Journaling: A Buffer Zone for our Words
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." Proverbs 18:21 NRSV
Series: Journaling: Writing the Story of Your Life with God
Devotional: 4 of 4
So far in this series, we have considered two fruits that the Holy Spirit is actively forming in us when we choose to engage in the practice of journaling:
Learning to wait Patiently for the Lord.
Expressing Gratitude to Jesus for all that He has done for us.
Here is a third fruit that will often emerge from the practice of journaling: Self-control.
Have you ever said something you deeply regretted? A moment in time where you would give anything to take back the word vomit that just came flying out of your mouth? A moment where you quickly became defensive, blaming others for your loose tongue? A moment where you found yourself scrambling to minimize your hurtful words, only to dig yourself into a deeper hole?
To be human is to have experienced these moments of regret more often than we care to admit. It is in this place that we feel the weight and responsibility of Proverbs 18:21 NRSV, which says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Here it becomes painfully clear how much our words matter.
What if the practice of journaling could provide us with a way for our words to marinate before they are ever spoken? What if instead of saying the first thing that comes to our mind in the heat of a difficult conversation, we allow our journal to act as a buffer zone? A safe place to put pen to paper, what we really want to say, and then ask the Holy Spirit to purify our words before we speak.
In the presence of the Lord, journaling becomes a filter for our initial thoughts to fall to the ground, never seeing the light of day. Thoughts that are often born out of pride, anger, and a critical spirit. Here, journaling becomes a chance to heed the warnings of Proverbs 18:6-7 ESV that says "A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul."
In time, the pages of our journals will overflow with words that are sure to become a "fountain of wisdom" given to those who are willing to wait for the Lord to speak. Words covered in truth and grace. Words that offer compassion and empathy. And words that foster hope and new life. (See Proverbs 2:6, 10:31, and 18:4 NRSV)
OnThe3rdDay Devotionals
Devotionals that illustrate Biblical principles in a simple and short format that can be applied to your everyday life.
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