The Session: Journaling....is it for everyone, or should Eeyore stay away?

The Session with Tom Russell

If the title of this episode freaked you out a bit, don't worry, we aren't going to the Hundred Acre Wood. One of Scott's nicknames is "Eeyore". He tends to see things through a glass half empty lens. As we discuss journaling today, see if God isn't inviting you to move into this way of expressing yourself and your feelings.

The Session: Journaling, A Helpful Treatment Strategy

Psalm 119:27

Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.

Journaling Helps

· It helps me see the ways that God's Spirit in me is producing growth over time.

· Journaling has become one of the ways that I best connect with God.

· Journaling helps me to persevere in the journey I'm on with Christ

· And it also helps me to open up to God. It helps me to be more honest with God and with myself.

Journal and personalize scripture

Psalm 86

1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. 4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. 6 Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. 7 When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.

Things to journal

When you need something to write in your journal, consider finishing one of the following:

1. This week I was most blessed by . . .

2. My favorite passage of Scripture is . . .

3. The area where I need to put more trust in God is . . .

4. One lesson I learned from Scripture this week is . .

What to Write

· All that's needed is your honest, authentic, vulnerable self willing to show up to the page and encounter the Holy Spirit.

· “Write what you see.”Write your life, your legacy, your prayers, your God-sightings, and everything in between in the pages of that journal.

Two Way Journaling

It is a way to write to God and record what you feel the Holy Spirit is saying to you in your quiet time. This journal is best for those who would like to begin the daily habit of spending meditative time with God and His word.

What would God say to you personally?

I promised on the episode I would leave this here, so....

An Eeyore thought from Scott: All I see you saying is God, God, God. What if my life just sucks, and I don’t see any evidence of God anywhere? What’s the point of journaling for me? WHY would I want to write all my junk down to be reminded of it over and over again?

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.