Podcast Episode 098 - How to practice the presence of God – the journaling connection
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Have you ever been praying, and your mind starts wandering? Yea, me too!
Do you want to grow closer to God?
Have you ever forgotten how God came through for you in the past and worried He won’t this time?
We’re continuing our series on practicing the presence of God so you can not just know about God, but you can experience Him on a deep and intimate level.
So today is for you:
If you want to add to your tool belt to practice God’s presence.
If you need help corralling your mind to the present moment.
If you deeply desire to know God, not just about Him.
Journaling is a fantastic way to connect deeply with God.
King David was a master journaler. Did you know that? Think about the book of Psalms.
I love that David wasn’t afraid to share the good, the bad, and the ugly. But he didn’t stop there. He also celebrated and praised God for his faithfulness and goodness.
God said David was a man after His own heart. I know God didn’t say that because David was perfect. Far from it…hello Bathsheba. But David was always honest and open with God–as we can see in the Psalms.
Three ways you can use journaling to grow your relationship with God:
1. Journal your prayers
Share your heart’s desires through journaling them to God.
Dear God…
2. Journal your moments
Share your beautiful moments with God too. Celebrate together.
3. Journal your hurts to healing
Keep pouring out your hurt onto paper until the healing starts to pour out too.
Tips for journaling:
1. You don’t have to journal every day.
This is a guilt-free zone here.
Journaling only when you need it is just fine if that’s the way you work.
2. Keep journaling past the anger, anxiousness or angst until you start feeling peace.
3. Don’t worry about grammar or spelling.
Journaling is for you and your Heavenly Father alone.
And He’s not judging you, so let it go.
If you want to learn more about journaling, my friend Jackie Trottmann has a fabulous self-study course on journaling for only $47. You can also go through her class live for only $97.
Bonus–you get her Be Present with God course – Four Spiritual Practices.
Jackie is who I learned Lectio Divina through and grew in my journaling skills.