Journaling with Jesus: Why It Matters for Christians (Especially Those of Us with Chronic Illness)
How writing with God can steady your heart, strengthen your faith, and hold you on the hard days.
Journaling has always been special to me. I think it’s because I grew up watching my mom journal on her own every day. It became so special to me that I even launched my own handmade journal making business in 2019 called Handmade Hope. The story behind that is for another day but today, I wanted to talk about why it journaling matters in our walk with Jesus and why it’s not only beneficial but something you should consider practicing going forward.
Journaling is not only an amazing way to get what’s trapped in your mind out in the open to be pondered and worked through with the Holy Spirit, it’s also a way to grow in your faith as you watch how God’s answered prayers, deepen your prayer life, meditate on scripture, slow down to hear God speak, cultivate gratitude and remember blessings and even foster healing for your mental health struggles.
Here’s how you can make journaling a real, sustainable practice (without exhausting yourself)
Because if you’re like me, you don’t need another “should do.” You need something gentle, realistic, and helpful.
Start small. Even 5 minutes is powerful.
Be flexible. Use a paper journal, or type on your phone. Use colored pens, doodles, or bullet points — whatever feels manageable.
Use journal prompts. When you don’t know what to write, try: “Where did I sense God today?”, “What is He inviting me to release?”, “What am I grateful for right now?”
Don’t worry about perfection. Some entries will be messy. Some will be blank pages for weeks. That’s okay. God meets you in the mess.
Reflect periodically. Once a month or seasonally, flip through past entries. Celebrate answered prayers. Notice growth.
Make it a spiritual rhythm, not a performance. This isn’t about building a perfect habit. It’s about creating space for God, rest, and self-awareness.
Journaling isn’t just another self care practice, it’s a discipline. It’s a posture before God and a way I remind myself that my illness, in it’s ups and downs, that God is present and He is listening and faithful.
If you’ve never journaled before (or haven’t in a while), I invite you: try it for a week (or even just a few days). See what happens. Let God meet you on the page. Trust that He cares about your heart, every line.
Next month, during the month of December, i’ll be sharing some journal prompts here on Substack both in a post with prompts for the whole month and in the chat each day or each week so you can make journaling a part of your day should you choose to now too!
I’ll leave you with a few journal prompts to get you started! Chose your favorite journal, a pen and one or a few of these journal prompts and journal away!
Where did I notice God’s presence today, even in a small way?
What is one thing I’m grateful for today, and how can I give God thanks for it?
What is something heavy on my heart that I want to lay before the Lord?
Which Scripture has been speaking to me lately, and why?
What do I need Jesus to help me with right now—physically, emotionally, or spiritually?
How did God show me His kindness today?z
I’m in!!