I’ve been using a journal during my devotions and quiet times for several years now. This one thing alone has been a great help to me. It keeps me searching for something new to journal and jot down, and it’s helps me stay focused and keeps distractions at bay.
Maybe you already use a journal during your quiet time… Or maybe you’re interested in trying it out, but you’re not really into the whole “journaling thing”. Whatever the case may be, I just wanted to share a few tips with you today that can help you get out of a slump, or get started if you’ve never used a journal during your quiet times.
First things first.
What is a quiet time?
It’s just a serene sounding title for your daily devotions… which is special time set aside each day to spend with the Lord. The phrase “quiet time” is very fitting, because we all need to take some time each day to be quiet before the Lord… to “be still, and know the he is God!” (Psalm 46:10).
I hope that you are making daily quiet times a regular habit in your life. Life can be tough enough as it is – we certainly need God’s grace and help each and every day!
With that being said, let’s jump into today’s post!
How to Use a Journal During Your Quiet Time
This is always my favorite part! If you are going to be using this journal on a daily basis, you want to like your journal – a LOT.
Pictured above is my current journal. I found it at Walmart. Yes, I said Walmart. I like quality things but I also like good deals. That’s why I consistently shop at Walmart, Amazon, and thrift stores!
But back to the topic at hand. I chose this journal for two simple reasons. 1) I love the cover design 2) It has blank sketch-book-like pages. For those two reasons I love this notebook and I have the freedom to journal and doodle without having to stay in the lines – because there are no lines!
(Sometimes I like to get a journal that has pockets and dividers so I can store loose papers in the pockets.)
So, go to the store, shop online, or rummage through all the notebooks you {already} have and find a journal that you love. ♥
The next step is simple. Pull out your journal during your quiet time, and at the top of the page, record the date. (I sometimes personalize the first page of my journal as well).
I think it’s important to record the date for a couple of reasons….
- It helps with consistency. If you decide to use your journal on a daily basis, this little journal can be an accountability partner. If you miss several dates, well, you will be able to see that by taking a look at your journal.
- It’s fun to look back. A few months or years from now, you will be able to look back and remember what God taught at the various seasons in your life. What a treasure to have!
So, if you decide to begin your own journal for your quiet times… I would definitely encourage recording the date of each entry. In time to come you will be grateful that you did!
This is the fun part! There is so much you can do with your journal…
- Copy down verses you love – or verses you need!
- Jot down ways to apply the Scripture you just read.
- Make lists of your prayer requests and write out your prayers (this is especially helpful if you have a hard time staying focused while praying – like me!)
- Journal your goals and write about your one word (like I did in the photo).
- Write out favorite spiritual/inspirational quotes.
The possibilities are pretty endless. But my favorite thing to do is jot down some verses I read in my Bible reading, and then jot down a favorite quote for the day from my Deep Fire devotional book. Using a journal like this is so much fun, because your journal is going to reflect your personality… and it’s going to be a record place for the things that God teaches you!
Final Thoughts
There you go, ladies! I realize that using a journal may not be for everyone. But it’s been a great tool for me, and hope some of you will be able to take this post and run with it! (Not literally). But I certainly hope this post if a helpful guide to those of you who already use a journal, or would like to begin using one during your quiet time.
Before you go…
- Was this post helpful to you?
- Do you use a journal during your quiet time?
Please share your thoughts in the comment section. I love hearing from all of you!
I have used journals in various ways throughout the years. Right now, I am trying to read through the entire Bible in one year, so the journal definitely works as an “accountability partner” for me. It also helps me to get something out of my quiet time, rather than just reading a chapter or two and moving on with my day. It forces me to find something that sticks out to me. Sometimes it is just a phrase or a verse, other times God shows me something about himself or there is an example to follow. Anyway, because I want to have this whole year of going through the Bible in one notebook, I just chose a simple full-sized spiral notebook. I might decorate the front of it in the upcoming weeks. I may even put Psalm 46:10 on the front!
Thanks for sharing what you do! I think sometimes we tend to act kind of secretive about what we do in our quiet time, and I believe that isn’t the way that it should be.
