A Gratitude Journal

Do you have down days? Discouraging seasons of life where things don’t appear good and we can find no hope of change ahead? What happens when those down days and discouraging seasons blend into a longer stretch of time – it becomes a year, and then it becomes two? Do you know anyone like this? Is it you?

It’s hard isn’t it?

When this is your reality what should you do? How should you respond to the circumstances you find yourself in? What should the first steps be to move us forward into living victorious and free for Christ?

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned (Romans 12:2-3).

In order for us to change the way we think about our circumstances we need to develop new habits and new disciplines. To cultivate this into our lives journal writing is an excellent tool.

Start a Gratitude Journal.

Gratitude Journal – write in the journal on a daily basis

Set time aside and think carefully about all the things you are grateful for. List them in order of importance (this will become your master list).

Day One

1. After you have written your list take the first listed item, and write out a Scripture verse associated with it.

2. Write out the reasons you should be grateful for this (1 – 2 paragraphs) and what you understand (positive or negative) Biblically about your position (1 – 2 paragraphs).

3. Based on your Scripture verse write out a prayer, asking the Lord to change and grow you according to what you have learned.

Day Two through Six:

1. Take the next item on the list and repeat the exercise (start with #2 under day one).

2. At the end of each day add three things for which you are grateful to the master list.

Day Seven:

1. Choose a journal entry where you learned the most and write out a prayer based on it (1 – 2 paragraphs).

Repeat the exercise for the next few weeks. Consider journal writing as a lifelong habit to challenge you to think through your experiences and the seasons of your life from a renewed perspective. Consider asking a close friend to work through the gratitude journal project with you – use it as a tool to bring depth and accountability to your Christian walk and testimony.

#gratitude #journal