12 Reasons to Keep a Journal

I was just in my prayer journal and reading through the last few entries. One paragraph in an entry expresses how I feel like I’m wandering through the wilderness. It’s much like what the Israelites did, (Deuteronomy 29:5-6). I feel like I’m wandering because where I work full-time is restructuring the entire company, which includes headcount reductions (layoffs). I wrote about one of the ways I’m navigating this uncertainty last week. I’m in the middle of the unknown and living in an in-between place. The ways I’m choosing to battle through this is reminding myself of what is true. Did you know that truth telling = confession? To confess is to tell the truth, which is exactly what Perspective Confessions is all about. Below is a list of reminders I wrote in my prayer journal. It includes tidbits from journal entries from the months and weeks leading up to the restructure.

12 Journal Confessions of What is True

• Give the feelings of uncertainty, fear, numbness, and disconnection to God
• Stop running away from hard feelings. Journal to process the feelings and/or talk with a trusted friend or therapist.
• Surrender to Him. I am not in control. God is in control. Have faith and trust in Him. Mark 9:24
• Inviting Jesus into this weird place with me when I can’t seem to surrender it just yet
• Praying a simple prayer asking Him to “lead the way”.
• Jesus is Lord – John 13:13
• God is unchanging – Isaiah 40:8
• God loves me – 1 John 4:16
• I’ve been found worthy without works. I don’t have to prove myself through work.- Galatians 2:16
• My identity is not my work or my job title, it’s Jesus Christ – Galatians 3:26
• Move forward one step at a time
• Focus on Him – 1 Chronicles 16:11

12 Reasons to Keep a Journal

If you don’t already, I recommend keeping a journal. I don’t write in my journal every day. I don’t even write in it every week. However, it has been a practice in my life over the years. And, it has proven to be a powerful tool.

1. It allows the processing of thoughts and feelings.
2. It also provides the opportunity to go back and read through experiences at different points in time.
3. It’s a tool that helps you reflect on your mindset during past hardships.
4. It helps you remember how things turned out.
5. Reflection is a powerful tool. Hindsight is 20/20 after all.
6. Journaling is a map that tells you where you’ve been and how far you’ve come. It helps you hold yourself accountable for how you got to where you are. It also helps you decide what you’d do differently, if anything.
7. Reviewing the words you wrote during a hardship will remind you later of your strength.
8. Articulating in written words helps your brain think more clearly.
9. It gives swirling thoughts a home.
10. It helps make clear what is unclear.
11. It helps you navigate challenges.
12. Keeping a journal slows you down. The world is so loud, busy, and fast. It’s easy to lose yourself in it all. One day you look up and don’t remember how you got where you are. If we aren’t careful, life passes us by without our permission.

Your Turn! Journal Prompt

A journal is a great way to check in with yourself periodically. Put 10 minutes on the timer on your phone. Spend those 10 minutes answering the questions below.

• What is the biggest challenge you’re facing right now?
• How would you like for it to turn out?
• What can you do about it?
• What is the right next step?

If you are looking for another resource that will simultaneously help you pray, journal, and listen for God’s voice; I highly recommend the book, Living Fearless by Jamie Winship.

*Another article coming soon about Leadership and Journaling.*