How many of you hear someone talking about keeping a journal and cringe at the thought? Or perhaps you have started and re-started several times, without much progress. Even though I am in the “start/re-start” crowd, I encourage you to consider – or reconsider – Journaling. You may ask, “Brother Neville, why should I keep a journal?” Well, as I mentioned in my message this week, everyone is seeking a happy and meaningful life. Yet, as the researchers in a study conducted a few years ago noted:

“While the two [happiness and meaningfulness] are similar, dramatic differences exist – and one should not underestimate the power of meaningfulness. “The quest for meaning is part of what makes us human,” [1]

And, as in all things, there is a “way of the world” approach and a Christian approach. The question centers on the “Why.” As the researchers went on to note:

“Happiness was linked to being a taker rather than a giver, whereas meaningfulness went with being a giver rather than a taker.” – Jennifer Aaker  [2]

Spiritual Journaling is different than just keeping a diary. The scriptures remind us that the “why” is less about ourselves and more about those who are far from God. As we draw ever closer and increasingly become more like Jesus, Spiritual Journaling helps us reduce our desires to “take” and increase our ability to “give.”

Psalm 119:15 – “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.”

Philippians 4:8 – “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me….”

Spiritual Journaling

• Make journaling a habit. Journal daily to get the maximum effect. When you journal each day, you will feel compelled to have something to write about.

• Begin with the Bible, set a schedule, and write it down. As John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said:

“Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: only God is here. In His presence I open, I read His book; for this end, to find the way to heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of Lights: “Lord, is it not Thy word, ‘If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God’? Thou ‘givest liberally, and upbraidest not.’ Thou hast said, ‘If any be willing to do Thy will, he shall know.’” [3]

“If you desire to read the scripture in such a manner as may most effectually answer this end, would it not be advisable, to set apart a little time, if you can, every morning and evening for that purpose? At each time if you have leisure, to read a chapter out of the Old, and one out of the New Testament: if you cannot do this, to take a single chapter, or a part of one?” [4]

“It might also be of use, if while we read, we were frequently to pause, and examine ourselves by what we read, both with regard to our hearts, and lives. This would furnish us with matter of praise, where we found God had enabled us to conform to his blessed will, and matter of humiliation and prayer, where we were conscious of having fallen short.” [5]

Practical tips to get started and how to organize your journal:

1. Relax. Journaling should be more than just a chronological diary of your day. It should be a meaningful and rewarding experience, containing your thoughts, reflections, and perceptions of your daily life and events. Do not worry about grammar or spelling – your language teacher will not be grading you!
2. Review your day. Depending on the time you select, begin each journal entry by reviewing the day considering the scripture you have read. Either what is ahead, or what has happened. Hit the highlights and be willing to be honest with yourself.
3. Organize your journal in a way that is comfortable for you. You can spend money on fancy notebooks, workbooks, etc., but I recommend a simple notebook with three basic sections.
   1. Table of Contents – You want to be able to find things again later. Simply note the Date, Topic (if any), and Page number.
   1. Prayer Requests – Make a section where you can record your prayer requests, allowing room to note when/how they were answered.
   1. Journal Pages – Start a new page for each day, noting the Date, and Topic (if any) and then listing that in the Table of Contents.

Conclusion:

Journaling is intimidating for most people. We don’t want to look at the dark or otherwise challenging places in ourselves and our lives. However, shining a little light on these areas can do more for your walk with God than you realize.

The basis for personal growth is gaining a greater understanding of yourself as a child of God. Journaling is an effective way to accomplish this. Create a journaling habit and watch your spiritual and personal growth take off.

In my next post we’ll look at a few more ways to focus your journaling efforts:

• Journaling for the Past
• Journaling for the Present
• Journaling for the Future
• Journaling to deal with Emotions

Be blessed today, my friends. And remember, God loves you and so do I.

Bro. Neville

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[1] Stanford research: The meaningful life is a road worth traveling accessed online 6/1/2021.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Preface to Sermons on Selected Occasions,

[4] Preface to Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament

[5] Ibid.