Emotional Health: Faith Expression through Journaling

It’s soothing.
The scratch of pen on paper, arranging letters into words, then into sentences.
To see sentences take on a life of their own, to put what we are feeling on the inside into something tangible on the outside.

Whether you want to get your feelings and thoughts out, or it’s a way to make sense of a current situation, journaling is a healthy and cathartic way to process and to hear from God.
Sometimes our thoughts can swirl around in our heads so much that it is hard to make sense of what we need to know, and putting those thoughts down where we can see them helps to clarify and soothe our hearts and minds. 

Journaling is a way to be connected to God.
There is something comforting about writing out the longings of our heart or getting the anxieties out and inviting God into those spaces.
When we write, we wait for God to respond. 

We have great examples in the Bible of writing to God.
King David poured out his heart to God through prayer, Psalms, and poetry.
He wasn’t afraid to say how he felt, if he was scared or happy, and he let God know about the situations that felt hopeless, and the joy of being rescued from certain situations.
King Solomon dispensed the wisdom he gained from God through Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. 

Have you tried journaling?
It may feel intimidating, but it’s just putting one thought or feeling down to give you space to process with God. 

Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

1. Take a Bible verse on a topic that you are struggling with (i.e. fear, peace, decisions).
   Write it out.
   Write down the characteristics of God that you see supported in the verse.
   Then write out a prayer of your own based on this verse.
   
   a. Example: Fear

Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 CSB

Truths of God:
He is with me. He is my God. He will strengthen me. He will help me. He holds me in His hands.

Prayer:
Father, I am afraid of this unknown situation. I do not know what to do, and I have not been here before. But You know and You will go before me. You tell me not to fear, for You are with me, and that You are my God. Strengthen me, and help me, for I trust in You. Amen.

2. Write out three things you are grateful for.
   They can range from anything big or small, from getting healed from sickness to the flowers outside your window.
   Write down why you are thankful for them, and where you see God at work because of them.

3. Try writing a Psalm of your own.
   Put down praise, questions, and reminders of God’s characters in the form of a poem.
   Psalms 1 and 27 are good examples if you don’t know where to start.

Journaling can be a fun, freeing, and comforting activity that helps you share what’s been bottled up inside, and a wonderful way for God to meet you in the ways you need.
Don’t be afraid to be honest with God; the more honest you are, the more God can move.
We can take heart from Psalm 38 and offer up ourselves when the writer says:

All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.

Prayer and Reflection:
– What are some thoughts/hesitations that you might have with regards to journalling?
– How can praise and gratitude be in a form of a journal for yourself?
– Pray and allow the Holy Spirit to inspire you with a fresh approach in expressing your faith and growing in your intimacy with God through journaling.