Journaling used to intimidate me because I thought my journal would have to be a literary work of art to really count, and I wasn’t Teresa of Avila, so how could I keep a journal? Or I thought I’d have to sit down for half an hour and write my heart out every day, but who had time and energy for that?
Then I also remembered a high school teacher who made us write two entries a week in a notebook we had to turn in on Fridays. I dreaded it because what could I write anyway since the teacher was going to read it?
Always a late bloomer, I didn’t start journaling until my 40’s.
I’m so glad I started, because after Bible reading and prayer, keeping a journal has helped me grow more than any other spiritual discipline. Journaling doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming; even a few minutes each day can make a big difference in your life.
Journaling helps me:
Clarify My Thoughts and Feelings
Sometimes I don’t quite know what I’m thinking until I write it down. My journal helps me understand my own thoughts and reactions to what’s going on around me. For example, it helps me pinpoint exactly what is worrying me when I feel anxious, and something about jotting down a specific fear or feeling helps me surrender it to God.
Stay Engaged with God during my Quiet Time
My short attention span causes me to wander off on bunny trails while trying to pray or read the Bible. Copying a scripture or writing a brief prayer helps me stay focused.
Record my Spiritual Journey
This isn’t as mystical as it sounds. I mainly record verses that stand out from my daily Scripture reading. Sometimes I record my impressions of events, or quotes from books and articles I like. About once a week, I glance back at what I wrote on previous days, and it always encourages me.
How to Keep Journaling Simple and Enjoyable:
Some people keep a daily log of events and thoughts, but this is too overwhelming (and boring) for me. Instead, my journal is a hodgepodge of ideas, prayers, lists, and scribblings. I use colored pencils and pens to make it more fun. Sometimes I doodle, draw, or cut pictures and quotes out of church bulletins or conference manuals to tape into my journal. Recently I started experimenting with unlined paper because it has a more creative feel.
I try to keep it simple and spend five or ten minutes writing down a few things during my quiet time. And on days when I skip it, I don’t sweat it.
Ideas for Journaling:
Illustrated Scripture Verses:
Even if you have two left hands like I do when it comes to drawing, it’s still fun to add flowers, hearts, boxes, or swirls to a scripture verse.
Prayer Requests:
Make a bullet list of things you’re praying for. Looking back at it later and remembering God’s answers will build your faith.
Verse mapping:
For days when you have about fifteen minutes, follow this link to learn more about a fun, creative way to unlock more meaning from a favorite Bible verse.
Repentance List:
After asking God to examine your heart, make a list in red ink of 3-5 sins that come to mind, like “irritation,” “selfishness,” or “criticism.” Personally, it does my soul good to see my sin on paper and ask God to cleanse me as I start the day.
Short Prayers:
Try writing a one sentence prayer in response to your Bible reading.
1000 Gifts List:
Jot down five things you’re thankful for. This simple discipline can help us be more joyful people, and it gives us a log of our life’s happiest happenings.
Questions you have for God:
It’s faith-stretching to write a question for God and pay attention to what He may speak in response, whether His answer comes in that moment or weeks later.
Of course, I don’t include all these elements in my journal each day. Instead I choose one or two. And rather than worry about making my journal a beautiful work of art, I focus on enjoying the process.
What about you, friend? Do you keep a journal or wish you did?
If the thought of journaling intimidates you, how about trying it for a week? Make a small commitment you can keep, like five minutes in the morning, or at bedtime. You might be surprised at how much it helps you grow.
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Like you, I didn’t journal for a long time, but now I. Love. It! Good tips here on getting started and branching out. You have to find what feels right and works for you.
Yes, Laura. I agree that we have to find what works best for us. I love some of the artsy bullet journaling I see. But it’s just not happening around here. And I’m okay with that. 😉
Betsy,
Love this! Sometimes I make journalling too complicated – thinking I have to write down my deepest, innermost thoughts and prayers. I think, like you, I need to keep it simple and your ideas of changing it up that everyday doesn’t have to look the same are good. I’m a visual learner and writing out verses artistically appeals to me because it would help in remembering them. Great ideas!
