I realize that you may have read the title of this post and immediately found yourself wondering if journaling is in fact a spiritual discipline. If this is you, I’m going to ask you to hang with me.
Recall that early on we discussed the fact that anything can be called a spiritual discipline. At the same time, we concluded that simply calling something a spiritual discipline doesn’t necessarily make it so.
From that point, we determined that before we labeled anything a spiritual discipline, we would first give it a test – Do we find it in the Bible? Did Jesus model it or teach it?
Let’s begin there.
Journaling Defined
Just as we found with the discipline of worship, we find no actual definition of journaling anywhere in Scripture.
So, we will use a dictionary definition and work from there.
Used as a verb, the word journal means to keep a personal account or to record one’s thoughts, experiences, observations, and such. This recording is generally done for the purpose of reflection, self-examination, or the keeping of memories.
Of course, from this definition one does not need to be a Christian to journal.
Our next step, then, is to consider journaling from a Christian viewpoint.
For Christians, your journal can still be that best friend. Certainly, many non-Christians see their journals as a confidant, but what can make Christian journaling unique is that we have a spiritual focus others do not. Kathy Bornarth, M.A., LPC
As a Christian, your journal is a place to record the works and ways of God in your life. Your journal also can include an account of daily events, a diary of personal relationships, a notebook of insights into Scripture, and a list of prayer requests. It is where spontaneous devotional thoughts or lengthy theological musings can be preserved. A journal is one of the best places for charting your progress in the other Spiritual Disciplines and for holding yourself accountable to your goals. Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Christian journaling is the intentional recording of thoughts, prayers, reflections, and personal experiences in a written format as a means to grow closer to God, anchor one’s faith in Scripture, and promote spiritual maturity. Bible Hub
Journaling is a powerful way to see God’s goodness and reveal His glory. Kyra Riley
Journaling in the Bible
Admittedly, the word journaling does not appear in the Bible. However, there are many examples of something extremely similar recorded on its pages. For instance, in the books of Psalms we see King David pouring out his heart and soul to God, and it is all recorded on scrolls with a writing instrument.
In fact, from the beginning, our spiritual history has rested on God’s written word. God spoke, and man wrote. I have not actually taken the time to count it myself, but I have heard that the words “Write this,” “Write down,” or “Write” can be found approximately 166 times in the Bible.
Following is just a sample of passages where the command to write can be found.
Revelation 21:5—He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Exodus 17:14—Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it.”
Habakkuk 2:2—Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.”
Exodus 34:27—The Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”
Deuteronomy 31:19—Now write down this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it.
Not only does God command us to write, but He provides us with the why.
Why write? Writing…
- solidifies God’s words in our soul (Revelation 21:5).
- makes the words of God more like to be remembered (Exodus 17:4).
- causes God’s words to be more easily shared (Habakkuk 2:2).
- indicates our commitment to action or follow through (Exodus 34:27).
- puts information in a form for teaching and self-study (Deuteronomy 31:19).
One Final Thought
Throughout history, since the time mankind began to write, people have written about the things that are most important to them. This includes Christians who have been recording their thoughts and reflections and questions and observations about the things of God. Thus, we can reason that Christians have been journaling for centuries.
Of course, Christians don’t have to journal. Jesus did not come as man, live, die, and be resurrected so that we would journal. Nor is journaling a direct outgrowth of the gospel like prayer, Bible reading, and many of the other spiritual disciplines.
However, journaling does pass our test for determining whether something is or is not a spiritual discipline. We do find its bones in the pages of Scripture. Likewise, journaling is a wonderful tool for spending time with God and growing more into the likeness of Christ as we use it to think more deeply on God’s word and His work.
