20 Journal Thoughts That Changed My Life
Journaling is therapy for me, for my soul. This is why I boldly claim that journaling has indeed changed my life.
I’ve always loved to journal. And during certain seasons of life, journaling became a lifeline and would draw me closer to the Lord all in the same stroke of the pen.
Some thoughts the Lord gave me in the past, but are helpful now.
While others are fresh inspiration from the Lord and useful for the daily Christian journey.
So I’m letting you peek into my personal journal for 20 thoughts. I hope they encourage you and bring life to your soul.
Because these particular entries changed my life.
The Cross Changed My Life
(1.) When life’s disappointments attempt to become my unwelcome friend, I remember Jesus calls me friend (John 15:5). If I visualize Christ as my best friend, it comforts me that I am never alone, always have someone to talk to, and have a shoulder to lean on.
(2.) I must cling to the only sure hope in the darkness. Jesus. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” John 1:5 ESV.
(3.) Lord, place the cross and the blood of Jesus between me and the enemy, and between me and difficult people and circumstances. There’s nothing Your redemptive blood doesn’t cover. And there’s nothing it can’t redeem. This prayer has changed my life and perspective.
Prayers and Promises
(4.) I’m so thankful for the power of prayer: mountains still move, seas still part, mana still rains from heaven, and because God can raise the dead, ashes turn to beauty again.
I’m so thankful for the power of prayer: mountains still move, seas still part, mana still rains from heaven, and because God can raise the dead, ashes turn to beauty again. Share on X(5.) Even if the world seems to stop spinning. Even if dark clouds seem to hijack sunny days. And even if life seems void of another sunrise or sunset. The Son holds the world and me in His hands (Psalm 95:4). The Son shines His face on me and gives me peace (Numbers 6:25:-26). And the Son rises with healing in His wings and with new mercies every morning (Malachi 4:4, Lamentations 3:22-23).
(6.) Lord, I know all your promises are “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). So help me trust that there are countless and hearty yeses and the loudest Amens at the end of this path.
Grace Changed My Life
(7.) Rules never saved anyone. Rule-keeping never provided grace. But the blood of Jesus covers my sins and provides amazing grace…saving grace! It’s not about rule-keeping, but obeying the Almighty God and His Word.
(8.) God’s always waiting with open arms. There’s no better, safer, or stronger arms than the arms of the Almighty.
(9.) Sometimes I’m holding onto everything but Jesus. When I release the hurt, the pain, the fear, and what-ifs, then my hands and heart are open and free to hold onto the only One who matters.
Strength and Restoration
(10.) The Lord is my strength, my song, my salvation. The LORD is a Warrior! MY warrior! (Exodus 15:2-3)
(11.) Lord, I’m claiming a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit, that You may be glorified (Isaiah 61:3).
"Lord, I’m claiming a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit, that You may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3) Share on X(12.) In Joel 2:25, the Lord promised to restore the years the locusts had eaten. And if you know the total, devastating damage caused by locusts. And how they consume everything in their path, any form of life and vegetation. If God can restore that kind of damage and death and nothingness back to life and wholeness, He can do it in my life.
Victory Changed My Life
(13.) I stand as victor because Christ was victorious.
(14.) In a spiritual battle, the enemy holds no power over me. Satan is not God’s equal, he is powerless before the Almighty who fights for me.
In a spiritual battle, the enemy holds no power over me. Satan is not God’s equal, he is powerless before the Almighty who fights for me. Share on X(15.) Does anyone promise “forever” and really own up to it? Yes, Jesus!
(16.) God steps into my mess as soon as I decide to step out. Only He can bring good from it.
Goodness and Trust
(17.) God IS a good, good Father and I am confident goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6). Lord, as I walk through a valley, help me to turn and see the footprints of goodness and mercy behind me every step of the way.
(18.) I trust You, Lord, to write and rewrite my story for Your glory. Even from the valleys, one day there will be a story of praise to share, a song of victory to sing!
(19.) I have been chosen by God as a temple for His glory and His name to dwell.
(20.) Romans 12:1-2 calls for me not to be conformed to this world. Instead, I’m called to offer myself as a living sacrifice. But it’s hard to be a living sacrifice when I keep crawling off the altar of God’s holiness.
Last week’s post, A God Who Sees and Cares.
Featured images from our YouTube Channel, Friday’s Forever.
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Inspire Me Monday/Tell His Story/Recharge Wednesday/Let’s Have Coffee/Tune in Thursday/Embracing the Unexpected (Grace & Truth).
