Journaling For Christians: How To Get Started

In a busy world, it can be easy to find your connection to your faith slipping away. Finding time to reflect on your thoughts can be a challenge. Journaling is a simple way to embrace faith.

But what is journaling? How do I start? What do I need and why should I make this my new habit? Let’s answer all of these questions in this article and give you an easy to follow roadmap to get started in Bible journaling!

What Is Journaling?

Journaling is the simple practice of recording your thoughts regularly and reflecting on them, to grow as a person and strengthen your faith. It’s like keeping a diary, but just about your relationship with Christ. Every day, week, or simply as often as you can, take 5-10 minutes to reflect on what’s happened in your life, what’s been a source of stress and anxiety, and how God has helped you through tough times.

Why Should You Journal?

The benefits of journaling are plenty, but in short it’s a vehicle to becoming a better Christian and a better person for your friends and family.

Here are the top 4 reasons why journaling would be beneficial to you:

Increase Mental Clarity

“Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” - Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Writing down your thoughts at the end of the day can be a calming exercise that helps declutter the mind and reduce stress. Journaling is a great way to reinforce positive thoughts and expel negative ones, so you don’t feel the weight of your troubles building up day after day. This will leave you with more mental space to focus on what’s important to you.

Discover Your True Self

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete” - James 1:4 (NIV)

It’s so easy to go through life on autopilot, just reacting to whatever happens to you. Keeping a journal helps you reflect on your actions and feelings day to day, to better understand how certain situations might cause you to behave. This helps you become proactive, and able to take things in your stride, allowing you to better live your life following the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Track Your Development

“Let he who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” - John 8:7 (NIV)

We are all imperfect, and all of us are on a constant journey to be better followers of Christ. Keeping a journal allows you to go back to moments in your life where things went wrong, or lessons were learned, and remember how your trust in the Lord allowed you to overcome adversity and grow into a better person.

Connect With God

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” - 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Last, but certainly not least, journaling is a brilliant way to connect with God and embrace His love. You can record daily prayers, worries or challenges and how your faith and scripture have helped you overcome them and grow into a better person with the help of Jesus Christ.

How To Start Journaling

A Journal You’ll Love

The best way to keep up your new habit of journaling regularly is to have a journal you can’t help but pick up and write in. If your journal is an eye-catching work of art, you’ll want to go to it every evening and write all your thoughts down in a healthy, positive manner.

Our Hosanna Revival notebooks are a perfect marriage of faith and beauty, while our journals from DaySpring and Christian Art Gifts feature your favourite verses that keep your faith grounded every time.

Become Inspired

Nothing is quite as daunting as a blank sheet of paper. Where do I start? What should I write about? How do I even begin to describe my relationship with God? Well, if you don’t want to start with the biggest stress of your day, why not start with a perpetual calendar or promise box? These give you daily Bible verses or promises from God that you can write your thoughts on or relate back to your current situation to deepen your connection with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Complete Your Set

Why not make journaling a fun habit that makes you feel proud and relaxed? Why not pair your beautiful journal with an inspirational pen or pencil to channel the whirlwind of the day’s activities onto the paper in front of you. Or maybe you’re reading this and thinking of a loved one who would be really grateful to be gifted a stunning journal and a lovely pen would make that gift perfect. Either way, a small bit of Christian stationery has the chance to make a big impact.

All In One Place

Journaling doesn’t have to start with a blank canvas. Sometimes the perfect inspiration is the right Bible verse. Journaling Bibles are there for you to reflect on scripture and deepen your understanding of God, and how he relates to your life and problems. Notetaking Bibles serve as a memento of your interpretation of scripture and your relationship with the Lord at a point in your life so you can look back on your growth and the development of your faith.

So there you have it. A quick and easy guide to journaling, and how it can deepen your connection with God. Why not bookmark this page so you can come back to it whenever you feel demotivated with your new habit, or you’re looking for a flash of inspiration?