5 Reasons Journaling is an Effective Spiritual Discipline

​The challenge with spiritual disciplines is the "discipline" part. To say something requires discipline makes it feel like a "check-the-box" duty, not something enjoyable. We understand that we are referring to the spiritual practices that help us abide with Christ and grow deeper in our relationship with God. Most of us would agree that without regular connection and communication with God, our relationship will suffer.

​Growing up in the faith, I have experimented with a variety of spiritual disciplines. At age 15, I felt compelled to get up at 5:00 AM to read my Bible and pray. I was able to keep the commitment for six-months until I realized that the "crack of dawn" was not required by God. Over the years, in different seasons, I have tried various approaches to keep my walk with God fresh. 

---

A few years ago, a friend encourage me to add journaling to my time with the Lord. I have found it to be an effective approach for the following reasons.

1.  It forces me to slow down - It takes time to write. The discipline has been helpful because if I'm not careful, it's easy to speed through my quiet time and move on to other responsibilities. 

2.  It facilitates meditation on the scripture and makes me process my thoughts - Journaling causes me to engage with the scripture, to ask questions, and to look for points of application. If I'm just reading the Bible, I don't always do this. 

In both Joshua chapter one and Psalm one, the Lord speaks of keeping the Word of God on our hearts day and night. This is the process of meditation or repeatedly thinking of the scripture. 
​
3. I tend to remember things I write down - There's an old saying that I believe is true: "the shortest pencil is longer than the longest memory." There is even scientific research to prove we remember more of what we write down.

4.  It gives me a record of what God is doing in my life. It's so rewarding to read what God was saying to me a year ago. 

5.  I'm more engaged and it's harder for my mind to wander. We all know what it's like to begin praying or reading the Bible and have our minds wander to other things. Journaling helps me focus my thoughts on the Word of God.

If you have never used journaling in your daily time with God, here are some ways to get started. Grab a journal and write a short (or long) note under each heading.

Use the SOAP method

• Scripture - Write a scripture that stands out to you in your reading.
• Observation - Write what God speaks to you from this verse.
• Application - Write how you can obey and apply this verse to your life.
• Prayer - Write a prayer about what you just read.

Use the DRAW method

• Devotion - Write about God's character and who He is.
• Reflection - Write about what God is wanting you to learn.
• Acknowledge - Write about what God has done. Remember his blessings and answers to prayer.
• Will of God - Write about God's will and the obedience He is calling you to.

Use the PRAY method

• Praise - Write a praise for what God has done. What are you grateful for?
• Repent - Write about something God has shown you during your quiet time. Is there something for which you need to confess?
• Ask - Write a prayer to God for the people who are on your heart.
• Yield - Write about an area of your life God is calling you to surrender.

I encourage you to use a variety of strategies to keep your time with the Lord fresh and consistent. At times, instead of the approaches I mentioned, you can use these prompts to write during your time with the Lord.

• What is God saying to me as I read my Bible?
• From these verses, what can I apply to my life today?
• What step of obedience is God calling me to that I have been avoiding?
• In what area of my life do I need to ask for God's guidance?
• What am I grateful for today?
• Who do I feel led to pray for today?
• What step of faith is God asking me to take?
• Is there a sin I need to confess to God?
• What scripture verse do I want to meditate on today?
• Is there a fear, worry, anxiety, or frustration that I need to give to God.

When you make this a spiritual habit, I believe you’ll start to see some growth in your spiritual life over time. I think you’ll see the benefits of this practice if you make it a part of your daily routine! 

If you enjoyed this article, I would be honored if you would share it on social media. 

Missed last week's article? Check it out here... The Three Sides of Discipleship

Interested in starting your own podcast? Click here to learn how.