2020 Reset: Spiritual Journaling
“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.”
Jeremiah 30:2 ESV
The new year is the perfect opportunity to reset your frame of mind and become more aware of your spirituality and relationship with God. Spiritual journaling allows you to familiarize yourself or reconnect with your spiritual nature and faith. By expressing yourself through writing, you encourage your spiritual growth by asking questions and revealing new goals on your faith journey.
If you’re ready to start keeping a spiritual journal, here are some tips:
- Date your entry. Time gets away from all of us. Documenting the date of your entries captures those benchmarks and important moments on your faith journey. When you look back and reread your journal (which is recommended from time to time), you may be amazed by a previous insight or discover you’re dealing with an issue once thought resolved years ago.
- Just write. Journaling is not the time nor place for perfect spelling, grammar, or handwriting. Keep your entries simple, open and honest without worrying about perfection.
- Observe the world around you. God is everywhere, yet sometimes we don’t feel or realize it. Journaling is a place to seek answers to your own questions about spirituality and life in general. If you’re just getting started, ask yourself: What is drawing you closer to God? Where are you seeking God but not finding Him? What are your hopes and dreams?
- Feed your soul. Your journal is a terrific place to collect quotes, verses, music, and words of wisdom that help your spiritual growth. Delve deeper by including where you were and who you were and why that impacted you. Ask what it tells you about yourself and your relationship with God.
- Express yourself. Write down your joys and feelings of gratitude as a reminder of all the blessings you have in life, even if some days it doesn’t feel that way. If you’re suffering from pain or facing a challenge, journaling can help you let go and eventually move past it. Through expressing your emotions in writing, new lessons are learned and you’ll learn something new about yourself. Writing also serves as a reminder of God’s continual presence and protection on your faith journey.
- Sort your thoughts. If you’re looking for the next step in solving a problem, journaling can help. By writing out a situation, it helps you explore options and sort your thoughts on your way to finding a solution. Writing in short bursts when you have a million thoughts in your head can help clear your mind of distractions.
- Write when the urge or need strikes. In journaling, there’s no need to adhere to a strict writing schedule - although you should try to visit your journal every couple of weeks. If an event or interaction positively or negatively affected your relationship with God, capture the moment with an entry. It could be something as simple as the flowers in the backyard reminding you of your late mother to being grateful for reconnecting with a friend over coffee.
- Journaling is prayer. Writing down your conversations with God can strengthen and define your relationship with Him. For many, it brings peace, guidance, and clarity to their faith journey.
Whether you’re starting on your spiritual journey or have been walking the path for decades, journaling is a great way to track your progress and spiritual growth.
Christian Connection is proud to connect our customers with Christ, the One with whom all things are possible. Visit us today and continue on your unique faith journey at 337 W. State Street or visit our website.
Sources
Comments
Post a Comment