I will be the first to say we would all do well to keep a journal and be as consistent as possible. Why? A personal journal is a powerful tool for spiritual discipline, growth, and self-discovery.
Journaling and note-taking help with spiritual growth and reflection. Reading the Bible regularly and recording our thoughts, prayers, and insights in a journal can deepen our understanding of God’s word and our relationship with Him. It also helps us with memorization and retention. Journaling allows us to reflect on how God speaks and directs our lives. It also helps us to grow in our daily walk with God. David wrote in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
It also provides a space for self-reflection and processing emotions—something we all need to do. It can be a therapeutic way to process our feelings and experiences, both good and bad. It allows us to explore our thoughts and feelings in a safe and private space, which can lead to increased self-awareness and emotional healing. Anne Frank said that “Paper has more patience than people.”
Journaling as we study and process God’s Word can encourage accountability and consistency as we wrestle with biblical truth and application. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17). The Holy Spirit works in our heart as we write. (see John 16:7-11) By committing to a regular Bible reading and journaling routine, we can hold ourselves accountable to our spiritual goals and develop a sacred space for connecting with God.
Keeping a journal allows us to look back and see how far we’ve come in our spiritual journey. The good, the bad, and the ugly are all in there. It can be encouraging to see how God has worked in our lives and to be reminded of answered prayers and milestones in our faith. Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” I pray this helps someone today.