Notice: Function wp_enqueue_script was called incorrectly. Scripts and styles should not be registered or enqueued until the wp_enqueue_scripts, admin_enqueue_scripts, or login_enqueue_scripts hooks. This notice was triggered by the nfd_wpnavbar_setting handle. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 3.3.0.) in /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6078

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php:6078) in /home4/myhumbm8/public_html/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1831
{"id":725,"date":"2020-06-06T12:48:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-06T12:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myhumbleapology.com\/?p=725"},"modified":"2021-07-27T16:10:42","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T20:10:42","slug":"how-christian-journaling-can-help-you-grow-spiritually","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myhumbleapology.com\/2020\/06\/06\/how-christian-journaling-can-help-you-grow-spiritually\/","title":{"rendered":"How Christian Journaling Can Help You Grow Spiritually"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christian journaling has been a powerful part of my spiritual walk. Even before I kept a spiritual journal, I kept diaries and journals as a kid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can still remember my first lock & key diary that I got back in elementary school. I would write down my deepest, darkest 9-year-old secrets, and lock it up for no one to ever to read. (Although, I\u2019m pretty sure my sister figured out where the key was.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there is something therapeutic about having a place to mind-dump all your thoughts and feelings. A place to get it all off your chest, and then reflect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Christian Journaling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, why keep a spiritual journal?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, one of my favorite parts about journaling is reflecting. Reading back over my experiences and how they affected me and what I learned from God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I look back over my \u201cGod\u201d journals, a few things happen. Three major benefits come to mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One, I see how much I\u2019ve grown spiritually. It\u2019s nice to see that I\u2019ve made progress, even if it\u2019s just a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two, <\/strong>I can see how much I\u2019ve NOT grown. Let\u2019s be honest, we\u2019ve all hit those spiritual walls. That season we just didn\u2019t put a lot of effort into getting to know God. That will show up in your journals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll see questions that you wrote down years ago, and realize you still have the same questions. Why? Because you didn\u2019t seek as you should have. Or Bible verses that you initially wrote down to return to later with notes or commentary, and the page is still blank. This usually motivates me to do better moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And three, You\u2019ll come across verses that God gave you during tough times, or maybe you wrote down a prayer request that God answered. This will encourage you and remind you who God is and how He shows up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Christian Journaling Ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, what types of things can you write about in your journal?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, there are so many different things you can write about in your Christian or spiritual journal. And it really depends on you and what your spiritual needs are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 different ideas for using your spiritual journal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 Christian Journaling Ideas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  1. Write down \u201cgod\u201d moments.<\/strong> Anytime God speaks to you, lays something on your heart, or answers a prayer request. This practice is good for developing a \u201chistory in God\u201d. Do this enough, and you\u2019ll have a log of moments to look back over for encouragement.<\/li>
  2. Write down your prayers. <\/strong>You could either write down your prayers word for word or summarize what you prayed about for that day. As God answers your prayers, you could go back and write down what His answers were.<\/li>
  3. Bible study notes. <\/strong>As you study the Bible, it\u2019s important to take notes. You might come across a verse that stands out to you or a verse you might have questions about. A journal is a great place to write down these things. Write down your thoughts on the passages and see where God takes your understanding.<\/li>
  4. Questions for God. <\/strong>I\u2019ve at times had entire pages where I just wrote down questions I have for God. Whether it was questions about a particular story in the Bible, or more general questions like, why does God allow evil (a pretty big one). I can then pray over these questions asking for God to help me understand. <\/li>
  5. Gratitude journaling. <\/strong>You can use your journal to write down what you\u2019re grateful for every day. This is always a great practice for obvious reasons. Oftentimes we get so busy and overwhelmed with our minor daily frustrations, we need a \u201cperspective check\u201d. Doing this makes you realize things could be worse, and they are in fact a lot worse for a lot of people.  <\/li>
  6. Bible journaling. <\/strong>I have not tried the Bible art thing myself. This is where you draw, color, and\/or illustrate scenes from the Bible, or what\u2019s on your heart as it relates to scripture that you\u2019re reading. It\u2019s a growing trend, and lots of people enjoy doing it. I personally just don\u2019t know if I would get anything out of it. But that\u2019s just me. \ud83d\ude0a<\/li>
  7. Dreams. <\/strong>Do you dream a lot? Does it often feel like God is speaking to you through your dreams? Write them down. And pray over your dreams for Biblical interpretation.<\/li>
  8. Write down favorite scriptures and quotes. <\/strong>You can use your journals just to write down your favorite Bible verses or spiritual quotes. You then have a great place to go back to for encouragement.  <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How to Keep a Spiritual Journal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    So, we\u2019ve gone over some different ways in which you can use a spiritual journal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But the next big question is what kind of journal should you use?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And oh, boy! There are so many to choose from. I have to admit, I\u2019m a bit of a journal junkie. Like I mentioned before, I\u2019ve been keeping journals since I was in elementary school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There is just something magical about picking out just the right journal. The journal becomes your trusted friend that accepts you, flaws and all, with no judgement. It\u2019s a safe place to jot down your spiritual questions, concerns, experiences, Bible notes, favorite scriptures, and so much more, without the judgement of anyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So, it\u2019s important that you choose the right journal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You could go simple, and just get a journal with a cute cover, like the one below by Punch Studio that I use for my dreams. The cover is fancy and elaborate. But the inside is simple, with notebook pages for me to write on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n