What NOT to Journal!

Cracking open my fresh journal this January was exciting! I bought a simple 5 Subject Notebook with folder inserts and got busy in it. I have received emails from a few of you that you are starting journaling also this year! That's exciting and I know that you will reap benefits beyond what you can imagine from this tool (and don't be discourged if you missed a few days - just keep at it - it will grow on you!).

So there is one thing that you never ever want to journal and if you are starting new you may find yourself tempted in this area. Many moons ago, I used to journal to God complete stories of a bad situation that would have happened - like something mean someone said to me and how I felt about it or I'd have a long pity party - yuck - rereading those entries is no fun! Stuff that should be long forgotten and more importantly forgiven comes flooding back to my mind as fresh as the day the wounds were made. These journal entries litter my journal and need torn out and thrown away!

I have learned that if my husband and I squabble - the details should not be included in that days entry - I may write "Keith and I disagreed over ... ." But I leave it without emotion for two reasons: 1) someone may read these journals someday - like a child of mine, and 2)Because once we hug, kiss and make up - the subject should be dropped. I would not like it if my husband was journaling all my mistakes! This goes for children too!

Part of forgiving and forgetting in life is not allowing your mind to replay those words that sting. For some, you may think of journaling as a way to get all your bottled up emotions out - but I find it better when I'm really troubled to sit and write one verse after another after another until my heart is lifted. I know when I flip to a page that has verse after verse written over and over that something was going on that upset me and I was laying those emotions at Jesus' feet and allowing him to hold me and comfort me.

So, as you start a new year - remember that words that are written can be reread. Leave the bitterness and ugliness your heart sometimes feels out! And if you must write - tear it out and toss it when you are done!

Colossians 3:13 says "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Obey this command and you will live well in 2009!

Walk With the King!

Courtney

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/