We frequently suggest that our clients try journaling to help expedite their healing process.
They don’t always react positively. More than a few of them have gotten the “green-around-the-gills” look of someone who is about to upchuck.
After stuttering and stammering, they mumble something about not being much of a writer and never knowing what to write. With a little instruction, however, most of them do eventually find it to be an extremely helpful exercise.
WHAT IS THE POINT OF JOURNALING?
- Journaling helps you pull together and add clarity to the vague ideas that are floating around in your brain.
- It helps you focus on the issue at hand and reduces the intrusive thoughts that can derail normal thinking processes.
- Writing engages our creative, intuitive right-brain. Since most problem solving is generally done only from a left-brain analytical perspective, activating both sides of the brain helps you solve problems and see options that were previously hidden from your view.
- The process reduces stress and the intensity of painful memories and emotions. Many researchers believe regular journaling provides a number of benefits to your physical well-being, as well.
- Your journal can become a safe sanctuary. It is for your eyes and benefit only. This is the one place you don’t need to worry about sentence structure, spelling, punctuation or penmanship. You can express your anger, your sadness, your dreams, without fear of criticism.
WHAT WOULD I WRITE ABOUT?
- Journaling may feel awkward at first, but it is definitely one of those things that gets easier with practice. Try spending just 15-20 minutes a day writing about the feelings and frustrations you have experienced during the last 24 hours. Write about the things that made you mad, sad or scared. Talk about the disappointments and injustices in your life. Write about your blessings and the things you are grateful for.
For even more ideas, check out the book of Psalms. David was an awesome journaler. Time after time he starts out a chapter ranting and raving and, as he writes, you see his thinking morph into praise and thanksgiving, as he processes what he is feeling.
We encourage you to pour out your heart on the page, like David did, and invite God to guide your thinking.
TODAY’S CHAT – Are you already a journaler? Please consider sharing what it’s done for you in the comment area below. Your experience may help someone give it a try for the very first time.
“Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.” — 1 Corinthians 8:2-3
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