Do you journal? Have you ever wondered what journaling really is? How it helps individuals in their lives? There are so many different forms of journaling, for example:
The Blank Notebook Journal: If you genuinely feel inspired to write, a blank notebook journal is perfect! It’s like a small safe space that fits in your bag and you can enter it whenever you want and share what’s on your mind.
Reading Journal: Keeping a reading journal is an excellent way to analyze the book you’re reading. You can use it to write down thoughts about the chapters that resonated with you or to keep quotes you’d like to remember.
Pocket Journal: A pocket journal is a very small notebook that, obviously—fits your pocket. It’s there for you anytime you need it.
Gratitude Journal: A positive little something you can do to improve your overall attitude towards life. Pick a time of day to make time (notice I didn’t say waiting for extra time to appear!) for your gratitude journal. Maybe it’s first thing in the morning, during your lunch break. Choose whatever works best for you! 15 minutes per day, at least three times per week. Studies suggest that writing in a gratitude journal three times per week may actually have a greater impact on our happiness than journaling every day.
In this article we will be focusing on Gratitude journaling and how we can apply this into our lives and perhaps even applying scripture into your journaling. Watch and see how spending time each day praising the Lord and celebrating His faithfulness will bring joy to your weary spirit and ignite hope deep with your soul.
GRATITUDE JOURNALING BENEFITS:
- Improves mental health;
- Helps you keep your focus on what’s positive (even when you’re going through a rough period);
- Reduces stress and anxiety as it helps you shift your attention to the good things;
- Helps you improve relationships, as it helps you become more empathetic;
WHO’S IT BEST FOR?
- Those who want to feel better, be happier, and have a positive attitude;
- Those who’d like to keep a journal, but don’t have time for extensive writing.
Taking a step further:
Starting a Christian gratitude journal can help you:
- Focus on God, not your circumstances.
- Be thankful for God’s character and steadfast love
- Live humble
- Seek God in all things
- Reflect on God’s faithfulness and remember how He’s provided in the past.
Journaling can be done by writing it down, voice to text, even through meditation. The following are prompts to help guide you through your journaling journey.
Gratitude Journal Prompts
- Sit in a quiet place. Close your eyes. Slow your breathing. Notice your breath and how your body feels. What about your physical body are you thanking God for and why? Praise God for creating you in His image. You ARE fearfully and wonderfully made. Once you have taken this moment record your thoughts, give thanks to the Lord.
- Look out your window. What do you see outside that you are grateful to see or to have? Thank God for the amazing world He created. Take a look around you. What are the most basic, everyday things you don’t think about? It could be a chair, clean water, or clothing. Write why you are thankful God blessed you with those necessities and how God provides in small ways in your life.
- Have you ever walked through a season of hardship? How did God show you hope and comfort during that time? Reflect on your experience below and praise God for His hope.
And some more simple suggestions would be:
- What was the best part of your day today? What are you grateful for in this moment?
- What was the last act of kindness that was done for you? How did it impact you and why are you grateful for it?
- When is the last time you laughed really hard? Describe the situation, or what has made you smile in the last day? Give thanks for these moments.
- What makes you happy first thing in the morning? (a hug from your spouse, your favorite song playing on the radio, the quiet before anybody else wakes up, a hot cup of coffee in your favorite mug, watching the sunrise, cuddling with your dog or cat?
Scripture says that we should be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), a gratitude journal can help. My hope for these prompts is to help you along your journaling process. Remember that in all circumstances good and bad, the Lord is always with us… He has a plan for us and always be grateful in every moment.
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