Why You Should Keep a Journal in Your Walk with God

I remember the time I bought my first journal. It said "Trust in the Lord" and had butterflies on it. When I bought my first journal, I couldn't wait to write my first page. Little did I know, that it started something great with God that I never imagined I would reach with Him. I now have an obsession with writing and keeping notebooks and a desire to want more of Him than ever.

Journaling is more than just pretty little notebooks (although they are awesome), and having good handwriting in order to have one. (Trust me, it won't always be perfect, it will be all over the place) It's more than the usual "coffee and Jesus" trend that is plastered everywhere on social media. None of that stuff matters. It's about the effort and progress you are making to maintain a relationship with God. It's more than about yourself, it's about giving and communicating back to God, the creator and Heavenly Father.

Reasons why you should keep a journal:

1) Keep in Check of Your Spiritual Growth

As you continue to move on from season to season, you can look back on what you've learned in your previous seasons and you'd be surprised on how much you've grown in your walk with God and from the person you were to the person you are now. It's truly amazing.

2) Write down your favorite scriptures

If you're a person who easily forgets like me (sometimes), when it comes to a verse that's caught your attention, you might want to write it down. As well as when you're going through a good or tough time, you can go back to a scripture. His words are words of comfort and bring joy to the soul. (Psalms 19:7-8)

3) Write personal letters and prayers to God

If you don't feel like praying or don't know exactly what to pray, when in doubt, write it out. Write what's on your heart, it'll be just like you're talking to a friend. Also writing your answered prayers is a way of showing gratitude to God.

4) Remind you of His faithfulness

Looking back at at my journals one night and not only did I see that I've grown so much, but of how the Lord has been with me through the good and bad. It restored the confidence in God that He will come through again, as He did before. Whether you are in a bad or good season, looking back can remind you that the Lord is faithful and just as He was with you before, He will be with you in the present and future.

5) It can strengthen your relationship with the Lord As you write down your prayers, most deep inner thoughts and feelings, your relationship with the Lord is continuously growing. It gets personal. Taking time to spend valuable time with Him allows you to get close to God and redirects your focus on Him and who He is as God in your life.

6) Write down what you are thankful for

Living in a time such like this, it can be easy to look at the things we don't have rather than the things we do. But when we take a look at what we do have, it shifts your mind to the focus of God, the life He has given you, and what you could do with it. When you're grateful about what is, you have less time complaining about what isn't.

If you are journaling because you feel that you have to, then you will less likely see a change and less likely be motivated to keep up with God.

The Lord desires us to want to serve, worship, & long for Him out of adoration. He desires to have a relationship with Him rather than once a week visits. Are you journaling because everyone else is or because you desire to keep a relationship with Him? When you're on an adventure, you'd want to write down what you've experienced and cherish it with you anywhere you are in life. It's just the same in your journey with God.

Hey loves, share your thoughts on what your view is on journaling and/or how it has strengthened your walk with God. It may encourage someone, so we'd love to hear it!