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Why Journaling with God isn’t Just for Fun

By Bonnie Gray • February 4, 2015 • 3 Comments

Think writing is just for fun? Writing is real soul food that refreshes our hearts, health & our stories!

Research shows writing heals our soul & increases happiness. even in just 15 minutes. When we intentionally journal our hearts with Jesus, we invite Jesus into the intimacy of our journey.

When we take the time to stop and journal with God, He touches and heals us with His voice — as we confide in everything we feel & experience unguarded — whether it’s pure, unfiltered happiness for what others might think is insignificant, or voicing all the questions and fears and stories that no one else would understand. Except Jesus.

[Week#3 #spiritualwhitespacechallenge ] Journal. Confide. Let God in.

[ DAILY WORD CROISSANT ] When you said, “Seek my face”, my heart said to you, “Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.” ps 27:8

[ WHY ENJOY THIS CUP OF REST?] Here are two reasons to inspire you!

1) Research shows the power of writing your personal story can lead to behavioral changes and improve happiness. When we journal our stories with God, we give Him space to re-write our stories with us. Don’t you get ah-ha moments as you write?

Here’s the NY times article with the research! http://bit.ly/writinghappiness

2) Just 15-20 minutes of journaling makes a difference! Research shows expressive writing just three or four times in the course of four months makes a difference in emotional & physical well-being (improving mood, lowering stress levels and depressive symptoms).

Here’s a 2nd article on the health benefits to writing! http://bit.ly/writinghealthy

Yes, you can do this, friends! I’m officially giving you *permission to sample* this shots of rest on #WhitespaceWednesday.

[THE SUPER COOL THING?] Today’s photo comes to us Tanzania!! from Abigail English teacher living in Dar es Salaam, who shared her#spiritualwhitespace moment on Instagramhttp://instagram.com/p/o2QnlMH3vV/. Thanks also to #soulrestbookclub ber Krista Sprankle Forever 31 Mama for sharing the NY Times article by tagging with #spiritualwhitspace !

#soulrestbookclub articles sharing research:

Writing Your Way to Happiness   NYTimes.com
bit.ly/writinghappy

Science Shows Something Surprising About People Who Love to Write   Mic
bit.ly/writinghealthy

Okay, go forth, journal and est, sweet kindreds!

[SHARE] Do you enjoy journaling?

** Who can you share today’s encouragement with? **
~~~~~

Pull up a chair.  Click to comment.  

* Who can you share this encouragement with today? *

Sweet kindreds, you make me brave.  Thank you for hosting in-person Spiritual Whitespace Book Club gatherings.  Hundreds are enjoying face-to-face conversations in homes & coffee shops around the world.  Thank you for joining the online book club on my Facebook Page. Thousands are participating! God is doing something soul amazing thru you! Keep inviting friends to join. God is speaking rest into our stories.

Featured image thanks to @abigail_613 from Tanzania who shared her #spiritualwhitespace with us.

 

~~~~~

FindingSpiritualWhitespace_BookDaySpring{ Today’s post is part of my online Spiritual Whitespace {Face}Book Club. It’s free! You can join anytime by liking my Facebook Page. Order a copy of the book and grab a journal! Find out more & read about it here https://www.thebonniegray.com/bookclub }

{this week’s #soulrestbookclub reading: Chapt2 “Wallpapered Memories” & Chapt 3 “Toy Store” and journal your answers. Underline quotes that speak to you. We’ll share tomorrow 2/5.}

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Welcome to Faith Barista – a blog that serves up shots of faith for everyday life. Posts brewed hot & fresh. Hang out. Swap some stories.

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3 Comments

  • Reply Ellen Chauvin February 5, 2015 at 10:38 am

    Love journaling! I can’t NOT journal! And of course, I love the pretty journals that I write in! So enjoying this series Bonnie!

  • Reply Nancy Ruegg February 5, 2015 at 11:42 am

    I, too, find great benefit from introspective writing, as I review God’s truth, renew my faith, and refresh my outlook on the circumstances of my life. And those Ah-Ha Moments are downright invigorating! I love discovering new insights about God, his Word, and his ways. What I didn’t know was that research affirms the value of journaling. Thank you, Bonnie!

  • Reply Esther February 8, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    Journal.
    Confide.
    Let God in.
    I have several battered spiral notebooks and many bound book journals that reflect my heart in my walk through life. Indeed He touches and heals as we confide everything we feel and think unguarded. I think in retrospect, that in so doing some of life’s blows were softened by the comfort of friendship with Jesus. I find that the space to rewrite my stories often comes as I go back and reread past entries, rather than at the time. Then I am reminded anew of His faithfulness throughout all my messily, glorious days.

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