© 2023 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
Karen, thank you so much for inviting us into your intimate world of journal keeping. Your insights, over time, are certainly inspiring and illuminating, and I enjoyed each and every word. God bless!
Thank you, Martha. I’m glad you enjoyed reading these words. God bless, friend!
Karen, thank you for sharing, and we all need joy and ❤️ that God unconditional gives us. As the Holy Spirit took hold of my soul, he guided my words to his spiritual songs. To get back your thoughts, I love number 3, Lord, Place the Cross and 🩸 of Jesus between me and the enemy. Hallelujah We need to say them words everyday. I invite you to my website JodiLaBelle.com
Hi Jodi, Amen to your thoughts. I will visit your site. God bless.
Love this! It’s neat to have a peek into someone else’s thoughts in this way. I really appreciate that you shared this!!
Thank you, Jessica. Journaling has meant so much to me over the years.
This is wonderful! Than you for sharing your journal thoughts. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂
Thank you, Melissa. These thoughts continue to inspire me.
I’m hoping to journal more over the summer. Thanks for showing me yours. God bless!
Nancy, I think you will enjoy it. And if not all the time, during specific times of life can really make a big difference in our spiritual journey. At last it does for me.
I love this! I’m a huge fan of journaling—especially as someone with a dreadful memory who can look back and remember God’s whispers to me! Thanks for sharing… stopping by from #tuneinthursday
I agree, Laura. It really builds my faith and grows my trust in the Lord to look back at journal entries. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m not sure that I journal, but I do keep a daily prayer list and want to start recording when and how my prayers are answered. I don’t really have family to pass that onto, but maybe post-rapture someone will stumble upon it and I can change a life. Another super-inspiring post ma’am. Thank you.
A daily prayer list is a different kind of journaling. I also have a prayer journal so I will remember to pray for those people and needs that have been told to me. Recording the answers to prayers really increases our faith. God bless!
Thank you for sharing your insights into your journaling. I’ve kept a journal off-and-on throughout the years, too. It’s so good to go back and read the things that God has done! Everyone should journal, if for no other reason than to remember what God has done in our lives.
I agree, Lisa. Looking back at what God has done is one of the greatest blessings of a journal. And it gives us the hope and faith that He will contine to do great things.
I don’t journal often but it is so helpful when I do. I love hearing all about your journaling and how it impacted your live. So wonderful. Thank you Karen.
Thanks, Yvonne. I pray that we continue to remember to see Christ as our best friend and excange whispers with the Lord daily.
Hi Karen, A peek into your journal has been like recreating a quiet time with the Lord. I want to drink in the things the Lord taught you and the Scriptures to back them up. I journal occassionally although this used to be a regular practice for me. Your post has encouraged me to do this on a regular basis, and wait for the Lord’s response as I used to.
I will be looking back on your post to remember how the Lord meets those deep emotional needs within us.
I would love to have you stop by at https://janisvankeuren.com/ and take a look at my new post.
Blessings,
Janis Van Keuren
Hi Janis, glad this post resonated with you and encouraged you on your journaling journey. I will absolutely check out your site and posts. Thanks you.
Karen,
Journaling has been a tool God has used throughout my life too. During the hard, painful times, He’s met me in the pages of my journal, spoken truth to (and over) me that brought me peace, and He’s reminded me of His love for me.
I LOVED what you shared here: “Sometimes I’m holding onto everything but Jesus. When I release the hurt, the pain, the fear, and what-ifs, then my hands and heart are open and free to hold onto the only One who matters.”
Jeanne, that’s wonderful. And I like how you said God met you in the pages of your journal! I’m glad journaling has been a great tool in your life as well. I pray we release everything to the only One who was meant to take care of it.
These are encouraging words, Karen! Thank you for sharing them today. I’ve been buried under the difficulties that began a month ago, and it’s a blessing to ready what you have to say about reliance on Jesus. We need Him every day, all the time.
Melinda, you have certainly had a long and hard journey lately. This scripture I shared from my journal made me think of you and what you have been through. The Lord is my strength, my song, my salvation. The LORD is a Warrior! MY warrior! (Exodus 15:2-3)
Karen, I loved this list, but what stood out to me today was this, “Satan is not God’s equal, he is powerless before the Almighty who fights for me.” It’s good to be reminded of that fact. The Almighty is fighting for me – and He wins EVERY TIME.
He does win every time! It is such a powerful and comforting thought to know God trumps the enemy every time.
Isn’t it wonderful to find insights from past journals? Thanks for sharing your finds with us.
Hey Lisa, looking back at journal entries always stirs my heart for what the Lord has done and what He will do.
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