Blessings,
Bev xx
I know what you mean, Bev. I’m not so good at sitting down to write out my deepest thoughts. Since I barely even know what they are! 🙂
What great tips, Betsy! I’m actually working on a tool to help women get the most of their quiet time with God! Blessings to you my friend!
Wow! That’s great, Liz. I’m writing a book about that now. We must be kindred spirits.
Love all your tips Betsy. I don’t journal, but think I’ve tried to make it too complicated.
It’s not for everyone, Debbie, but if you give it another try, I hope you find something simple that works for you.
I always appreciate the post and pictures you share from your journaling life.
One of the lists I go back to from time to time in an old journal is a list of “besetting sins” that I wanted to pray about and resist in the Spirit’s power. Sometimes I see items on the list that I can rejoice over but there are things that have stayed on that list, reminding me that I’m definitely not finished yet.
Betsy, I love all the different suggestions for journaling! I’ve kept various journals over the years. I find that when I’ve got a lot inside me and I need clarity, journaling with the Lord brings answers and peace. When I read the Bible I often write our (journal) the insights and questions I have from the passages I’m reading.
Super post, friend!
Journaling does bring clarity, doesn’t it? I don’t do so much journaling my thoughts, but I do shorter, one sentence summaries maybe? Even that brings me greater peace.
Besetting sins. Oh yes, I have those too. It is interesting to go back and look. I particularly like to look at old prayer lists and the crazy prayer maps I make, also just life vision entries I make a couple of times a year.
These are all great suggestions. I’m sporadic in my journaling. It’s on my to-do list every day but doesn’t always get completed. Your ideas will help me be more faithful.
Hey there Debbie. sometimes sporadic is all we can do. It may not be for every season or for every person. 🙂
Love this, Betsy! Journaling helps clarify my thoughts and give direction to my frazzled soul. (I do this best while on a Florida beach with my toes in the sand.) Also, I’m a late bloomer too. I started in my 40’s and it continues to grow. I love it!
Have a great day, my Turkish friend! <3
Oh, I think I’d do it a lot better on a Florida beach too! 🙂 The Aegean and Mediterranean are really nice too though. The beach is a little over an hour away and I don’t get there often enough in summer. But yes, journaling unfrazzles my soul in the best of ways.
Hi Betsy! I have kept a journal since I was 11 years old. A whole shelf is filled with my journals. Sadly, I’ve neglected them ever since I got serious about blogging in 2015. What I want to do is reserve Sunday mornings for journaling. My journals have served as great inspiration for my writing projects, plus they help me track my spiritual growth. Pinned!
Sarah, are you in COMPEL? There is a great lesson from a year or so ago called The Journaling Life by Catherine Martin. You might check it out because she talks about how hers inspires her ministry. I actually do most of my journaling DURING my quiet time. Otherwise it would be a no go for me. 🙂 How sweet that you started when you were 11. Early bloomer. 🙂
These are great suggestions, Betsy! I have found journaling so helpful. Especially when I am reading the Bible it helps to slow down my thinking and keep me focused. I have also found it really helpful for processing thoughts and feelings- like you, I sometimes don’t really know what I’m thinking until I start writing it down. Since I’ve been blogging I’ve been journaling less and I’ve been thinking lately that it’s something I want to get back into more regularly.
Thanks for these tips, Betsy. I love your idea of recording sins God convicts you of on paper – I think I need to do that too – also to more consciously record God’s mercy and remember just how much He has forgiven me of.
I started Journaling without realizing that’s what I was doing…I just wrote my prayers to God to sift through the emotions inside me…and record what I heard Him speaking to me through His Word. Like you, I’m not super organized – my journaling is in several different places 😅: a Writer’s app, paper journals, emails etc. I’ve recently bought an agenda that has Scriptures to color in – I’m loving this new way of quieting my soul before God. I’m so busy in my head, so this practice will be good for me 😅.
Thanks for sharing a little bit about your own journaling life, Anna. I’m inspired! I’ve never used a writer’s app, am more of a paper and pen girl when it comes to journaling. I’d love to see your new agenda, sounds wonderful!
