Why Christian Journaling matters?

I’ve found that journaling is a record of God’s handiwork in me. Journaling reveals how God’s infinite abilities engage in specific ways in my life. As a journaler, I live my life more alert and interested in what’s going on around me in the physical and spiritual realms. I’m able to identify beauty or hardship because I’ve learned to open my eyes and ears to observe and engage with my Lord through my open heart. Like farmers who learn to sow and harvest based on their understanding of the weather and seasons, journalers bring what they see and experience to the Living God, who in turn provides unparalleled insight and wisdom for practical use.

This is the difference between spiritual journaling and cathartic journaling. God is welcomed onto the pages of the spiritual journal for his purposes to be made manifest.

Cathartic journaling is a way to seek much-needed relief, but it is without the benefit to the journaler of being transformed by the renewing of the mind. Only God provides this incredible transformation as we seek him to be renewed. It boils down to devotion. To whom does your heart belong?

In conversations with Christian counselors and recovery ministers, I discovered that journaling is a helpful tool to open the door to the heart and to the throne of the Almighty. It is a spiritual landing pad. A place to open up in our own honest and vulnerable voice to God.

On those pages, like the pages of the Bible, God will reveal himself. What does God say? “Draw near to me and I will draw near to you.”(James4:8)

As you open your heart, allow the God of the Universe to engage with you on the pages of your journal. Provision in God’s terms is pro-vision, for vision, the vision of your life. He will provide all that is necessary in this life, including your value and purpose.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:19) Jesus wants to be the one who satisfies us with good things. These are love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit, plus knowing his loving presence and eternal life, his rewards, and all the profound mercies and graces of being a child of the King.

We tend to focus on the physical rewards, but God uses his supernatural rewards to provide for our physical needs as well as the spiritual needs of our hearts and minds.

But do we know him in this way? Do we know him as our provider and the one who will see to it? Do we allow him that position?