Why You Should Keep a Spiritual Journal

In this post I share how and why to keep a spiritual journal. I give practical examples and share some fun journal options. #ThrivingInChrist #journal #journaling #DailyTime #GodTime #quiettime #Christian #bibletime

In this post, I share how and why to keep a spiritual journal.

Imagine how much is being lost if you don’t record what is going on in your relationship with God. You can designate a regular or fancy notebook to record your walk with God. Viola! It’s your spiritual journal.

Imagine how much is being lost if you don't record what is going on in your relationship with God. In this post, I share how and why to keep a spiritual journal. #thrive #spiritualgrowth #journal #history #godtime #dailytime #quiettime #devotions #notebook #diary
My Journals

Your designated notebook is a place for you to chronicle what happens between you and God every day.

If you aren’t recording your walk with God, then you are cheating yourself of preserving your own spiritual history. And the rest of the world if you ever become famous and we get our hands on your notebooks. 😉

How I Keep a Spiritual Journal

In my journal, I record some of the following, depending on what is going on in my Daily Time:

  • a scripture (or two or three) that spoke to me
  • wisdom God is showing me for something
  • a plan of action for a weakness
  • my progress for the plan of action
  • a song I’m starting to write (usually gets transferred to my song writing notebook)
  • something that someone said that spoke volumes to me
  • notes from studying a topic or passage in the Bible
  • an occasion of God testing me and how I responded to it
  • direction I feel God is giving me
  • a hurt I went through and how God healed me
  • questions I’m asking God
  • something I’m praying about, with related verses
  • a revelation God gives about something
  • a specific word or direction someone feels God is having him/her share with me
  • temptations that are attacking me and my plan to respond biblically
  • a dream I had and what I think God is saying to me after praying about it
  • notes when I listen to a sermon

I also write my current One Word in the inside flap as well as the seven action steps I’m taking with my One Word.

Imagine how much is being lost if you don't record what is going on in your relationship with God. In this post, I share how and why to keep a spiritual journal. #thrive #spiritualgrowth #journal #history #godtime #dailytime #quiettime #devotions #notebook #diary

Why to Keep a Spiritual Journal

The word journal reminds me of the word journey. Your relationship with God is a spiritual journey that has eternal value.

Any time you look through old photos, emotions come to the surface. You are reminded of heart touching, funny, and memorable times with other people. I feel the same way when I flip back through my old notebooks and read what I recorded in my walk with God. I would have never remembered God’s detailed touch on my life if I hadn’t taken the time to write it down!

When I look back at my spiritual journey I receive amazing encouragement! For example:

  • I remember how God specifically worked in my life
  • I can see answers to prayer
  • Measurable growth is evident
  • I recall how God has given me direction
  • I remember what I learned from my failures
  • I EXPERIENCE God’s love for ME!

Keeping a spiritual journal brings such joy. God is real, and I love recording my relationship with Him.

Now can you imagine how much is being lost if YOU don’t record what is going on in YOUR relationship with God?

Journal Options

Any notebook will do. Or if paper isn’t your thing, then check out a digital option such as Evernote.

But here are some beautiful options (affliate links) from Amazon:

 

Journal How God is Working in Your Life

That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. Ephesians 3:16-20 ESV

I love this passage! God will do far more than you ask or think with you. Write how God moves in your life in your journal.

Imagine how much is being lost if you don't record what is going on in your relationship with God. Click To Tweet

Do you keep a journal or notebook specifically designated to record your walk with God? What do you write in it? What is your favorite type of notebook? 


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19 Comments

  1. I am admittedly sporadic in journaling and usually only do it when I’m deeply troubled by something. My spiritual history is going to look awfully depressing! Lol.

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Ha! I’m hoping you’ve been inspired to record your walk with God regularly, and write about other aspects in your relationship with God.

  2. I used to be MUCH better about keeping a daily spiritual journal, but as I’ve started blogging more, I’ve stopped writing in it as often. My blog has become a spiritual journal of sorts, but it’s definitely not the same. I should really get back into a daily journaling habit.

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Oh, you’re right about it not being the same. I almost switched to letting my blog be the journal, but then I realized I don’t blog every day and I certainly don’t post everything I’d put into my journal. I’m transparent, but not that transparent! Ha!

  3. Right on Kelly. I’ve journaled for years and love looking back on where God has taken me. All the guys I disciple, I make them journal. Some guys don’t like to journal because to them it reminds them of little girls keeping diaries. So I try to educate when I can.

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      That’s awesome to have them journal. I’m sure they appreciate it later on.

  4. I’ve journaled off and on over the years and it’s an incredible experience. Presently, I journal a bit via blog. It’s been wonderful being able to keep a record of my adventures through the Word. I’ve learned so much about God, myself, relationships and the list goes on and on.

    I just wanted to send a word of thanks to you. This was a really good post. Practical and helpful. I plan on sharing it with others.

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      It is an incredible experience. I’m glad that you journal and I appreciate the positive feedback. Glad to know it helped & thanks for sharing!

  5. I love journaling, have lots of them, but have not been in it this summer as often, this inspired me to remember the benefits of it, awesome!

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      So glad it helped! 🙂

  6. Hey Kelly… I “know” your husband from Instagram… Today I noticed he twitters, which took me to your Twitter, which brought me here!!! How awesome… I’m a fan of his photos and now I’m a fan of your blog!!!! I’ll be coming here regularly!!!!
    I’ve started 2 spiritual journals, but ended up stopping for one reason or another… Thanks for inspiring me to get back at it!!!! 🙂

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Wow, that is so cool! It’s great to meet you and I’d love to connect with you on twitter! Please @ reply me and I’ll follow. 🙂

  7. Writing from the UK and just had to say Hi to you Kelly and everyone else. I’ve been led here from The Women in Worship site – isn’t it amazing when the Lord determines where we go online!? I’m so inspired by this article amongst many others but particularly this one to journal more. I came to Christ in the last 12 months after 30 something years of mostly being disobedient and my love for our wonderful father is growing by the day. I am hungry to be more creative having uncovered a psalmists heart and passion for writing, whether that be songs, poems or just getting on paper my testimonies. Anyway I just had to say your beauty is just shining through your writing and I look forward to reading more when I can. Be blessed.
    Emma

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Thank you so much Emma! It’s nice to “meet” you and glad to have you join the community here! 🙂

  8. Loved the blog about journaling which has been my “rabbit trail” for today. I do journal as I gather ideas for my post here: https://www.facebook.com/bible.org which I do every day as we read through the NT, Psalms and Proverbs. Your ideas are helpful and have given me some direction.

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