Journaling is great! It has really changed the way I approach His Word and hear His voice. His heart handed to me through drawing, writing, and reflecting. It’s a written prayer and a way to look back on His faithfulness! Pinning friend!
Thank you, Esther. Yes, it has changed my relationship with God as well.
Can we just focus on the opening for a minute? LOVED it, Betsy. So many of us can relate, and I love how you’re honest and open. I LOVE to journal, often keeping the words as open conversation with God – kind of like a letter between the two of us. I think my favorite part, however, is reading back over past years’ words, seeing how God fulfilled something, how I changed, how He taught, led, etc.
Thanks for the encouragement, Kristi. What you do, writing a letter between you and God, is something I cannot! But I love that you write those thoughts and conversations. And yes to looking back to see what He has done, how we have changed. So powerful.
These are great ideas! I’m one of those with a few pages done out of about 20 journals. I get frustrated too easily.
You know, Sarah, I think it’s not for everyone. A friend on IG was telling me she’d start and drop it and felt badly about it. But I thought, “Well, it’s helps me, but it may not be your thing.” I think there are SO MANY avenues to spiritual growth. Journaling is just one. 🙂 Blessings to you, friend.
What a helpful list Betsy! I never thought of what I do as journaling, but I keep notebooks handy to write down my thoughts and poignant scriptures during my time with God. The one point i really appreciate is staying engaged. I find myself writing down ideas and scriptures for my next book too. Doing research in my study bible, etc… I want to have a better idea of what God desires to reveal to me so I can share with others. Thank you for sharing these wonderful insights about how to go deeper with God. Have a wonderful week Betsy and may He continue to bless you and your family in the New Year.
Great ideas! I’ve been journaling since I could write. Some seasons look different than others, but most often it is a few jotted down thoughts or things that are heavy on my heart. Or writing down the scripture I am reading. I have only taken to drawing pictures or graphics in my journals more recently but it is a creative idea that helps me to focus so this was a good reminder to me to be more creative with that again.
I used to journal all the time, and then I just stopped. I have a few journals, and I know I need to collect my thoughts daily. I’ll be starting today. Thank you for this reminder about how therapeautic journaling can be as opposed to some huge cumbersome task. #HeartEncouragement
You’re always such an inspiration with this kind of thing, Betsy. Thanks for keeping this in focus, because for some reason, it’s something I’m not natural at remembering. It’s so effective, and even fun, but I forget to do these types of exercises too often. Love your faithfulness to it. Thanks for the inspiration, friend. xoxo
I don’t think it’s for everyone, Brenda! But you might give it a try sometime. I’m sure I could learn from many things you do that I’m not a natural at. 🙂
Love the inspiration and practical tips, Betsy. I’m late to the journaling game too but am so thankful for the depth it has added to my quiet time. I’m dipping my toes into keeping a separate bullet journal and love the idea of adding a prayer list. Thank you!
I’m using a bullet journal type format for my calendar/planner/to-do lists, but I’m not very creative with that, Crystal. 🙂
Such great thoughts! I absolutely love journaling, and find it to be so healing and refreshing for my soul. There definitely is POWER when we write down our thoughts and prayers, and writing down God’s Word helps it to sink into my soul. Thanks for sharing your reflections today! 🙂
Thanks for reading today, Christin. I hadn’t thought of journaling as HEALING, but in fact it has been for me at different times in my life. Your comment reminded me of that.
I love journaling! I have done it for years and it’s incredibly liberating to get things off my mind and onto paper. It’s a great way to process and it’s a wonderful timeline of my life. I have journals from my college days and meeting my husband, our dating days and on through the years. I love the idea that I can see my life in words and see how God has been faithful and changed me through the years. It’s a good thing! —Rachel
Wow, how amazing that you have journals from your college days! So encouraging to here. Yes, I love looking back at mine too, even though I’ve been a late bloomer as far as journaling goes. 🙂 Blessings to you, Rachel.
Well, Betsy, this surely is a treasure trove of ideas, friend … and reading through your creative ideas makes me want to dig out my journal and settle in for an in depth conversation with the Lord. Thanks for igniting a fire in many of our hearts this week …
Bless you, friend …
Thanks for your encouragement, Linda. I bet your journals are an absolute treasure!