Keeping a Journal

For the past few months I have been keeping a journal. I write all sorts of things in it. Sometimes I write about my spiritual life, sometimes about other more "mundane" things. I don't write in it every day, nor do I set aside specific time for it. I write as the mood strikes me, or as I have a free moment to get away from everything, or head down to Starbucks or something. And after doing so for these last few months, I would like to recommend journaling to you as a very helpful life aid.

The reason I find it to be so helpful is that, in writing down your thoughts, you have the ability to go back and read over them later. The benefit here is that you have a tangible way of tracking the progress you are making in your sanctification. Quite often we don't even realize the progress we have made because, while we would love to be able to grow by leaps and bounds all the time, spiritual growth normally occurs in subtle ways over long periods of time. When you write your thoughts and experiences down, you can look back and see ways that you have grown that you may not have even realized, and it can be a source of great encouragement.

Also, if you are going to keep a journal, I would strongly suggest that you resolve within yourself to be completely and totally honest with yourself as you write. Don't worry about the possibility of someone finding your journal and reading it. Find a safe place to keep your journal so that it won't be found, and feel the freedom to just write whatever is on your heart and mind. Don't try to "church it up". Even if you are having sinful thoughts, it is still good to write them down. If you are angry, jealous, bitter, or whatever you may be feeling, God already knows what you are thinking, so it isn't like you are keeping your thoughts hidden from him by holding them inside. I suppose there is an element of danger here, because your journal shouldn't be your personal "sin book", where you write in such a way to indulge your sinful thoughts. I'm not saying that if you happen to be struggling with having lustful thoughts about some woman you work with that it is good for you to write out your fantasies. But if you are able to write openly and honestly about what you are thinking and feeling, aside from the fact that it can be therapeutic, it also allows you to see your struggles on paper, and as such, I find it to be easier for me to confess my sins and pray about my struggles when I can see them in my journal.

Additionally, journaling is also a good method for prayer, because you can write out a prayer that is specific to what you are feeling and experiencing at that time, and then you will always have it to look back and reflect on, and even use again later in your personal devotions. I guess that's the Anglican in me talking, but I find that to be helpful.

Anyway, that's my two cents on journaling. Take it or leave it.