Nourishing our Mind
By: Sisters in Christ
“Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.”
Malachi 3:16
STARTING TO JOURNAL
Hello Sisters, we are glad to have you here.
In this post, with the help of God, we will share some ways and benefits of journaling.
Let us understand the value of putting pen to paper to know Christ more through the Word and also know us. If we’ve reached a point in life where we find ourselves asking, “Who am I in Christ?” some self-discovery can help us get to know ourselves a little better.
Self-discovery might sound like a big, intimidating concept, but it’s just a process of:
- examining your life
- figuring out what’s missing
- taking steps toward fulfillment
We need to take time to meditate about our ways and why we are in the way are, and what needs to change, improve or take away from us.
Journaling is also an amazing way to talk to God.
There’s no better time for self-exploration than the present, so here are some tips to get you started.
START BY VISUALIZING YOUR IDEAL SELF
Well, we are followers of Jesus, so He needs to be our ideal Self.
Maybe our life has gone pretty smoothly according to the influences of our parents, teachers, friends, and others. Some influences help us to be like Jesus but some probably not. So now is a great opportunity to filter everything that does not make us walk the path that God left for us, and let it go away.
Let us start asking ourselves things like:
- Where am I in Christ?
- What do I need to change?
- Where do I need to improve?
- What needs to go? (This can be habits, sins, relationships, etc.)
- What is my calling?
- Am I living to fulfill my will in this life or to fulfill the will of God?
Then, apply these questions to all areas of your life.
Sisters, the questions will come as a raining traying wash our ways. Please be open to this cleanness.
The answers to these questions can give you a starting place. If you get stuck, go to the word of God and he will answer you.
ASK, SEEK, KNOCK
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
Putting pen to paper helps us sift through thoughts, struggles, questions, and frustrations. As we write, pray, and read the Word of God, the Holy Spirit speaks the truth, answering questions, and clears the clutter of our heart and mind so we can more fully see and follow Christ. God will soften our heart, quiets our soul, and revive our minds.
“even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:17
JOURNALING REMINDS US OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS.
Journals also serve as reminders to our soul of God’s faithfulness. It is amazing to see all that God had transformed us.
Not only do we believe the Bible to be the true, unfailing Word of God, but we can have records of how the God of the Bible has been faithful to us and others, even in the moments where we were unable to see his hand at work. This is vital during times of suffering, trial, and doubt. These records are testimonies that God won’t forsake you in your wounding and suffering. Rather, he will move, he will be faithful, he will fulfill his Word in your life.
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Ps. 138:8
JOURNALING HELPS US FOCUS ON THE WILL OF GOD.
Often, when we come to read the Word of God, we come with a distracted mind. Thoughts, worries, and to-do lists come like rain in my mind, fighting to be front and center in our attention where Jesus rightly deserves first place. Journaling, while we are reading the Word of God, enables us to focus on Him, bring us thoughts in alignment with what He has said and expected of us.
Remember Sisters, as we meditate on the Word of God, journal, and pray, we are building a deep relationship with God, which, over time, transforms our heart and life.
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26
JOURNALING IS A HELPFUL DISCIPLINE THAT KEEPS US COMING BACK, DAY AFTER DAY, TO THE WORD OF GOD.
Each day when we open our Bible with the desire to know God better, we are living a gospel-centered life, where His presence abides in us throughout the day.
Discipline is obedience in the Christian life. It is showing our Father that we are wholly His. and it shines a light on what matters most in this life. Specifically, journaling while learning the will of our Father and His son Jesus Christ, we start to feel hunger for the deeper things of Christ. After all, the more you taste Jesus, the more the world will lose its flavor. You’ll start craving him more than any other thing.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
So, we invite you to Open the Word today, Put a pen to paper and pour out our heart before God as He pours his Word back in.
“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10–11
We’ll always reap a harvest when we read the Word of Truth, and over time, we’ll have a physical record of how God, all along, was changing us.
I hope this message can encourage you in your own journey.