[Journal Prompts] Three Questions to Deepen Your Walk with the Lord + A Special Invitation to Journal Gently

Hey, my friends. Welcome back to Let’s Encourage One Another. My name is Kari Bartkus, and as you listen to this, we are in the first week of July. Can you believe it?

I don’t know about you, but we as a family have been spending more time outside. I’m usually watching the birds while my kiddos play; I’ve been trying to learn how to identify them by what they look like and the sounds they make.

But we were outside several weeks ago, and I happened to see a dead plant nearby. And there are many times when we are driving along and we’ll pass a tree without any leaves on it.

And when I noticed these things, a few questions popped into my mind:

• What do I need to put to death?
• What is already dead that I might need to mourn?
• What will I feed my soul?

I know, that last one didn’t seem related at all, but still, it came to mind. And I can’t explain why these things came to mind, they just did.

If you’ve listened to the podcast for awhile now, you know I like to write and journal some of these things out. So I actually emailed those questions to myself so I’d remember to do that. And today I am returning to these questions and sharing them with you.

Because I know we all need moments when we pause to reflect. When we consider deeply what we have been feeling and experiencing. When we can ask God about the things stirring in our hearts and souls. If you were part of the Writing with God retreat, you know that it’s important for us to pay attention to the things going on around us, to pay attention to the things going on inside of us, to pay attention to where God is moving, and to stop and take notice. To linger.

And that’s what I’m doing with these questions. I paid attention to something in my physical environment that is now leading me to pay attention to how God is moving in my life. I am noticing and naming the things He stirs within me. And I’m talking to Him about it.

And I’m inviting you to do the same.

What Do I Need to Put to Death?

So, back to my first question: What do I need to put to death?

Colossians 3 talks about putting to death “the sinful, earthly things lurking within” us, and then goes on to list a few examples. Some of the church fathers referred to this as mortification of sin. I’ll link to an article that explains it some more, but generally speaking, while we rely on God’s strength and grace to transform us into His image and likeness, there are still times when we must choose to intentionally walk away from sinful behavior.

And so I ask, what sinful behavior is getting in between me and my Lord?

• Am I being too controlling? Not yielding to God in specific situations in my life?
• Is there anywhere that I am being greedy or selfish?
• Am I putting too much thought on myself rather than others?
• Have I told any lies or half-truths?

And the list could go on and on… I invite you to hold this question before the Lord and let Him guide you in reviewing your life and actions. He’ll show you the things that stand between you and Him. But know that this is a prayer that takes courage and humility. Are you ready and willing to hear what He reveals to you?

What is Already Dead, That I Might Need to Mourn?

The second question was, What is already dead, that I might need to mourn?

This question reminded me that sometimes we experience loss, but don’t take the time to name it and grieve. It doesn’t have to be the loss of someone we love, though it very well could be. It could be the loss of a community, the loss of a job, the changes we experience every day, a relationship, a dream. It could be the ability to trust someone you once trusted. It could be that you currently don’t have someone to lead you or teach you, someone serving in that mentor role.

Is there anything in your life, any experience you have been through or are going through, that has deeply impacted you that you have not yet brought before the Lord?

Take time to write it down. Maybe it’s just one thing. Get out your journal and describe that situation in as much detail you are led to do. Write down what you remember. Ask God to show you what you don’t remember.

Or maybe a lot of things come to mind. It’s enough just to make a list of them. Don’t feel like you have to describe them all unless that is what you feel led to do.

There’s a lot of power in just naming it, in acknowledging it before the Lord, even if you do nothing else with it. It’s like holding it before the Lord and just admitting to Him, “God, that hurt.” And then letting Him minister to you in that moment.

What Will I Feed My Soul?

And the last question, which seems unrelated, but is still very important: What will I feed my soul?

Because the truth is, if I feed it certain things, it will die. It will grow hard. It will grow calloused. And I don’t want that. I want to feed my soul things that are life-giving, that lead me closer to the Lord, that are nourishing.

And so I have to take a look at the things I’m listening to, the things I’m watching. I have to ask myself if I am being disciplined to be in His Word, even on days when it’s hard? Not that it’s a legalistic checklist but that my soul needs its food! Just like my body needs water and food, so my soul needs to eat the Bread of Life and drink the Living Water. And being in God’s Word is one of the best ways to do that.

As Moses said in Deuteronomy 32 verse 47 (ESV), “For it is no empty word for you, but your very life.”

An Invitation to Journal Gently

If you are someone who is drawn to journaling and writing, I invite you to take those questions and reflect on them as time allows:

• What do I need to put to death?
• What is already dead that I might need to mourn?
• What will I feed my soul?

But I also want to extend a special invitation for you. Because writing and journaling has been such a powerful practice for me—not just to help me process and reflect on life, but writing has also been one of the places where I have met with and experienced God Himself.

And so I invite you to consider joining me for my upcoming writing program called Journal Gently.

Journal Gently is an 8-week program designed to help you use writing as a way to process hurt, grief, and trauma with God. It is based on a trauma-sensitive approach from an organization called Write Your Self, but I’ve also incorporated Christian spiritual practices where we can invite God into the process and pay attention to how He is working and moving in our lives.

Now, one of the things I really appreciate about the Write Your Self method is that you get to choose what to write about, you get to choose what to share. So you can choose to write about those difficult seasons in your life or about something else altogether—the power is really in the writing process itself. We also take time to create a space for writing and meeting with God, to explore different writing routines, and some really practical things that allow you to make this a regular practice.

This program will start on August 1 and run through September 23. It’s perfect for those who want the training aspect along with personal support and spiritual direction.

You can learn more at lovedoesthat.org/journalgently. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at kari@lovedoesthat.org. Remember, my name is spelled K-A-R-I.

Okay, that is all for today, my friends. Until next time… let’s encourage one another.

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RESOURCES + BIBLE VERSES:

• “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you…” (Colossians 3:5 NLT)
• “For it is no empty word for you, but your very life.” (Deuteronomy 32:47 ESV)
• Article: The Mortification of Sin

INTERESTED IN WRITTEN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?

I’d be honored to walk with you through a difficult season and help you discover God’s presence and work in your life.