Hi Bethany,
Thanks for sharing – I am glad you find a journal helpful as well… it is such a great tool! And yes, I too have noticed that using a journal forces me to find something “special” too. Of course, all of God’s Word is special, but sometimes just one verse, or phrase, or word can jump out to us! I am sure you know what I mean!
I love the idea of putting Psalm 46:10 on the front of your journal – what a fitting Bible verse!
Rebekah
Loved this! I absolutely love using journals, and I literally have a bin in my closet filled with journals I have filled up. Currently, I have 2 main journals I am using on a regular basis — my prayer journal and my spiritual-growth journal. I really struggle with having a consistent, every-day quiet time, and my spiritual journal helps me with that. My journal has a beautiful cover with a Bible verse and floral design, and has lined pages, and I also try to switch up my pen color for each entry. So it is very feminine and colorful! In my journal, I record things I’m learning and contemplating, heart-searching questions I need to daily ask myself, sermon notes, Bible verses, quotes, and more. I especially love using my spiritual journal with my YouVersion Bible plans, because a lot of the plans have questions for contemplation, and I write my answers in my journal 🙂
Thank you for sharing a peek into how you personally use your spiritual journal! Very inspiring!
Hello Grace,
Glad you enjoyed this post. Sounds like you have a lot of journals too! Currently, I have a drawer in my old dresser filled with special journals and notebooks – but I have a feeling that will soon turn into two drawers! I also use a personal journal to record events and happenings from our daily life, but I am not as consistent with that as with my quiet time journal.
I love the idea I using colored pens with your journal! I usually just use regular black or blue ink, but I should give colored pens a try sometime. Sounds like fun!
Thanks for sharing!
Rebekah
This was very encouraging because I’ve just recently been trying to get back into a quiet time routine for each day. Journaling has always helped me and I’m trying to pursue it more. I like to write down bible verses (like you said) and am thinking about trying to spruce it up with stickers, colors, etc. Something else I’ve done that has really given positive results was keeping a list of answered prayers. It helps me to remember that prayer is powerful and that God is listening!
Thank you for the inspiration!
Oh my goodness – I never thought about using stickers, but I love that idea! I used to scrapbook and make greeting cards, so I have a stash of stickers I could use for my journal. Thanks for sharing that idea!
I am glad you are trying to get back into a regular quiet-time routine. Walking with God each day is the BEST habit we could ever establish in our lives. Also, keeping a list of answered prayers is another really great idea – it will increase your faith as you see how God answers your prayers! (Just remember that He doesn’t always answer the way we think He should – but HIS ways are always best!)
Keep walking with the Lord!
Rebekah
Thanks for this post! I love journaling and have many full notebooks as it has really been helpful to me in the past. Although I haven’t been as faithful to journal recently and your post will hopefully help me get back in the habit. I like writing my prayers and meaningful quotes. It also helps me get more out of my reading if I’m looking for something significant to write down. I’ve used LOTS of pretty notebooks from Hobby Lobby. Often they already have a verse on the front and they are reasonably priced.
I’ve never been to Hobby Lobby – but I have heard so many great things about that store. I’ll have to check out their notebooks online! I hope you will be able to get back into a regular quiet-time routine. It is such a blessing to spend time with the Lord each day. Sometimes when I miss a day or too, and then get to spend a long time reading my Bible and journaling, I feel SO refreshed!
Thanks for sharing, Laura!
Rebekah
Thank you for this blog post! I love using a journal for my quiet time. Currently I’m using a journal to read through Romans and Matthew. It helps me stay accountable, especially writing the date! I hate it when I miss a day, and thus have to skip a date. It has really inspired me to be more focused during my time with God.
I loved seeing how you used your journal! Your handwriting is so pretty!
Hi Joy,
I am glad you enjoyed this post – it was a lot of fun to work on 🙂
That is great that your journal is such a help to you! I love that something so simple can help us ladies stay on track with our devotions. Sometimes we just need to use the resources God places in our lives – like a simple journal!
Thanks for sharing!
Rebekah
I love using the journal during my quiet time. It is always fun to pick out a new one! 🙂 It is always great to look back over and see the things God taught me.
Yes, I love getting to pick out a new journal too! 🙂