Tips on How to Journal

What is a Journal?
A journal is simply a place where you write down your thoughts, important ideas or events that you want to remember.

A Spiritual Journal is where you record the important spiritual truths you learn each day and do not want to forget. A Spiritual Journal is not a record of your daily activities, it is a record of what you believe God is teaching you.

Journaling helps you to dream, try out different ideas, to get things down on paper for further consideration. It is a place where you can express all of your thoughts and emotions without fear. Writing is a means of cleansing the soul, unburdening yourself and stepping into new freedom of spirit. You will find that it is a valuable tool that will become an essential part of your recovery.

Journaling Tips

  1. Pick a time each day to do your journaling. First thing in the morning, right before going to bed at night, lunch time). Stick to that time every day. Make it a priority.
  2. Use journaling software to keep you on track and organized.
  3. Pray before you journal. Ask God for guidance and to open your heart and mind to His promptings.
  4. Read a passage in your Bible and use it as a springboard for thoughts and ideas.
  5. Share your feelings and concerns with God in writing. Prepare the soil of your heart for the seeds of His Word.
  6. Find a quiet place where you feel comfortable and will not be distracted.
  7. Have a cup of tea or something to refresh you while you journal.
  8. Need a place to start? Use the CIR Daily Recovery Thought, Scripture and Prayer as a starting point each day.
  9. Connect with yourself. Know what you need in your relationships, your work, your health, and sticking with and moving forward in your projects. Journal writing is a perfect tool to help you stay connected with yourself and make progress in your life.
  10. Keep a journal of authenticity and truth. Focus on your issues, your needs, your desires—and you’ll find life solutions will appear.
  11. Deepen your journal writing. Keep your journal writing, fresh, alive, interesting, and fun.
  12. Don’t answer the phone, cell phone or pager! This is YOUR time for YOU.
  13. Start now — don’t wait until tomorrow.

Suggested Reading to help you with journaling.

Journaling Exercises

  1. Lord, as I face today, I am feeling…
  2. Write a letter to someone in your life who is creating emotional conflict for you, a letter you will never send.
  3. Write about all the things in the world that touch your heart. Offer gratitude to God if you feel that.
  4. Write about an important event in your life that really changed you.
  5. Use the Lord’s Prayer as a springboard.
    • Monday pray, meditate and journal on: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.”
      Think about who God is (His omnicience, omnipotence, grace, holiness, mercy, love for you, etc.). How does this
      bear on your recovery? your day today? Notice that you say Our Father and not “my” Father. What does
      that tell you?
    • Tuesday pray, meditate and journal on: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
      Think about His kingdom, what it is, what His will is for you and this world, how you can align your will with His will, how you can help usher in His kingdom today, etc.)
    • Wednesday pray, meditate and journal on: “Give us this day our daily bread” How will God’s provision this day help you? What are your true needs this day? etc. through out the week.
  6. Describe the story of your life as a fairy tale.
  7. Write about your parents. How is he;she similar and different from you?
  8. Write a love letter to someone you love, or a love letter to God, or yourself.
  9. Describe something that happened when you were little that frightened you & offering that child protection.
  10. What would you ask God if you had a face-to-face encounter?
  11. Write a letter to your mom/dad telling her/him all the things I appreciate about her/him.
  12. A letter to your mom/dad telling her/him all the things that hurt you or made you mad. Include forgiveness if you feel it.
  13. Tell God about your deepest desires of your heart, your dreams and goals.
  14. Scriptural ]journaling: Use any scripture and meditate upon the Words. Imagine yourself in the story or visualize being with Jesus. Write about your feelings. What is the Spirit telling you?/li>
  15. Spiritual Art Collage: Cut out words and pictures from magazines that touch your soul. Glue them on paper-add any words, color, symbols, you want to. Express a situation, a feeling, a relationship using imagery.

Challenges You May Encounter

  1. Privacy issues
  2. Finding time to prioritize journaling
  3. Losing interest
  4. Spending too much time writing
  5. Dwelling on life’s problems and failing to see life’s joys
  6. Not finding anything to write about
  7. What to do with past journals?