Journaling--an "Option for Honesty" and a "Pathway for Joy"

 Recently I read how David wrote many of his Psalms like "journal entries that express a myriad of raw, honest emotion before God," and how it is "a powerful tool for processing emotions."

The author had the following thoughts.

1. Journaling Is an Option for Honesty

"Journaling has been immensely valuable in my spiritual life because it allows me to coherently engage and explain my emotions in a controlled, “judgment-free” zone... Eventually, those pent up emotions can lead to dissatisfaction with God and frustration in ministry. Journaling aerates the soul before God... unclutters my thoughts and puts the brakes on my racing mind."

2. Journaling Is a Chronicle of Faithfulness

"Periodically, I’ll pick up my journal not to write but to read. As I flip through the entries, my eyes pass over many green, highlighted sentences — the prayers which God has answered. Re-reading those prayers, I’m quickly reminded of the concreteness of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Mathis writes:

“[God] made our minds such that we’re able to take thoughts further, and do so in greater detail, than our short-term memory can keep track of in the moment. When we write, we not only disentangle our thoughts, draw out our emotions, and dream about fresh initiatives, but we also develop them.”

So these hand-written letters help me not only to form my thoughts but also to record them. When I look back on my journals, the entries fill my mind with a panoramic view of God’s continued grace on me and those around me. Every time I see a green highlight, it nourishes my soul by reminding me to “forget not all his benefits” (Psalms 103:2)."

3. Journaling Ventilates the Soul

"When keeping our nose to the grindstone of ministry, we can often lose our tender affections for the Lord. Pondering God’s faithfulness and journaling his deeds reminds us that we are sons and daughters, not employees. Mathis is right when he says, 'Journaling is not just an exercise in introspection, but a pathway for joy.'

Journaling reinvigorates our joy, our love, and our drive to serve to the praise of God’s glory. It scrubs away the dust on our affections. It ushers in fresh views of God’s mercy.

Journaling is not commanded, but it is encouraged... God may use journaling as a means of opening a window to your soul, allowing the fresh air of his grace to ventilate stale affections and renew your passion to serve him, both in the traumas and triumphs of life."

these thoughts by Ernest Grant on desiringgod.org.