Need Help with Your Feelings? Begin Journaling
Many of you know that Poppy Smith Ministries now includes online small group coaching and spiritual counsel. I’ve been thrilled to see God bring women together from many places who didn’t know each other but have bonded through our weekly Zoom groups. (Contact me if you’re interested in future groups.)
My Wednesday evening group has several women who write and teach Bible studies. One participant is Nancy Gladwin Ness who has experienced much soul healing after many painful experiences in life.
Nancy shares on her website (www.ngladwin.com) how God has helped her, and one of the ways is through journaling. With her permission, I am sharing some of her journey towards healing and spiritual growth with you.
Whatever you need healing from, or if you need God’s comfort right now, I hope you will begin praying, reflecting, and journaling what the Spirit brings to the surface. You will be blessed. I know, because journaling my honest, raw, feelings has been healing for me in many situations in life.
Journaling to help with anxious thoughts
“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.” Christina Baldwin
When struggling with life’s ups and downs it may be hard to see anything but what’s right in front of you. Journaling helps me think about what I am feeling and put that into words. I process feelings that overwhelm me, like feelings of regret and feeling less-than. It’s an activity that is freeing, with no right or wrong answers.
Books I’ve read to address my deepest pain were most helpful when journal prompts were included after each chapter. Journaling in response to questions became part of the process that led to a breakthrough in healing from past circumstances. This type of journaling helped me see important connections between past events and my thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Of course, journaling doesn’t replace meeting with your doctor, minister, counselor, psychologist or even a trusted friend. However, for me, it was and still is an aide to my recovery.
One author says, “There’s simply no better way to learn about your thought processes than to write them down.” I especially like the suggestion: Interview your past and future self. Journal about “what advice would you give your past self?”
Identify feelings.
It might not be easy to pinpoint why we have the feelings we do. It takes time to unearth unresolved pain that has been trapped below the surface for so long.
Find something to write in, then consider the following steps:
- Think back to when the feeling started. Ask yourself: What am I feeling?
- Was I triggered by a recent event?
- Once you’ve identified how you feel, ask, “Why am I feeling this way?”
Write like no one is watching and let it flow out before God, as the Psalmist did.
Be willing to learn new ways of thinking and accept what God is showing you. Participate in what He is doing to help you live an emotionally healthy life.
Be brave and uncover your heart.
Let your soul expand, bloom, and lead you into a new way of living.
Delight in the difference journaling your feelings will make in you.
I’d love to hear if Nancy’s words have given you hope and courage to process your emotions. Let me know if I can support you in any way. (www.poppysmith.com/support)
Poppy