#5: The Joy of Journalling
This next piece of advise goes hand in hand with tip #6 about writing and posting God's words around you. My next simple and humble word of advice is to keep a Scripture and prayer journal. Before you sign out and say, "I don't know, I've tried that whole journal thing and it just doesn't work for me," let me offer a few encouraging words about journaling.
First of all, here are a couple of things that journaling is NOT:
1. Journalling does not have to be daily. For most people, sitting down to write every day can be overwhelming. Many people start journals, but give up because they can't find time every day to do it. Don't get bogged down by how long it has been since you've written. Instead, enjoy writing when you can. The more you do this, the more you will find yourself drifting toward a daily habit of journalling.
2. Journalling is not draining. I used to think that every journal entry I wrote had to be filled with all my deepest thoughts and emotions. I would often write until my hand hurt, and then I would feel exhausted. On some occasions, pouring out your heart into your journal is a great blessing, but sometimes the thought of writing so extensively scares people away. Don't be afraid to use bullets points and incomplete sentences in a journal entry.
Now here are some tips to spicing up your journal:
1. Keep your journal entries short and sweet. They do not need to function as a full-blown detailed explanation of everything in your mind, but rather only as a record of the thoughts of your heart.
2. Try filling your journal with Scriptures and prayers. Write about how God has been at work in your life, how He has spoken to you, or what He has been teaching you. Let your journal be a testimony to your walk with the Lord. Then you can look back on what you have written an see how God has answered prayers, drawn you close to Him, and traveled with you as you walk with Him.
3. Make your journal unique to you. If you like singing, write songs. If you like art, use color. If you are a list-maker, fill your journal with lists. If you say, "Journalling is not for me," then you just haven't found your style yet.
Never underestimate the power of writing. Instead of seeing journalling as boring, bothersome, or draining, view it as a record of your journey with the Lord. I especially recommend journalling through times of struggle or grief. During those valleys of trouble, the road ahead of you may seem very long and tiresome. Journalling is a way to keep a record of that journey on which God leads you. You will need to be patient because troubles usually last more than one night. You may have a period of waiting before you, but journalling allows you to worship the Lord while you wait. It gives words to the cries of your heart and a voice to all your joys. Most importantly, its pages will serve as a memorial to all the wonderful things God has done in you personally!
First of all, here are a couple of things that journaling is NOT:
1. Journalling does not have to be daily. For most people, sitting down to write every day can be overwhelming. Many people start journals, but give up because they can't find time every day to do it. Don't get bogged down by how long it has been since you've written. Instead, enjoy writing when you can. The more you do this, the more you will find yourself drifting toward a daily habit of journalling.
2. Journalling is not draining. I used to think that every journal entry I wrote had to be filled with all my deepest thoughts and emotions. I would often write until my hand hurt, and then I would feel exhausted. On some occasions, pouring out your heart into your journal is a great blessing, but sometimes the thought of writing so extensively scares people away. Don't be afraid to use bullets points and incomplete sentences in a journal entry.
Now here are some tips to spicing up your journal:
1. Keep your journal entries short and sweet. They do not need to function as a full-blown detailed explanation of everything in your mind, but rather only as a record of the thoughts of your heart.
2. Try filling your journal with Scriptures and prayers. Write about how God has been at work in your life, how He has spoken to you, or what He has been teaching you. Let your journal be a testimony to your walk with the Lord. Then you can look back on what you have written an see how God has answered prayers, drawn you close to Him, and traveled with you as you walk with Him.
3. Make your journal unique to you. If you like singing, write songs. If you like art, use color. If you are a list-maker, fill your journal with lists. If you say, "Journalling is not for me," then you just haven't found your style yet.
Never underestimate the power of writing. Instead of seeing journalling as boring, bothersome, or draining, view it as a record of your journey with the Lord. I especially recommend journalling through times of struggle or grief. During those valleys of trouble, the road ahead of you may seem very long and tiresome. Journalling is a way to keep a record of that journey on which God leads you. You will need to be patient because troubles usually last more than one night. You may have a period of waiting before you, but journalling allows you to worship the Lord while you wait. It gives words to the cries of your heart and a voice to all your joys. Most importantly, its pages will serve as a memorial to all the wonderful things God has done in you personally!
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