Benefits Of Journaling

June 2005

Keeping a journal is like lingering in the presence of God. I first discovered the need to journal when I was unable to recall some heart-changing words or event. Eventually napkins or scraps of paper came to the rescue. Finally, I began to journal earnestly and intentionally. It is now a discipline I wouldn’t do without. Journaling shapes much of my future direction in life. If God speaks to you and you intend to listen carefully, then lingering in his presence is not optional.

What is it? Keeping a journal is like talking and listening to God in writing. Jesus expects us to follow his example of loving God and loving others with all that we are. In writing about God’s relationship with us, we habitually love God, ourselves, and others with our minds. But I am not a good writer! Writing is for personal remembering not for publication. Don’t let grammar or spelling keep you from writing down what God is saying to you through Scripture, others readings and in hearing the voice of lovers of Jesus. Keeping a journal is different from keeping a diary. In a diary you might record daily events in your life. In a journal, you write about how these events are affecting you by looking inside. 

Why do it? The benefits of keeping a journal are person-specific. One reason is that I often have talks with myself. Before you send me the name and number of your psychiatrist, consider the fact that “each of us carries on inner conversations as we sort through our feelings about daily living, our relationships, and world events.” In keeping a journal what you think and hear “becomes ink and paper.” (Anne Broyles, Journaling, 1999). 

This is my reason. Writing down what I want to say to God and what I am hearing God say to me brings clarity to my life. In my journal I ask often who am I, what am I doing and why. I write how I feel about my life, the relationships I have, how I am changing and growing or not growing. In practicing this discipline I realize that I am on a spiritual journey similar to all the biblical people of faith. All of us are on this journey. Those who understand their journey well are those who reflect and trace its themes.

Should you decide to journal… I want to suggest two commitments to keep.  First, as William D. Watkins put it: “You must be honest and vulnerable.” (The Transforming Habits of a Growing Christian, 187)  Staying on the surface of our lives makes us artificial people. Telling ourselves the truth (casting lies and deceits from us) is the first step in growing spiritually and in self-understanding.  This will not be easy. It will require intentional effort. Second, listen twice as much as you speak (one mouth but two ears). Listen to the daily events of your life. Let your listening be your response to the Scripture. Listen to your heart’s meditations.  Listen to other Christian writers. Listen to what others say to you and what you say to them. Your journal is for your eyes only. As you read it and trace God’s keeping company with you, be thankful that the Master always walks along side of you.

Check out these websites to download free journal keeping software: http://www.lifejournal.com/ http://www.csoftlab.com/Diary.html

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