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12 Reasons to Keep a Journal

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.*

How to Pray While Navigating Uncertainty

How to Pray While Navigating Uncertainty

Stress and Uncertainty

This past week has been a difficult one. The company that I work for full-time is going through a re-structure. This isn’t the first one I’ve experienced, rather I’ve experienced many. You can read more about that in this post here. Company restructures are never easy and this one feels more stressful than those of the past. I empathize with anyone that has faced something like this. When faced with uncertainty, it calls upon your resilience muscles to be strong and exercised more.

*Making a note to myself now for a future resiliency post. Coming soon!*

Prayer is Absolutely a Strategy

During the restructure in 2020, I wrote a prayer as I was navigating through it. It has been a powerful prayer that I’ve come back to time and time again. I have it written in my notes app on my phone so I have it with me always.

I have found myself this past week reading through past prayer journal entries to remind myself of whose I am. I’ve needed the reminders that work does not define who I am. My job title does not. The company I work for does not. Rather, Jesus, has already found me worthy by dying for me on the cross. That is my worth and value. He is where my worth and value are. And I pray that you know that you have that same worth and value in Jesus too. He loves you. He cares for you. Just as He loves and cares for each of us. Even me. And I’ve needed that reminder this week. Romans 8:35 and Romans 8:38-39. Nothing can separate us from His love.

Let Us Pray Together

Here’s the prayer I wrote back in 2020. Please borrow it as you need. Use it if you are struggling to find the words to talk to our Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father,

How easy it is to be thrown off track, to become uncentered. The world feels unstable. Instead of clinging to you, I run away. I hide and busy myself to ignore it all. I know you are the King of Kings, the creator of all. You are more powerful and mighty than any trouble, any stress, any worry. The enemy loves to play his games with my emotions, my doubts, my fears, my vulnerabilities. Jesus, I invite you in this moment with me. I need you. Fill me with your peace and joy. Ground me in your truth. Quiet my mind. Make still my nerves. Help me remember whose I am. Help me remember that you and you alone have control no matter the level of choas. Lord Jesus, in your name, I cast away the worry and fear. In your name, Father, I cast aside the anxiety. Fear does not come from you. Love comes from you! I need you always in my life. I am open to your love, your peace, your spirit. Lord Jesus, in your name this day will not be overwhelming, it will be successful, it will be okay. This day cannot overtake me, and it cannot overwhelm me. This day does not have that power, control, or authority over me. This day does not have permission to be these things. Father, you are with me. You created this day, and I will rejoice in it. I am grounded in you. I am grounded in your truth. Regardless of the Goliath in this day or in this season of my life…even if I only have a slingshot and a rock, ALL things are possible with you. Truth always stands. Hope is not silent. I am the daughter of the King. My worth and value is found in you. You hold my worth and value. Help me to stand grounded in that. Grant me the courage to stand firm and not waver. You created me and blessed me with talents and gifts that have a purpose. You have a bigger plan, a greater picture than this small piece that I can see in front of me. Help me rest in you, in your love. Lift my eyes to see you in the midst of the storm. Quiet my mind and fill me with your peace and joy. Holy Spirit, I pray that you come.

Amen.

Prayer by Carlynn Rainey-Crawford