Confession: my journey to a triple book deal began with a blog. My blog began with a journal. My journaling began with heartbreak. Oftentimes, it takes brokenness to show us just how much we need for God to put us back together. 

For example, though my blog originated as an assignment my freshman year at university, I only received inspiration for the concept of Adorned in Armor when a sermon about putting on the full armor of God showed me my nakedness—and the depths of my hurt I was experiencing as my mother battled many illnesses. 

Going further, I only began to journal after I suffered a heartbreak and my friend—who is more like a big sister—recommended I put my feelings, thoughts, and prayers in a notebook.

See what I mean? Sometimes, brokenness is necessary. It reveals the depths of our need for Jesus and how there’s always glory on the journey to wholeness and healing. I can testify as a woman who has overcome so much and has tons of private journal entries turned testimonies to prove it!

Needless to say, I am a huge advocate for journaling and without fail, I encourage any person (especially writers) going through difficult seasons to tap into this practice.

So what is journaling? What does biblical journaling look like?

Journaling is an intimate act. One that can help you get closer to God and to yourself. Since it’s where I commune with God, I refer to journaling as my written prayers. It looks different for everyone! Whether you’re seeking spiritual healing, clarity, or a deeper sense of purpose, journaling offers a safe space for self-reflection, emotional processing, and discovering God’s presence in your everyday life. Through guided exercises, you’ll be empowered to uncover the answers within, find peace in your struggles, and walk towards wholeness.

I’d like to help you get started on your own journey to journaling. See here for some of my personal tips! (Plus, check out my YouTube video featuring these tips for more insight!)

Some of my personal tips for effective journaling:

Journaling is for you, sis. Don’t write with the expectation of sharing. You are already sharing your heart with God and if He leads you to share an entry with anyone else at a later time, let that moment come then! Focus on your release now.

Journaling isn’t for judgement. Please feel free to bare it all on the pages. Refrain from judging yourself for what you write. The enemy condemns, but God is the one who convicts and invites you closer. 

Journaling doesn’t need any structure. Your journal, your rules! Express yourself the way you would like. Don’t worry about scribbles, drying ink, misspelled words, poor grammar, or if it sounds like you’re rambling. Flow freely. Don’t edit yourself.

Journaling doesn’t have any time limits. Focus on developing this practice for 10 days. If you can’t, I encourage you to try 10 minutes three times a week but even if you can give 5 minutes every few days, celebrate the time you do have. Push for more but don’t force it. 

Journaling is for release, reflection, and restoration. Reread your entries. Thank God for spending time with you and ask Him to reveal anything that would encourage your growth and healing.

Being in a broken place is brutal but the best part is that when you allow God into the healing process, He makes us even better than we were before. 

Take these tips and apply them to your journaling life and I can assure you—you will never be the same! Anything that draws you deeper to the Father and into a stronger revelation of who you are called to be is always beneficial—that’s undeniable.

Here’s a special way to commit to journaling:

If you need more help in applying these tips or you’d like more strategies as you begin your journey to journaling, I’ve got you! I share even more in my newest program, the Journal Therapy course. I am taking you by the hand to help you get unstuck so you learn how to fully give yourself to a private journal entry so one day it can be a public testimony. You need to be in this course if you feel like you’ve neglected yourself, your spiritual life, your dreams, and your story. We’ll explore powerful journaling techniques that allow you to connect with your inner self and strengthen your relationship with God. Click here to sign up. I’ll see you there!