The Bible is full of promises, precepts and descriptors. When you read one, stop and journal it.
JOURNALING SCRIPTURE’S PROMISES
When I read something in the Bible that I do not believe, it’s like stepping in a spiritual pothole. My knee buckles under me. Sure, I can read on like I didn’t trip, but how much better to pause and ask God about it? I use my journal to uncover my hang-ups, then let God correct me and heal me.
When I read promises like, “He restores my soul,” (Ps 23) or “The peace that transcends understanding will guard your hearts and minds” (Phil 4) or “You will not be tempted beyond what you can bear” (1 Cor 10), I pause and ask myself, “Self, do I believe this promise?” When the answer is yes, I believe it, I write a rejoicing entry spelling out my gratitude. When the answer is no, I do not believe it, I stop and pray like the dad in Mark 9, “Lord, help my unbelief!” And the Lord helps. It’s like He was waiting to be asked.
As I write, memories pour in. God reminds me of lines from past sermons, song lyrics, Bible stories, encouragements from friends and recollections of His faithfulness. He also gently reminds me of hard things I have seen, heard or experienced that hold me back from living in His promises. Together, we whittle down my doubts to the plainest statement of unbelief, then debunk the lies. As I surrender, God breaks off hurts and fears and lofty opinions that have held me back from trusting His great and precious promises.
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JOURNALING DESCRIPTIVE VERSES
I follow the same process when I read descriptive verses.
Descriptive verses state what we already are just because God says so. For instance, apart from your own efforts, regardless of success or failure, God says in His unchangeable Word that you are His child, His temple, His workmanship and His delight. You are worth more than many sparrows. You are a sheep worth searching for. These traits do not depend on our actions, they describe every redeemed soul.
When I come across a descriptive verse, I stop and write it out in my journal, then check my belief. Again, if I believe it, I write out my gratitude. If I don’t, I ask God about it.
- “God, why don’t’ I see myself as “white as snow”? (Is 1:18)
- Why don’t I feel “free indeed” right now? (John 8:36)
- Why don’t I believe that “You delight in me”? (Zeph 3:17)
Together, we pry into my subconscious to find why I don’t believe it. Sometimes freedom comes in on entry. But more often, the process is slow because the layers are many. Invite God to reveal and peel the layers off one at a time.
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JOURNALING PRESCRIPTIVE VERSES
Prescriptive verses are instructions. Think the Sermon on the Mount and much of Paul’s writing.
- “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Rom 12:18)
- “Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances” (I Thess 5:16)
- “Lend without expecting anything in return.” (Luke 6:35)
When I notice a prescriptive verse, I pause to write it out and ask myself, “Self, am I obeying this command?” When the answer is yes, I am obeying, I smile and write out my thanks. When the answer is no, I pry.
I said pry, not cry. Although I do cry sometimes because I’m so mad (the reason I’m not obeying is because I don’t want to). I don’t try to change my behavior without dealing with my beliefs (that never works anyway). I ask, “Why am I not embracing this command?” and together, God and I consider the regular cast of characters:
- Is it cultures influence?
- Is it something from my family of origin?
- Do I have a false expectation or entitlement?
- Do I have an impure motive?
- Is there a wound in my past that needs healing?
When I dig and ask the Holy Spirit questions, things start to make sense.
For instance, if I had a history of not being provided for or protected, I may have a hard time obeying the command to “not worry” (Matt 6). But God wants to show me that He is my provider and protector. If I had an old fear of rejection, I may have a hard time obeying the command to let other’s carry my burdens like Galatians 6 prescribes. But God wants to heal my fear. If I didn’t love myself, I might not be able to even comprehend “loving my neighbor as I love myself” (Mark 12). But God is waiting to tell me how loveable I really am.
He does all this when I ask. In fact, He blows my mind all the time and leads me into paradigm shifts that transform my thinking and prepare my heart to believe His promises, receive His descriptions and obey His prescriptions, just like His Word says.
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In my journal, I am honest- it’s a place where I can be real and raw and deep. There, I give myself the freedom to get messy without expectations of a tidy conclusion. In fact, sometimes the process takes months. Sometimes I need a friend or counselor to join me along the way. God is a gentleman and He is very patient with me and He will bring it to pass.
This post is part of the Journaling Scripture Series.
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