1997-10-29 - Journaling
The Okay to Doubt Series, Part 2
As I said last week, most Christians go through periods of doubt at one time or another, from the famous to us "ordinary" Christians. Ironically, God often uses our doubt phases, to make our faith stronger in the long run. As we know, He can and does use EVERYthing for His glory and for our good.
(Rom 8:28 NNAS) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
One way to work through these periods, and be able to look back later and learn from them, is to journal. God can use our experiences to help others who are going through the same circumstances. Henri Nouwen wrote The Inner Voice of Love in a time of a loss of hope in God. He later wrote about that time, "What once seemed such a curse has become a blessing. All the agony that threatened to destroy my life now seems like the fertile ground for greater trust, stronger hope, and deeper love."
Someone once said (this is a paraphrase because I cannot remember the exact words) that life's most valuable lessons are learned in difficult times. If you are currently living through a dry spiritual time, try journaling. Write out your prayers to God about the doubts, and write out your feelings. No one has to see it unless you want them to, but it can be freeing to get it out in written form. Friday we will discuss some other ways to work through doubt periods.
Dear Father, please help us with our unbelief. Please use our doubts to facilitate our spiritual growth, and to help others. In Jesus' name amen.