What did you eat for lunch last Wednesday? If you can’t remember, you’re in good company.
I can’t remember either (unless I’m keeping a food journal).
Remembering mundane details like what we ate for lunch probably doesn’t matter in the long run. But we forget more important things than what we ate—and that does matter.
My friend once stopped at the grocery store on a Thursday night after work. He picked up a few things necessary to get through the weekend and put them in the trunk of his car for the drive home.
When my friend got home, he went about his normal routines. Monday morning he opened the trunk to toss in his work bag.
A stench greeted him. A gallon of milk bought three days earlier sat before him, now bulging and rank.
We forget so easily. Let’s allow this uncomfortable truth to motivate us to keep a written record of the most important details in our lives—God’s faithfulness.
Remembering is the purpose of journaling.
But what if you’re not a journaler? Let’s reframe it.
3 Types of Journalers
I used to think there were two kinds of people in this world: those who journal and those who don’t. Perhaps like me, you fit somewhere in between.
I’ve enjoyed seasons of consistent journaling when my pen flowed freely and my list of gratitudes lengthened day after day.
I’ve also walked through seasons when putting the day’s thoughts into words on a page was too heavy a lift.
But maybe there’s a third category of journalers: those who journal off and on.
No matter where you fit on the spectrum of journal writers, keeping a record of God’s steadfastness is a faith-building practice. This rhythm is rooted in the Old Testament practice of building altars.
Biblical Foundation for Journaling
“Therefore, these stones will always be a memorial for the Israelites.” – Joshua 4:7 HCSB
After Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, he stopped to build an altar. The people probably wondered why Joshua stopped them—for goodness’ sake, they were finally entering the Promised Land!
But Joshua knew the people would need to remember this moment as a sign of God’s faithfulness. So men from each tribe chose a stone from the middle of the river and built an altar to “always be a memorial for the Israelites” (Jo 4:7).
When we journal God’s faithfulness, we create a personal, written pillar of stones.
Our journals become a memorial.
Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past helps us trust His steadfastness today and in the future.
One day, we’ll need a reminder of God’s faithfulness. A journal can hold a lifetime of reminders.
10 Prompts for Journaling God’s Faithfulness
Whether new or seasoned as a journaler, let these questions give fresh sight to look for and track God’s faithfulness.
Here are some questions to develop this faith-building habit.
1 – What beauty has God created in my day?
God puts small beauties in our lives to remind us He cares about our unique details.
The roses I cut from my yard today remind me that God cares enough to make beautiful, wild things grow. God knows how much flowers encourage my heart.
What small beauties do you see today?
2 – How did God shower grace on me today?
If we “happen” to cross paths with just the right person today. Or somehow a need was met today—that’s grace.
Look for the happy little “coincidences” and see God’s kindness.
3 – Where did I see God’s mercy?
Think of the ways your day could have gone wrong but didn’t—that’s mercy.
Perhaps you had a busy day planned with several appointments across town, and everything ran on time. The baby napped, the washer washed, and no one left their soccer cleats at home—all mercies.
4 – Did God give me victory?
When we’re faced with a situation in which the “old self” would’ve acted selfishly, but the “new self” responded with the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22–24), this was a victory from the Lord.
We’ve experienced spiritual growth because of Jesus. That’s a victory worth recording.
5 – Did God give my people victory?
When we notice the same kind of God-directed growth in a loved one or someone we’ve been praying for, we want to note it. This gives us hope and encourages us to keep praying for others.
6 – How is God using my struggles?
When a struggle draws us closer to God, our hearts can be stirred toward gratitude.
We should remember this moment. The same is true when our struggle or weakness draws others to the Lord.
7 – How is God moving in the lives of my spouse and my children/grandchildren?
When God is at work in the lives of the people we love most, we don’t want to miss it. Record how God is challenging, blessing, growing, and directing them.
8 – Where is God directing me?
Did something happen today to guide you? Maybe God lit the path you’re walking. Or perhaps He illuminated a new way forward.
When it’s crystal clear God’s guiding your steps, write it down.
9 – Did God bring a specific Scripture to my mind?
Sometimes when reading the Bible, listening to a sermon, or singing praise music, a specific Scripture may come to mind and stay.
Write that Bible verse down and keep track of how it might be useful “for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness” (2 Tm 3:16).
10 – Where have I seen evidence of God’s name?
God’s names reveal His attributes: El Roi—the God who sees (Gn 16:13), the Good Shepherd who knows your name (Jn 10:1–5), or Jehova Jireh—the God who provides (Gn 22:14).
When did you feel seen, known, or provided for?
Capture these moments in your journal.
Journaling for Our Good and God’s Glory
Journaling to remember God’s faithfulness isn’t the same as keeping an autobiographical record of the details of your life. It’s a remembrance of specific faithfulness—like an altar.
Recalling God’s faithfulness honors the Lord like an aromatic offering and focuses our attention on the most important things.
Journaling God’s steadfastness can be used for our good and His glory.
Nicole O’Meara
Nicole O’Meara is the survivor of an undiagnosed disease and a spinal cord injury. Hope is the anthem in her home. Nicole enjoys writing with her fluffy Aussiedoodle at her feet. Her writing has been featured at (in)courage, Crossmap.com, and The Joyful Life Magazine. Connect with Nicole at nicoleomeara.blog.
