Journal Prompts
March
Prompt: The Farmer’s Almanac says “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” In my area, winds describe March. I want this month to end soon. But I know winds of life are meant for my growth? What winds have come in your life recently? Are you being knocked down or standing firm? Spend time thanking God for His strength to make you firm in this season.
April
Prompt: Spring captures a new season. Birds chirping, flowers blooming, and more sunlight emerges. I love Spring because it gives me a renewed prospective to the long days of winter. Hope gives way to new life. Spend a moment gazing a God’s creation. Write what you notice. What are you hoping for in your new season? Why? Make note of something good about the new season or circumstance you are experiencing.
May
Prompt: Ponderings are good. They encompass ideas that can lead to beneficial conclusions. What are you mulling over in your mind? What decision do you need to make? Will the answer lead to something good? Take time to journal about it. “Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8
June
Prompt: Patterns Tell a Story. Breaking free from the cycle of distractions is hard. I often veer away from what I need to do to heal. Journaling through distractions, feelings, and not wanting to face my issues helps to break unhealthy patterns. Where do you run to avoid facing the truths about yourself? Write about it.
July
Prompt: Lazy days of summer entice us to do nothing. Most summers, I catch up on my reading. I usually finish a few novels. My favorite time of summer is sitting and journaling, either at the beach, mountains, or my outdoor patio. What do I write about? Nothing that I’ve planned. I just brain dump. There is much to release. Begin dumping what comes to mind. Give them over to the Lord in prayer. “Cast your cares on Him for He cares for you” 1Peter 5:7
August
Prompt: The crowning of these summer days display ripe, sweet, colorful, and moisturizing fruits awaiting consumption before its season ends. I love summer. I wish we could enjoy it one more month. My trips to farmers markets give me the opportunity to purchase plump fruits for smoothies, fruit infused water, summer fruit salads, and desserts. Fruit is beneficial for our health. And living a life worthy for the Lord bears fruit in every good work (Colossians 1:10). What is your favorite fruit? Do you regularly implement fresh fruit in your diet? Spend time journaling about a good work that has produced fruit for your soul.
September
Prompt: The end of summer draws near and I am not ready! Moving into a new season reminds me to take something from the previous one. Healthy and beneficial practices need to remain. I choose to continue my practice of rest into the fall season. Even though seasons change, God doesn’t. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17). What practice did God place in you this summer? How can you keep it going into the next season of your life-even beyond the fall? Maybe you’ve implemented a habit of praying early in the morning or adding more greens to your daily meals. Write about what healthy practice you would like to continue. Journal about it.
October
Prompt: As the season changes, leaves fall from the trees, brisk winds blow, and darkness settles in early. Nature’s cycle is faithful to the Creators design. And this pattern is beneficial to all creation. People possess certain patterns-good and bad. But we often don’t notice them until pain occurs. Eating ice cream every night may cause stomach ailments. Holding in anger may cause high blood pressure. So, what is going on inside of you that makes you want to repeat patterns that cause harm? Journaling helps to uncover emotional distress and minimize pain. Journaling gives clarity and provides a release that allows the body to relax. Write about any harmful patterns you have? Write what bothers you about these habits. Express gratitude and a willingness to change. Stay with this same writing for 3-4 days. End your writing in a prayer to God for change.
November
Prompt: When I look back to this year’s trials and blessings, I have much to be thankful for. I don’t deny my hard days because the victories lead me to rejoice on the times where God brought me through. A focus on blessings over trials takes practice. Science tells us keeping a gratitude list benefits our health and wellbeing. Interventions to increase gratitude has positive benefits. I’ve been writing in my gratitude journal for years and much of my burdens have lifted. Every year, November reminds me to be grateful. What has God brought you out of? What has been hard for you this year? Before the rush of the holidays, grab a pen and paper and write what you are thankful for. Try writing this list at night before bedtime. Write a glad Psalms at the top of your paper. Notice the difference it makes to your end of the day stress. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit saps a persons strength (Proverbs 17:22).