In Journal Is a Verb, I explained five things you can journal to help you stay focused on God. Today I want to offer some additional insights into the value of journaling.
God encourages us to come to Him when we're distressed (Psalm 120:1), in trouble (Psalm 50:15), fearful (Psalm 34:4), lacking strength (Psalm 105:4), joyful (Psalm 100:1), thankful (Psalm 100:4) … no matter our mood or situation.
Journaling:
1. Improves our memory and comprehension. Slowly handwriting a Scripture passage has more impact than reading or typing it (source).
2. Helps us record answers we find in Scripture so we can refer back to them when we face similar situations.
3. Helps us release stress by Unloading and Reloading—unloading negative thoughts and replacing them with God's truth.
4. Helps us gather our thoughts for more effective prayer and gives us a place to record prayer requests and answers to prayer.
5. Actually strengthens immune functions to improve our physical health (source). This one surprised me too!
What? You throw them out? No! I would rather you linked up at my Random Journal Day Link up, Gail!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out your link up, but my journals are such a scribbled mess at times that they aren't worth keeping. I do sometimes pull out pages to keep when I toss them though.
DeleteLove this devotional on journaling! I hope more of us catch the "bug" since it is such an amazing tool for spiritual growth. Thanks sweet Gail!
ReplyDeleteCarly @ ryandcar.blogspot.com
Yes, I've been trying to convince my husband (an adamant non-writer) that it could even do him some good : )
DeleteI didn't realize ALL of the benefits of journaling, Gail.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insight. Journaling is so personal. I understand why you would toss them out, although some of them would be encouragment for others.
I do pull out pages now and then to keep, but my journals end up being part prayers, part Scripture study, part ideas, part lists, etc. Very personal but not easy to reread. I've tried to use nice handwriting and only write profound things when I get a nice leather journal, but I fail...they end up messy : )
DeleteThat's why I love composition books.
I love to write yet I have never given much thought to journaling. Thank you for sharing, I just might take it up.
ReplyDeleteOh I love journaling! I've done it for years - I have asthma, and my specialist actually "prescribed" it and I've been doing it ever since. I understand the desire to throw them out - but I keep mine. After my grandmother passed away I came across a journal of hers, from when she was a young mother, and it is so soothing on so many levels.
ReplyDeletethanks for the post!
Journaling even affects us physically, as well as spiritually and emotionally. Like you they sometimes need to be thrown away. I hope this post encourages many to pick up their pen.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!! I shall journal more. I used to be superb At this-but two kids later-well blogging is as good as it gets.
ReplyDeleteI do have a gratitude journal though :-)
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Thank you. God Bless
ReplyDeleteI've been trying for years to get into the habit of journaling,but end up writing a couple of days then it just dries up and I can't keep it up.Maybe the enemy is behind that,I don't know.It's like prayer,at times the harder I try to pray,the harder it gets!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Gail: I have been a supporter of journaling since 1995, when I rededicated my life to Jesus. As a matter of fact, in 2008, I wrote a book entitled: Journaling Twenty plus Reasons Why You Should Start Now.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am constantly extolling the many benefits of daily journaling.
Thank you for the valuable information and insight you provide.
Sincerely,
Barbara J. Henry