Growing Your Faith through Journaling
One of the best tools to help grow your faith is journaling.
The spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, Bible study, and memorization are all enhanced by the reflection that takes place when we journal. Writing out our prayer requests and answers, our reflections upon Bible reading, or our notes from Bible study all serve to further open our hearts and minds to what God is doing.
Prayer
When we journal our prayer requests, we have the opportunity to be specific, to keep track of the needs of others, to remember God’s promises regarding prayer, and to recall specific requests, taking note when God answers.
This focus during prayer grows our faith and encourages us to come daily to the Lord, seeking His face, and trusting Him with our lives and the needs of others.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2, New International Version
When we spend time daily devoting ourselves to prayer, we are more likely to be thankful, to search our hearts for sinful acts and attitudes, to be watchful for how God is working in and through us and around us, and to make the most of our time.
Bible Study
Likewise, journaling our thoughts as we study the Bible will focus our minds on what God is saying and how He wants us to respond. While a daily reading of a Scripture or devotional can be helpful and inspirational, Bible study encourages our spiritual growth more readily.
Bible study involves exploring the historical and cultural context, the literary and biblical context, what the passage says, what the passage means, and how God wants us to respond.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22
The GROWTH Bible study method is one way to ensure that we study the Bible inductively, asking the right questions of the text in its proper context and making application to our own lives.
Journaling enables us to work through that process so that we are truly being transformed by God’s Word.
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
Meditation and Memorization
Taking time to meditate on a particular verse or passage encourages our understanding and faithfulness to the Word. Meditation is simply thinking about the truths we encounter in Scripture and their meaning for our lives.
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Psalm 1:1-2
When we meditate on the Word, we are delighting in the God who spoke the Word and His will for our lives. Journaling enables us to focus on a particular verse as we write it out word by word.
Memorizing Scripture likewise enables us to hide the Word in our hearts so we can call on God’s truth when we need it.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11
As we meditate on a verse in our journals, writing it out each day, it helps us commit that word to our memories, calling on God’s faithfulness in time of need.
Journaling is an effective means of recording God’s revelation to us through His Word, our responses to Him in prayer, and recalling His faithfulness to us. It enables us to process our thoughts and feelings in healthy ways as our minds are transformed by God’s Word.
“I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.”
Psalm 77:12
I have been journaling my quiet time with God for many years, and it has transformed my relationship with God. That’s why I encourage other women to get a notebook and pen as you spend time with the Lord and keep track of what He is speaking and doing in your life.
Seek Him Daily: A 40-Day Journal for Spiritual Growth
Our daily time with God should be something we enjoy, something we look forward to—not something we feel obligated to do. Not another item to check off a list.
Our time with the Lord should be something we delight in because we are growing our relationship with the King of kings. How miraculous and mind-blowing is that?
Seek Him Daily: A 40-Day Journal for Spiritual Growth is a tool to guide your time with Him. Each day is divided into three sections:
Delight
This first section is a place to journal your prayers. The outline is just a guide to get you started with a verse and a prayer prompt. The goal of this section is to encourage your faithfulness and diligence in prayer, to remind you of needs, and to inspire you as you recognize answers to your prayers.
Dwell
This section is a guide for Bible study. You will choose a book of the Bible to study over forty days. The verse at the top in this section is to inspire your study time as you delve into your chosen passage.
You will find questions to facilitate your study so that you are considering the context and background, the interpretation, and the application of a passage using the GROWTH Bible study method described in the book.
Devote
This last section is a place to meditate on and memorize a verse each week and to journal what God is speaking through His Word. These spiritual disciplines will encourage you to be devoted to God and to listen to Him as He speaks.
You can get Seek Him Daily: A 40-Day Journal for Spiritual Growth here.
I pray this journal will inspire your devotion to God and grow your faith in Him as you get grounded in His Word.