The Secret Place: Guide to Journaling

It wouldn’t be entirely right to share insight on how I journal without first sharing the backstory on how my journaling, journey began. About four years ago, after a somewhat heated altercation, I found myself standing in a Barnes and Nobles eyes swelled up with tears. There I met a young lady by the name of Crystal who ended up recommending a book that ultimately changed the trajectory of my life. Thinking back, that meeting was such a God moment, an ordained moment that I’ll never forget. At the time when we met I didn’t understand the significance of our encounter and honestly I thought her interruption, walking up to me to introduce herself was actually an inconvenience, but it was literally an answered prayer. I’ll have to share the full back story on what occurred prior and why I ended up there at that exact time and in that exact place at a later time...

So, this book was called, Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Myers. An it is powerful. It edifies the significance of meditating and declaring scripture over your life as a believer. I’m not even going to lie, that same book sat, collecting dust, for a few months after purchasing it, but one day, I don’t remember why, I opened it and I could not put it down. After finishing the book, I desired to meditate on scriptures related to the area of love. It was after reading the passage where Jesus was teaching about the greatest commandment Matthew 22:36-39.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

“Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself...”

During that time, I didn’t really have a sound understanding of love... And God’s love for me and in turn, I lacked a love and a sense of worthiness of self. Shortly after finishing the book, I bought a little gold journal and everyday after returning home from work, I would just sit on the floor of my bedroom or lay at the edge of my bed and write scriptures related to love, along with that, I would pray that the Lord would speak and reveal His love for me as well as for this world. Being consistent in doing those things ultimately shifted my relationship with God to a deeper place. Over time, I went from meditating on scripture to actually having full on conversations with the Lord; in my quiet time. In prayer, I do pray out loud, but for me personally, it’s far more easier for me to articulate and pour out my heart by writing things out, initially. After writing a scripture or prayer, we should still speak out loud.

Okay, so I’m going to share how I journal. For me it’s a sacred and intimate time with God, so I encourage that whenever you set-time aside for this; shut out the noise of the world and go to a quiet place without distraction. This place to you might look like a corner in your living room, bedroom, office or a closet.

Here are 4 Ways to Guide you in journaling:

1. Go to a quiet place, I know that some of us have to get creative with this; especially those who may be married or have little ones. But it’s important to rid yourself of all distractions including entertainment like TV or social media related things.

2. Turn up the worship music! Play your favorite Gospel/Christian artist/groups that will help lead you into the presence of God. As I’m worshiping, I also pray; as a model of prayer I use the Lord’s prayer. During worship and prayer time it’s typically the place where the Holy Spirit will place things on my heart and if that happens I write it down.

3. There are typically two ways that I journal, one way is what I like to call reflection time--It typically begins with me noting the date and writing, Dear God...Father...or Abba. I thank Him and begin pouring out gratitude. And, honestly... I share what is on my heart, full, raw and transparent, and I ask Him for his wisdom and how He sees things. I’ll also ask for guidance. Sidenote, we do not scare or intimidate God with what we come to Him with. He knows every single thing about us. Everything... and He cares about everything that concerns us. In my reflection time I also might even reflect on specific events that happened during the day. After this, I’m typically lead to a passage of scripture to meditate and to reflect on.

4. The second way that I journal is what I like to call study time, this is when I read scripture or a passage from a devotional or bible study, I ask the Holy Spirit to provide insight on how it is relevant in my life and those within my life and I write it down. Sometimes, asking is not even necessary you’re told or you’re convicted right away...

And that’s basically it yall! That’s what I do. I hope that this provides guidance in your time of journaling. Remember there is no true formula with spending time with God. Everyone’s time may look a little different depending on what works best for your space. Also, there are times that I study and It may not be as structured as the steps above because days can be like that sometimes! Or if you are a new believer it may feel a bit awkward, that’s all right. Keep moving forward and don’t beat yourself up...

One thing that I do know is this, it’s so overwhelming in the best way to look back over different seasons and to see the hand of God in your life as well as in others. Again, there is no one way to journal; however, I challenge you to make it a weekly if not daily-time to write and reflect and watch as your perspective begin to shift!

Let’s Live This Thing!

With Love,

Chalssie

Psalm 116:1

Matthew 6:9-13

Philippians 4:8