A common activity that people are encouraged to pursue is writing in a personal journal. Since 4th grade, I have attempted to write in journals. Until 9th grade, I had gone through five journals, forcing myself to write almost every day. When I look back at them, I chuckle because they are filled with doodles, song lyrics, different crazy colored gel pens and the transformation of my handwriting.
As I entered youth group and went on numerous retreats, they would encourage us to write in packets or personal journals. Now that I am in college and have grown in my writing and spiritual life, I have begun prioritizing the combination of the two. I believe that writing will enhance your spiritual life because it not only gives you something to look back on, but also brings what you are learning and believing to reality. When our hearts and minds are full of worship and passion, putting those thoughts on paper makes it tangible.
If someone tells you to keep a journal for your spiritual life, it can be very open ended, which in a way is good, because each person's spiritual life is at different pace, but I have found that without a certain amount of structure, I am not consistent with writing and it affects my reading of the Word and my closeness with God. Recently, I made a list of what I should include in a spiritual journal that would most effectively influence my personal spiritual life through renewing my mind and intimacy with God. This is a list of six ideas to consistently write on that will help guide a spiritual journal:
1. Reflection of Scripture.
In addition to reading the Word, do not hesitate to write down verses word for word that stick out to you. I have a separate journal that is solely for verses that have encouraged me during a particular season of my life. I write down the verse and then below it (in a different color, just for fun), I interpret the verse and reiterate the truth behind the verse to help me in that moment. Since this journal is specifically for verses that have spoken to me, I often times will flip through it and re-read not only the verse. but also how it helped me in the time of need.
2. Giving thanks.
Out of all of these writing ideas, giving thanks is arguably the most important one. It is hard enough to actively refocus our minds on things we are thankful for, but to write them down is where the discipline comes in. Out of these six tips, giving thanks is one that we should do throughout the day. We have the choice to change our mindset to reflect a thankful heart instead of a stressed or irritated attitude. When it comes to a spiritual journal, if you intentionally write down a list of things you are thankful for each day, it automatically welcomes God into His rightful place in our lives.
3. Remembering the Gospel.
This tip may seem rather odd to write about, but I have found that along with a thankful heart, remembering the simple yet powerful Gospel is a mindset changer, as well. We really should remind ourselves daily of what we believe, but I encourage you to try writing out the Gospel every so often, as if you are telling someone who has never heard it before. Start at the basics that you were taught in Sunday School, that Jesus loves us (John 3:16). Too many times do we live out our days forgetting the basics of who God is, what sin is, why God sent His Son to save us and what the Cross promises for us. Writing the Gospel out will automatically smack Satan in the face with loads of truth. We can remind him that he will be crushed and is defeated. It will unwelcome him into our day if we remind ourselves of the Gospel and the importance of our existence.
4. Personal prayers.
I have always enjoyed writing out my prayers because I can pour out my emotions while writing out the promises of God. I pray in my head and out loud, too, but for a spiritual journal, I think it's important to include this aspect on paper, because you can turn back and see how God provided for a certain need. Writing prayers brings the in-the-moment needs, pains and worries and the result of God's deliverance to reality.
5. Areas of growth.
Making a list of areas of growth is beneficial to keep in a spiritual journal, because it allows us to see the ways in which we hope to grow. Think of it in light of the Fruits of the Spirits: love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Write a couple attributes that you wish to grow in, and then focus on one a week or even a month. Write down and say to yourself, "I want to focus on being more patient this month," and work from there. Again, this tip is helpful, because you can look back on how you have grown in character of Christ.
6. Prayer requests.
Writing down prayer requests has never been a habit of mine, especially writing on the account of others' needs. I really need to work on praying for others throughout the week, even if they are short little prayers. Writing prayer requests having to do with others is important, because it takes the focus off of yourself and keeps the aspect of the Body of Christ in mind.
You are not alone in this journey of sanctification. It's hard to keep our minds focused and to be spiritually disciplined. Above all, we must remember grace. Through grace, we can have motivation to grow in word and deed. These tips, along with many other ways to journal, will help keep the gift of grace at the forefront of our minds.
