Everyone needs a safe, private place to bare his or her soul and sort out his or her thoughts and feelings. When I was a teenager, I had a personal diary. I kept it in the drawer of a small desk in my bedroom, where I did most of my studying. In one drawer was my white diary, some important papers, and my appointment cards; hidden away in another drawer was the key that opened and closed my diary’s little lock.

I loved that diary and confided in it my joys, heartaches, and embarrassing moments. The lined pages offered me the opportunity to write whatever secret information I wanted to record. It held stories of best friends and new crushes, slumber parties and basketball games.

Writing in a personal diary or journal is more than just recording facts. It’s an opportunity to write from your heart and soul as you reflect on the events, circumstances, and people in your life.

I was blessed with a wonderful God-fearing family, was loved and cared for, and was taught the Scriptures from the day I was born. But even the best family in the world cannot protect a child from every emotional issue. I was always small for my age—and very skinny. I had some health issues that I struggled with, and I was socially immature. Though I made friends easily, I didn’t always fit in with the crowd and often felt like a tagalong. These were issues I didn’t know how to discuss with those around me, but I could write about my thoughts and emotions in my diary.

Somehow, by holding a pen in my hand, I could form words that allowed me to reach into my soul and pull out what was deep inside. After all the words were poured onto the pages, I could close the book and turn the lock so no one would know.

As adult women, we deal with emotional issues from day to day.
Our children exhaust us.

Our husbands hurt us.

Our friends disappoint us.

We might not feel like discussing these matters with anyone—maybe because we don’t even know how to begin.

We can hold pens in our hands though. We can form words on a page in a book that we can open and close and keep in a private drawer. Let these ideas and suggestions help you reach in and pull out what’s deep inside your soul.

Prayer Journals

Prayer is simply talking to God. We can talk to him just like a friend, and the great thing is, he’s the best listener. He gives us his undivided attention all the time.

If you choose to write your prayers in a journal, you can write them in the same way—using everyday language as though you were talking to a friend and giving him your undivided attention.