Yes. You should write.

Why?

Writing encourages us

Consider the following:

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know you have eternal life (1 John 5:13)

or

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)

These books were not written in the Bible to merely record history, they were meant to encourage and cement our beliefs! John’s writings encourage believers to hold fast to the Biblical promises and know that Jesus is the Son of God. Revelation 1:19 reveals that John was instructed to write the things he saw in vision.

Writing helps us remember what we have learned. You remember taking notes in class? Or if you did not, why others took notes in class? Writing re-enforced what was taught. In our forgetful moments what is the first thought that comes to mind? “Why didn’t I write this down?” You do not have to write everything down, but at the very least highlight the important moments in your spiritual growth.

How to write

In an instructional video, John Maxwell was asked once how he was able to write so frequently. He illustrated the act of going around his desk, sitting in a chair, reaching for a pad of paper, and pulling out a pen. Then he started writing. At first glance this seems like a rhetorical answer. Yet, the secret to writing is simply that. Write! Find a journal (believe us, there are many prayer and Scripture journals available for purchase), pick a pen, and start writing. It requires discipline, but even a sentence or two every other day is a great start to making this a habit.

What to write

Your journal should contain snapshots of your spiritual growth. Think of your journal as a scrapbook, a place for memorable moments. John wrote about the things he saw. Here are some questions you could ask yourself:

What have you seen with your spiritual lens?
Did a particular verse or passage stick out at you?
Did you have an uplifting conversation with someone about Jesus?
What about a divine appointment at the store?
Or the opportunity to show God’s love to someone in need?
How about when you heard an answer to prayer?
What if you felt nothing and there was nothing to write about?

These are a few questions you can answer if you struggle to write. Do not feel pressured into writing a minimum number of words. This is not grade school. Some days you will find many things to write about. Other days you may write about one thing. Even then some days you may have nothing to say. These are okay. Make journaling a desirable activity, not an obligatory one.

After some time has passed, when you feel discouraged, reference your journal. You will be surprised at how much you have been through – with God’s grace. 🙂