My friend Heather has a fascinating approach to her quiet time. She has a variety of yearly devotional books that she reads from daily. Every morning, she turns to the date in each book and reads the words of wisdom from several writers, and though the perspectives may vary, there is often a common theme. In and of itself, this practice is helpful – but Heather takes it a step further. In each of those books, she records how the words and Scriptures speak to her on that day of that year. Each year that passes therefore, not only provides Heather with the words of the authors, but also her own words. She is taken back to the struggles and victories of years past and able to recall the truths God spoke to her personally through the authors of the devotionals and her time spent with Him.
Heather has been sharing these thoughts with me for years. When I am struggling, she will often send me a photo of several of her devotionals for that day. Because she has invested time in these books, she also knows where to find specific writings to speak to my concern. The words she has read and written are no longer encouraging her heart alone, now they are encouraging mine!
Heather’s devotion to reading and writing about God’s truth has inspired and instructed my own practices. I now write similar notes and thoughts in my Bible as I am studying as well as in any book I may be reading at the time. I also love the opportunities I have to share these notes with other friends and family as they come to me with struggles of their own.
We usually think of journaling as something for ourselves, but I have discovered that it is often just as useful in encouraging others.
5 Ways Journaling Helps Us Encourage Others
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Journaling reminds me of my past thoughts.
I am always changing and growing and I have a tendency to expect others to be on the same wavelength that I am on right now. When I read my notes, I remember that I have had different thoughts in each stage of my life. How I understood life as a young wife and parent is vastly different from the way I think now that I have experienced grown children. The value in recollecting my thoughts from past seasons is to remember that the struggles I felt then were valid and real. I now have the benefit of knowing the strength that God gave me to persevere in those difficult times and to be able to comfort someone else in a season that I have lived through.
2. Journaling reminds me of how I have struggled.
I sometimes forget the struggle. Perhaps it is because I tend to be an optimist or maybe I have simply blocked the hard times, but my life has not been easy or perfect and it is important for me to remember that. It is the hardships in life that have grown me the most and if I cannot remember what was hard then I may not remember the lesson. Recalling difficulties gives me more compassion for others and also helps me to continue to walk in gratitude for the blessings I have in my life. While I should never dwell on the difficulties, remembering gives way to praise and thanksgiving and helps me to better encourage others who are struggling in similar ways.
3. Journaling reminds me of how I have grown.
There are times when I am discouraged by my lack of progress. Days, weeks, months, and even years have gone by when I feel like I am stuck in a rut. This feeling of being trapped in my own inability to move forward prompted me to create a weekly assessment for myself. For the last year, I have recorded answers to prompts like “How did I handle conflict this week?” And “What did I do this week to work toward my goal?” Journaling my responses has helped me to face the reality of places where I am truly stuck, but also to celebrate forward progress. Looking back over a year of assessment gives me the opportunity to see how I have really grown. As I have learned to look for my own progress, I am able to encourage others to do the same.
4. Journaling reminds me of the help I have received from God.
One of my favorite prompts in my weekly assessment is, “Where have I seen God at work this week?” It has become a discipline for me to look for God at work in my every day. At first, I was only able to think of a few things to write, but as I began the practice of thinking back and examining the week for “God sightings” suddenly I was able to see Him everywhere! Now, I often run out of space writing down all of the ways I see Him at work. When I read my previous notes about my struggles and difficulties and then about how God helped, strengthened, provided, protected, and was present – I can’t help but share that good news with others!
5. Journaling reminds me how others have encouraged me.
I love recalling the encouragement of others so much that I made this a prompt in my assessment – “How have other encouraged me this week?” It is so easy to feel alone in my struggles. When I record encouragement that I have received, I am able to revive my own sense of community. Written encouragement (even when it is my own words) encourages the heart over and over. When I read about how someone called, wrote a note, prayed for me, cooked a meal, gave a gift, texted – any form of encouragement – I am encouraged all over again and inspired to encourage others in the same way.
Today is the day to begin journaling. Whether you scribble notes in your Bible or start a formal journal, your practice of recording your journey is the first step in encouraging others!
“My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.”
Psalm 71:15-16