Journaling and Praying Through Difficult Emotions

Put pen to paper and you'll go to the doctor less. Sounds a bit outlandish, but it's true. Several studies have shown that people who wrote about traumatic events (or even imagined trauma!) for 15-20 minutes per session, 3-5 times, had measurably better health up to four months later than those who didn't.

Writing is essentially free therapy—it's an outlet, a best friend who's always listening, an opportunity to take the messy thoughts tangled in our heads and organize and express them. And it's not just beneficial for you, it can help in your relationships too. A friend told me she sometimes writes a letter to her husband if they disagree on something and she feels too emotionally close to the topic. She doesn't always share it, but it gives her a chance to organize her thoughts and get clear on her real goals.

I had the opportunity to talk about this idea of writing as both a communication tool and a therapeutic art form with the local women's shelter in town and lead a writing workshop and it was such an incredible experience! If you're interested in checking out a journaling exercise similar to what we did, head to Dr. Kristin Neff's website here.

July/August Reflections: Praying Through Emotions

Journaling our emotions may be a powerful tool, but an even better one is going to God with them. I recently finished a Bible study from Daily Grace Co. about finding "Biblical hope for the hard days of motherhood" and it focused on taking difficult emotions to Christ. I highly recommend the study for any moms, though the truths in it apply to us all.

No uncomfortable emotion we face is a surprise to Christ. He knew exhaustion, loneliness, anxiousness, and anger. He understands the discontentment we wrestle with, the fight for control or perfection, and the despair that leads to self-pity or laziness. And he is enough for all of them.

We can be renewed day by day as we turn to prayer and scripture in every situation. When we keep our eyes set on eternal truths and the hope set before us,

How? We all might ask when facing another mountain of a day. And I'm not sure any of us can hope to grasp the greatness and mystery of God, but we can only trust it to work.

I felt it at work in a small moment only a few weeks ago. I had planned a "fun" trip to a small museum in the next town. We drove the half-hour there, waited another half-hour behind a giant school group, and made it inside only to be greeted by the gift shop. By the time I got the older two out of the gift shop (empty-handed), the toddler was tired of the stroller, thrashing and fussing. I let her get out, and in the two seconds we stopped to read a sign, she vanished.

That girl is shockingly fast for 18 months.

She high-tailed it to the front door and I luckily caught her after a brief moment of panic. I reached for the baby carrier in the stroller basket to wear her, only to find someone's water bottle top had come off and soaked the carrier.

Within thirty minutes we had all had enough museum to last for quite some time, I surrendered, and we headed to the car. As I buckled car seats, they all begged for Chick-Fil-A, because chicken nuggets would be the clear highlight of this outing.

I closed the door, feeling the steam rising, the frustration, disappointment, annoyance, all building. And as I reached for my door handle, the Bible study popped into my head. (That's how the Holy Spirit works, isn't it?)

I stopped. Not for long, the baby hates the car seat, but I stopped for a moment. "God, please help me be patient and have wisdom." A short, quick prayer to reset myself and get a little help.

Climbing back into the car, I had the reset I needed. The steam was gone. My head had cleared, I calmed everyone down, and we had quiet drive home in which the baby (who never sleeps in her car seat) miraculously fell asleep.

All I can say is that's how it works. And yes, there were more struggles again the next day, but the pathway in my head that says "stop and pray" is getting stronger every day. And no, those prayers don't show up as a nanny who takes those problems away and lets me nap. Those prayers show up as grace for my mistakes, grace for my kids, and grace for the moment. Those prayers help me find another bit of patience, or wisdom and a new trick for this tantrum, or simply seeing and rejoicing in all the wonder of childhood.

Whatever your day brings, if this reminds you at any moment to stop and pray or reach for a Bible verse, I encourage you to do so. The more you do it, the more naturally it will come. And the more you can find Christ in the trenches with you. I don't promise any angels floating down with job offers, magical healing, or free nannies, because God is not in the business of making your life easier. But he is the in business of growing your character and drawing your heart closer towards him; of building the inward person—the undying soul—even when the outer wastes away. So I can promise you a God who wants to give you strength, wisdom, and joy.

Latest Reads:

Then Comes Marriage by Emily B. Riddle

This was a sweet book about a newly married couple navigating in-law struggles and life on a farm. Exactly what I would call beach read material. (While this was a clean, slightly religious read, there were faith aspects I disagree with.)

The Power of Writing It Down by Allison Fallon

I listened to this one on Spotify to help prepare for the presentation I gave. It had some excellent information and was very interesting, though as someone already passionate about writing, I only needed a little back-up, not quite the full convincing. I ended up skipping a few parts. Still a great resource for any writers though!

(By the way, if you use Spotify, they have an excellent selection of free audiobooks).

Grace in Chaos, by the Daily Grace Co.

This is the Bible study I referenced above, and I highly recommend it. It's worth gathering a group of friends to complete it with, if possible. The reviews each week were hugely helpful in keeping myself accountable and in getting encouragement and ideas for mothering.

If you're looking for some more Christian fiction to pick up this summer, join me for my next read! I'm grabbing Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble next, she's a wonderful Christian romantic suspense author.

Author Life:

In other exciting author news, I was featured in the local newspaper one Sunday this summer for the launch of my second book, Reaching for Grace.

I've been busy promoting Reaching for Grace and even have a fun new book trailer up on my social media here.

Also, save the date for the Word Wrangler Festival in Giddings, Texas at the end of September! On September 27 and 28, I'll be joined by a curated list of 25 Texas authors for book readings, talks, sales, and all things bookish. It's just about an hour outside of Austin, I hope to see some familiar faces there!

Most of this summer has been about enjoying lazy days with the kids, a few trips to see family, and preparing for the school year ahead. There's curriculum to pick out and now a co-op class to plan and lead this fall! It's been a joy, but I'm also ready to get back to focusing on writing and editing as we move forward with a third book in the works! More news on that to come.

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Thanks for joining me for a summer review, I hope the rest of your summer is filled with watermelon, swimming, and lounging around with the Olympics on in the background if that's your sort of thing!