The Spiritual Discipline of Journaling

This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.’ Jeremiah 30:2

Words are powerful. The God of the universe spoke the world into existence. We speak words over one another at birth (Baptism/child dedication), graduations, weddings, and finally in death. Writing is communication, creativity, spirituality, and self-expression. Journaling is a sacred act that can help form us spiritually.  

So is journaling a spiritual discipline? There may not be any place in the Bible where it teaches explicitly or tells us to keep a journal. Still, I believe it is a discipline that aids us in biblical obedience, especially in practicing the other spiritual disciplines. I am certain that developing a journaling practice will help us train, grow, and strengthen our souls.

Today we will cover the benefits of journaling, types of journals you can have, and ideas of what to put in your notebook.

Journaling to know yourself.

Many types of journaling can lead us into an introspection of our journey with God. One way is to do reflective journaling. Start by writing out what your past day, week, or month has looked like. List what you did, who you spent time with, what wins, and what struggles you had. Then, ask God to show you places where you encountered His Presence. When we see how God was in every part of our day, even the mundane, our faith grows.

The philosopher Socrates said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” If an ordinary philosopher could think that, how much more we Christians ought to listen to the Holy Spirit when He says, “Examine yourself.”

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test.

2 Corinthians 13:5

We now flip to the other side of the coin, an invitation for God to look deep within our hearts. Take some time to engage in listening prayer and invite God to take a peek in your heart. God is ready to speak to what your heart needs to hear. We need to hear from God. Now, record what you have heard. This is such a powerful way to record your journey.

 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24

(To read more about the prayer of Examine, read this post HERE.)

Journaling to remember.

In my devotion on The Prayers of Nehemiah, we talk about “remembrance” prayers. These are prayers where Nehemiah asks God to remember a promise He made. In other prayers of remembrance, he asks God to recognize other people and himself.

A prayer journal is a great way to keep track of your requests, petitions, thanks, and praise to God. It is also a way to remember how God is answering your prayers. How powerful it is to have a written history of God’s faithfulness.

Gratitude journaling is another form of remembering the goodness of God, the Promise Keeper. In my devotion on the Spiritual Discipline of Gratitude, we learn how to change our perspective and fill our hearts with hope when we compose a list of blessings.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.

Psalm 77:11-12

Journaling as an act of meditation.

Scripture writing is one way to meditate upon the Word of God. As you put pen to paper and copy the law of the LORD, you will become like a tree planted by the streams of water, whose leaf does not wither.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do propers. Psalm 1:1-3

Psalm 1:1-3

If you were a king in the Old Testament days, you would have been required to write out the law, the Word of God. It was considered a spiritual discipline. After writing out the law, they were required to keep it with them and read it all their lives. The purpose of practicing this discipline was to keep their hearts close to God, so they remained humble and followed God’s commands. If the king did these things, he and his descendants would reign a long time over his kingdom.

If this spiritual discipline of writing Scripture was important for Old Testament kings, don’t you think it would hold the same value and effectiveness for us today?

(Read Becoming A Scribe For God HERE)

When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

 Other benefits and forms of journaling.

I have been journaling for years. It has been one of the most transformative practices I have done. Some of the benefits I have found from keeping a written record of my journey are as follows:

• Clarifies my understanding of the nature of God
• Helps me know myself better
• Records my spiritual journey
• Organizes my thoughts
• Allows me to play with ideas and words
• Reveals thoughts that might never have occurred to me otherwise
• Brings unity to the heart and head

I am sure there are many other benefits to journal keeping I’ve yet to discover, but there is no doubt about the power of words in my life. There are many types of journals we can keep. Below is a picture of some of my current journals.

Here is a list of some types of journals you can keep. Of course, you could simplify all of this by simply purchasing an inexpensive notebook and doing all of this in one notebook. I just happen to have a hobby of making, collecting, and buying journals.

• Daily Diary
• Scripture Writing
• Prayer Journal
• Art Journaling
• Morning Pages
• Gratitude Journal
• Faith Journal
• Reading Journal

Getting Started

There is no right or wrong way to journal. Grab some paper, or log onto your computer. Whatever pleases you and works best for you is okay. As a spiritual practice, journaling will require engagement and prayer. Just start with a quick prayer to ask God to open your heart and your ears and be your guide. To constitute a “practice” means that journaling should become a habit or a routine. I pray you discover the transformative power of journal keeping!

Heavenly Father, we commit to you our thoughts, words, and deeds as we pray about how you want us to use the practice of keeping a journal, direct us on how to move forward. Lord, we want to be transformed by your Words and use the spiritual discipline of journaling. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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