5 Ways Journaling Helps Me Encourage Others

by wendy | Apr 1, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Tips for Encouraging Others

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

1. 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

Do the Work of Encouragement

by wendy | Mar 25, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Tips for Encouraging Others

Some of my favorite social media posts lately have been those of the teachers and pastors reaching out to their students and congregations. Their efforts have been nothing short of creative and passionate. Two kindergarten teachers I know (I taught them in elementary school!) have created a facebook group where they post throughout the day to their students and families. Another elementary school teacher friend is mailing letters to her students and asking them to be “pen pals” with her. The pastors are going live with encouraging messages and reminders and even holding meetings in the parking lots where people can worship from the safety of their cars. The best part of all of this? Each of these people are including the rest of us in their encouragement.

“Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service.”

Ephesians 4:11

Teachers and pastors are not excited about the opportunity of taking a vacation during this crisis because they understand their purpose is to equip the people. Purpose doesn’t stop in the face of a pandemic – instead it pushes back until it finds a way. We are not all pastors and teachers, but we can (and should) all be encouragers. The purpose of an encourager is to give courage – and it is time to get to work!

“Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged for the LORD God, my God, is with you.”

1 Chronicles 28:20

We understand that teachers and pastors have a specific group of people that are within their sphere of influence, but we should remember that we all have influence. Take some time today to think about who your people are. Begin with your family and list the names of those you can encourage. Don’t stop at those that live in your house but continue on to include extended family as well. Neighbors, co-workers, fellow church-members – each of the groups that you are involved with in your regular life – these are the people whose lives you touch.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” 

Colossians 3:23

There are many ideas floating around right now for encouragement. Whether you encourage on social media, write letters, paint pictures, deliver meals, or simply smile at the people you see at a safe distance – God sees your heart and it matters to him. This is the work right now – this is our purpose. Set it in your heart to do the work of an encourager and get to it!

Here are some ideas for being an encourager today:

• Send a note (I will probably say this one every time!) -Pick someone from your Christmas card list or someone in your small group. It doesn’t matter if it is on plain paper or a cute card and it doesn’t even need to include a lot of words – just letting someone know you are thinking of them will go a long way!
• Call someone -Jerry and I are using our church directory to check on a few people each day. You may want to check on extended family members or even your co-workers. If no one answers leave a message. The sound of your voice will brighten their day.
• Do a service for someone – Does your neighbor need their mailbox fixed or a garden weeded? Can you clean out the gutters for a family member? Offer to pick up something from the store or run an errand for someone who can’t (or shouldn’t) get out.
• Post an encouraging scripture – Share a verse from your morning devotional or a thought you heard from an online pastor. If the verse had an impact on you then it probably will for someone else.
• Text or message – Think about those who do a regular service for you – dental hygienist, hair stylist, mail carrier, pastor, teacher, doctor, personal trainer, shop owner – I could go on and on. Whether they are currently working or not, they could use some encouragement. Send a text, a message, an email to let them know you are thinking about them and you miss seeing them.
• Share your happy moments and the beauty of your day – I love the photos of sunsets, flowers blooming, cute pets, and art projects. Each one of these makes me smile and lifts my spirits. Let’s keep sharing what makes our day happy!

This verse from Ephesians continues to encourage me to do the work of encouragement – may it spur you on as well!

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Ephesians 4:16