Let's start today and move forward through this journey. Though journaling is best as a lifelong project, for our purposes here, we will start with a 40-day journey. Just a Christ spent 40 days after his baptism, we will spend 40 days in personal growth. At the end of this 40 days, you should be much closer to God, a more spiritually grown person.
I am reposting Day One here to make it easier to find.
DAY ONE
No one can fully tell you what you need for spiritual growth. Only you know what relationship you have with God at any time. You know what is "between you" and God. True, people can guide you in your search, but ultimately, it is YOU who is able to connect with God on your level and grow in the way you need to.
Journaling is one way to get in touch with yourself. Journaling is where you can be honest, with yourself and with God. Journaling is a very personal activity, just like spiritual growth is. Through journaling, you can truthfully look at your relationship with God and look at what is missing.
Just because you know what is missing, or maybe only that something is missing, doesn't mean you know how to fix it. That is where a journaling tutor can help. You need to know what to look at in depth, based on your needs. But, the bottom line is that it is your responsibility to look at what you need.
Prayer is a big part of building a relationship with God. Begin each journaling session with a prayer that God, through the Holy Spirit, will guide you in the way you need to go.
Sometimes journaling involves looking at something that is coming between you and your relationship with God. You need to look at that in depth. That is the crux of our journaling assignment today. You have to deal with what is preventing your relationship with God.
Journaling Assignment: Today, begin to just write as if you are talking to God, ie. "God, today I know that my relationship is not what I want it to be. I don't know exactly what the problem is, but help me, God, to look honestly at it. I know if have been caught up in dealing with _______." You fill in what that something is. Then, write all about that thing. Look at what you can do about it, what you can't, and purpose to let that part go. Do what you can, turn the other over to God, and let the interruption go. Write in depth to God about how that thing hurts, worries, or is so important. Then, write about how you can turn that over to God, doing what you can about the situation. You are not doing anything about it, just telling God what you can do. Don't forget to pray before journaling, then pray again at the end to turn it over to God and ask for his strength to go forward.
Coming soon: Book and study course on Journaling Through Spiritual Growth. Leave a comment if you want to be included on the list to be notified when it releases.
I wish to add a scripture reading to Day One, as I will each day.
Day one scripture(s):
Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version, ©2010)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
2 Corinthians 13:5 (New International Version, ©2010)
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
Coming soon: Book and study course on Journaling Through Spiritual Growth. Leave a comment if you want to be included on the list to be notified when it releases.
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