When did the word “journal” become a verb?
It used to be a noun: a record of “occurrences, experiences, and reflections kept on a regular basis.”(1)
But journaling, like googling, is now a verb. And journaling is a great tool for spiritual growth.
We can journal our:
1. Prayers—to remember requests and record answers. Philippians 4:6-7
(1) thefreedictionary.com
Has journaling helped you in your walk with the Lord? Do you have any tips to share? If you'd like some ideas for making ordinary composition books into attractive journals, see Pretty Journals.
I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first 4 devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon.
I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.
Bible Love Notes
I am a writer and journaling has always been the way God allowed me to express what I was feeling (without being as self-conscious as I am when I write my stories). I have been journaling for 6 or 7 years now and I love going back and looking at who I was back then and then seeing the transformation God has made in me. It's amazing!
ReplyDeleteMany blessings to you!
visiting from Here to Find Him
Thanks for sharing these insights from your personal journaling experience, Megan.
DeleteI too have found journaling to be an excellent outlet. It's a cathartic form of prayer and often spares loved ones from becoming my dumping ground! It's also helpful to read past entries when I am feeling sorry for myself. My journal is my own "voice" reminding me how truly faithful the Lord is - past, present, and future.
ReplyDeleteI also find it helpful for these reasons, Erin. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteI love journaling-you're so right it is totally a verb Gail! I have enjoyed recording prayer requests, events, and thoughts for God over the years and being able to look back to see how He showed up. Journaling has only enriched my walk with Him.
ReplyDeleteChecking out your other post now too :)
Carly @ ryandcar.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing, Carly.
DeleteI journal on my devotional journal and via blogging. It's nice to meet you, Gail! Thanks for visiting my blog, "Living for God." Hope you'll come back and visit again sometime :)!
ReplyDeleteGood point--our personal journaling can be a source of things we share on our blogs. For me, that is often the case. If I'm struggling with discouragement, I journal about it and often end up writing a devotion about the things I've learned from journaling,Scripture and prayer.
DeleteIt is difficult to fully describe the value of journaling - for me, it has become a way of communicating deeply with God, where what He teaches me becomes real as I write about it, and where I share my heart with Him. Things make more sense to me after I have journaled about them. It is a way of slowing down to listen and to learn. And often what I have journaled about then becomes the starting point of a blog post.
ReplyDeleteI can so identify with what you've written here, Cherry. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteHi Gail - I don't really have any tips re journaling except to say it means so much to me, it concretes my thoughts, it puts in front of my eyes problems and solutions and God's answers. Journaling may now be a verb but to me it is also a life saver :)
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Thanks for sharing, Tracy. I agree. Journaling keeps my thoughts "concrete" as you say, as I share them with the Lord and process them myself.
DeleteGreat post. You have great suggestion and scriptures to aid in journal-ling. (Used as a verb!)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Susie
Thanks, Susie, and I have another journaling post coming tomorrow with some interesting facts about journaling and physical health.
DeleteGail,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you came to visit my blog. I love, love your blog. Looking forward to reading your post and what the Lord is showing you.
Blessings,
Lisa
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for the kind comments, Lisa. Bless you, Gail
DeleteI wish I could link up here but I have never been a journal-er. My blog, which began less than 1 1/2 years ago, is the closest thing I have ever done to journal ling. However, I will enjoy reading the posts linked.
ReplyDeleteGail,
ReplyDeleteGood post, as always! Journaling is a source of great joy, encouragement, and frustration. I think better when I write. I "hear" better when I write. Reflecting on previous entries inevitably brings encouragement at just the right time. Just a few months ago I opened to a page, not even sure if there was a tangible event that prompted me to do so, and it was exactly what I needed to hear for what I was going through. I read a post on someone's blog just this week and she said that she had written this post two years previously but had scheduled it to post on this day. She said it was as if she had written it just for herself, just for this day it posted. She received news that he granddaughter had an intestinal blockage, she said "It was not what we wanted to hear." The title of the post was nearly identical. God's gracious that way.
But, I'm detailed. Summarizing is painful. I'm an all-or-nothing personality. It's difficult for me to write only a portion. So with four kids, finding time to journal in the sense of documenting my days is a frustrating endeavor. I do keep a journal with my Bible and devotional and keep "notes" during my quiet time.
Thanks for the opportunity to dialogue on this topic!
Thanks for taking the time to share so thoroughly, Janey. It's interesting that you talk about God using a past entry to speak to you later. I recently experienced something similar with a passage I marked in a book years earlier.
DeleteI used to journal..... and I need to again. I used to have prayer journals, but then stopped. I could tell a difference. Looking forward to tomorrow's post.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips.
ReplyDeleteI journal off and on. I get motivated when things crop up in my life that seem overwhelming and it seems a good outlet to let out fear, frustration and prayer requests. More interesting to me has been my 92 year old mother who is battling to keep her memory alive. She began journaling as a suggestion from the staff at the assisted living apartment where she lives. At the time she began, her memory was very good. Now however, when the daily activities leave her memory quickly, she goes to her "book" and then can remember what she did yesterday, or Easter Sunday, even though it may only be hours or a few days ago. I know that in years to come, I will treasure her writings. She has beautiful handwriting even at her advanced age - her hands are very steady. My point in all of this is, journaling is a good habit regardless of our age and may prove to be helpful in many ways.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I love this story about your mom, Carol. How neat that journaling can be used to help our failing memory. And I so identify with journaling when life throws us off guard. Thanks for sharing, dear friend.
DeleteGreat! I love journaling! IF only I could find a quilt for journals as I tend to journal in one and then another and have bits and pieces scattered like squares of stories all over my house.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful post. I usually journal my quiet times and it varies as to what I include. I like to write down what I actually read for accountability's sake. My favorite is copying out the verses that spoke to me. I love how you outlined 5 areas to include in journaling our quiet times.
ReplyDeleteGAIL,
ReplyDeleteHave tried different times to journal also. I'm a bad writer (penmanship) and get discouraged. Been reading lots of W.PHILLIPS KELLER BOOKS. Don't want to write in the books so Journaling would be better. Will start tomorrow. Love your site. I click on everything. Like a sponge, want to learn so much more.
Donna
I believe if more people journaled, more people would grow in the Lord. Real spiritual growth occurs when you write and record your gratefulness, bible verses, prayers and pleadings, and convictions of the HS. I have been journaling daily for 15 years and will not travel anywhere without my journal.
ReplyDeleteIs this not exactly what David did in the Psalms ?
ReplyDeleteYes, Martine, in some ways it is. The main difference is that the Psalmists were speaking God's Words (i.e. divinely inspired), but they serve as a good example for us. Great point! Thanks.
DeleteI love journaling! It helps me to think more about the scriptures I'm reading and also helps me to reflect on past times when I need encouragement or am needing to remember God's continuing faithfulness in my life. Also, it's a great way to remember to pray for others. Writing it down just helps it stay with me longer! I always enjoy your devotionals. Thank you for your obedience and faithfulness in writing!
ReplyDelete