Journaling is a type of therapy. It helps us process our thoughts and what we are walking through in a particular season. And it’s always great to look back and see what was happening and the things the Lord taught us.
So I’m letting you peek into my personal journal for twenty thoughts I hope encourage you and bring life to your soul. Some thoughts the Lord gave me in the past, but are helpful now. While others are fresh inspiration from the Lord.
Wholeness And Forgiveness
(1.) If people add injury to my pain, they are broken people in need of wholeness from Christ. Broken people break people. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” Psalm 147:3 ESV.
(2.) I must cling to the only sure hope in the darkness. Jesus. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” John 1:5 ESV.
(3.) Lord, place the cross and the blood of Jesus between me and the enemy, and between me and difficult people and circumstances. There’s nothing Your redemptive blood doesn’t cover. And there’s nothing it can’t redeem.
(4.) When we refuse to forgive others or even ourselves, we are limiting God. We are saying He’s not able to give us supernatural ability to forgive. We are putting ourselves as a god above the God who is so loving, so merciful, and so kind that every time we repent, He gladly forgives.
If people add injury to my pain, they are broken people in need of wholeness from Christ. Broken people break people. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” Psalm 147:3 ESV. #journal #broken @FridayKaren Click To TweetNew Mercies And Promises
(5.) I’m so thankful for the power of prayer: that mountains still move, seas still part, mana still rains from heaven, and because God can raise the dead, ashes turn to beauty again.
(6.) Even if the world seems to stop spinning. Even if dark clouds seem to hijack sunny days. And even if life seems void of another sunrise or sunset. The Son holds the world and me in His hands (Psalm 95:4). The Son shines His face on me and gives me peace (Numbers 6:25:-26). And the Son rises with healing in His wings and with new mercies every morning (Malachi 4:4, Lamentations 3:22-23).
(7.) Lord, I know all your promises are “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ. So help me trust that there are countless and hearty yeses and the loudest Amens at the end of this path (2 Corinthians 1:20).
(8.) God IS a good, good Father and I am confident goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6). Lord, as I walk through a valley, help me to turn and see the footprints of goodness and mercy behind me every step of the way.
Strength And Restoration
(9.) The Lord is my strength, my song, my salvation. The LORD is a Warrior! MY warrior! (Exodus 15:2-3).
(10.) Lord, I’m claiming a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit, that You may be glorified (Isaiah 61:3).
(11.) In Joel 2:25, the Lord promised to restore the years the locusts had eaten. And if you know the total, devastating damage caused by locusts. And how they consume everything in their path…any form of life and vegetation. If God can restore that kind of damage and death and nothingness back to life and wholeness…He can do it in my life.
(12.) I am loved. I am chosen. And I am redeemed. I am free.
Grace And Open Arms
(13.) Romans 12:1-2 calls for me not to be conformed to this world. Instead, I’m called to offer myself as a living sacrifice. But it’s hard to be a living sacrifice when I keep crawling off the altar of God’s holiness.
(14.) Whether it’s hard circumstances, unfulfilled dreams, strength for new things, or hope for the future: God is faithful as God. God is faithful to His callings on my life. God is faithful to me. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10:23 ESV.
(15.) Rules never saved anyone. Rule-keeping never provided grace. But the blood of Jesus covers my sins and provides amazing grace…saving grace! It’s not about rule-keeping, but obeying the Almighty God and His Word.
(16.) God’s always waiting with open arms. There’s no better, safer, or stronger arms than the arms of the Almighty.
Romans 12:1-2 calls for me not to be conformed to this world. Instead, I’m called to offer myself as a living sacrifice. But it’s hard to be a living sacrifice when I keep crawling off the #altar of God’s holiness. @FridayKaren Click To TweetBattles And Victory
(17.) The Christian life isn’t about “arriving” as if there’s nothing more to learn or overcome. It’s about arriving to a better place—a stronger place as a believer.
(18.) God steps into my mess as soon as I decide to step out.
(19.) I stand as victor because Christ was victorious.
(20.) In a spiritual battle, the enemy holds no power over me. Satan is not God’s equal, he is powerless before the Almighty who fights for me.
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Linkup is open, share your blog! @FridayKaren lets us peek into her journal for thoughts about wholeness, forgiveness, God's mercies and promises, valley journeys, and grace. #blog #journaling Click To Tweet
These are all so good and meaty and truth-based. I especially like #17: “The Christian life isn’t about ‘arriving’ as if there’s nothing more to learn or overcome. It’s about arriving to a better place—a stronger place as a believer.”
Thank you, Barbara. It’s all about spiritual growth in Jesus and being a student of the Word daily! God bless!
Thank you, Karen, for this peek into the spiritual practice that is forming your faith. I have had occasion this year to go back into some old journals, and found it to be so eye opening as to the journey God has put me on.
Blessings to you as you continue yours!
MIchele, I like this phrasing, “the spiritual practice that is forming your faith.” I enjoy looking back at old journals, too. Blessings to you!
I especially liked #15! He is faithful!
Yes, He is Bethany! “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10:23 ESV.
Karen, journaling is a wonderful way to be still and know God. Thank you for sharing your pearls.
It truly is, Debbie. It quiets my soul and sharpens my focus on God.
Thank you for sharing these journal thoughts – they’re beautiful. #14 resonated with me deeply – no matter where we find ourselves, God is faithful!
Thank you, Melissa. And, yes, we serve a faithful God.
God is faithful as God. God is faithful to His callings on my life. God is faithful to me.
Thanks for this powerful list, Karen. #4 hits home with me, especially since I haven’t felt like my “best” self of late. 🙂 “When we refuse to forgive others or even ourselves, we are limiting God. “
Lisa, the Lord has taught me so much about forgiveness over the last several years. We have the power to both receive and extend forgiveness in Christ.
These are beautiful, soul-lifting thoughts, Karen! Thank you for sharing with us!
Glad they encouraged you, Carlie. Blessings!
The Christian life is not about arriving – I remember when I received that revelation!
Thanks for sharing.
Hey Nylse, glad that one resonated in your spirit some time ago. Wonderful!
Wholeness, strength, restoration, battles, victory- all words associated with physical as well as mental and spiritual health. Optimal health is perhaps achieving balance in all areas, what we most strive for. I love that “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” in all areas of life.
Good insight, Aletha. Those do all associate with every area of our wellness and wholeness in Christ. Sometimes we forget the Lord created us with body, soul, and spirit. He wants us whole in all three!
Love this, Karen! #8 has been my mantra since the beginning of 2019. I am clinging to it even more closely in 2020.
Jerralea, your mantra is a big one for me. I’ve always clung to Psalm 23:6. But especially this year as I walked through a dark valley the first 3-4 months of 2020 and now with the pandemic, it’s comforting to know God is with us and He is good.
Who would have thought that someone else’s journal would speak to me! Thank you.
Grateful this spoke to you, Lauren.
Lord, we’re claiming a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit, that You may be glorified (Isaiah 61:3).