit, we are able to look back and see ‘how far he has brought us’, capture the joy of the present, and look toward the hope of the future.