Journaling Through January: That's A Wrap

I can't thank you enough for following along last month! 

As a way to wrap up the month, I wanted to provide one place where you can see all 31 prompts to either start journaling this month or use an inspiration in the future!

[I have been pondering a way to keep up the journaling theme around here. I'd love to do more journal story features if you're interested. And I'm still thinking up a few more posts. I was considering posting a week's worth of prompts on Sundays. Is that something you'd be interested in?]

• Day 1: Write down your New Year's Resolutions. How can you set yourself up for success? Write down a prayer thanking God for his blessings this new year. Ask him to come along side you as you start a new 365 day journey.
• Day 2: What were some challenges you faced last year? Write about those challenges, what you learned, and how God used them to strengthen your spirit.
• Day 3: What are the top 5 things you are looking forward to in 2012? If you're feeling creative, you could draw a little picture to go with each item.
• Day 4: What is the greatest fear you have going into this year?
• Day 5: Look at what you wrote yesterday. Now write down a prayer to God asking Him to take away your fear and fill you with His peace.
• Day 6: Make a list of "currently's."Currently listening to, wearing, feeling, wanting, needing, thinking, enjoying, praying.
• Day 7: What are you grateful for this new year? Make a list and considering adding to it throughout the month as you become aware of God's abundance in your life.
• Day 8: What are three (or more) things you love about yourself? Write them down and look back at them whenever you're struggling to find self worth. Take a minute to write this in your journal: "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:3-8
• Day 9: Imagine you are talking to someone who has never heard of Jesus. How would you explain Him? What would you say?
• Day 10: Write a letter of thanks to someone who impacted you last year. You can leave the letter as a page in your journal or tear it out and give it to them.
• Day 11: Write about an experience that was particularly tough. But more importantly, write about how that experience made you stronger.
• Day 12: We are called to use our gifts and talents to fulfill the work of the Lord. What are your gifts? How can you use them this year? "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10
• Day 13: What is your favorite book? Write about the lessons you learned from it or how has is shaped who you are.
• Day 14: Make a list of 10 books you would like to read this year.
• Day 15: Write out your favorite bible verse. Why is it important to you? How does it play a role in your life?
• Day 16: What is your biggest regret? Pray and ask God to bring you peace in this area. Write this in your journal: "The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace." Psalm 29:11
• Day 17: In your journal, write a letter of forgiveness to someone or for something that you need to let go of. Give it to God instead.
• Day 18: What is one thing you'd like to shout from the rooftops today?
• Day 19: Begin a 2012 "bucket list." What are those special things you want to do this winter, spring, summer, and fall?
• Day 20: Write down a list of goals for your blog this year. Try using the S.M.A.R.T. goal model, making sure goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.
•  Day 21: Make another list of "currently's." Currently listening to, wearing, feeling, wanting, needing, thinking, enjoying, praying.
• Day 22: Write about what friendship means to you. Make a plan for how you can strengthen your friendships this year.
• Day 23: Looking back, is there a time when you can see how God's grace and favor was upon your life?
• Day 24: You choose: a. write a letter to your children or someday children telling them what you hope for their lives. OR b. write a letter to your younger self telling her of what to look forward to.
• Day 25: What is your favorite movie and why? What are movies you'd like to see this year?
• Day 26: If you had 1 million dollars that you had to spend, but you couldn't spend it on yourself, what would you do?
• Day 27: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:27-29 What do you believe is the Lord's purpose and calling over your life?
• Day 28: If you could escape winter and go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
• Day 29: When you think of the word "comfort," what comes to mind?
• Day 30: We've written about the Lord's blessings in our lives. Now write about how you can be a blessing to others.
• Day 31: The word "remember" appears in the bible over 160 times."Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 2 Corinthians 9:6 "Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’" Acts 11:15-17 "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"Acts 20:34-36 What about our Lord will you remember this year? What reminder will you carry with you about the character of Jesus? 

If you need help getting started, here are a few posts from last year:

My Journaling Story

How To Pick A Journal

Where to Begin

There's Got to Be Another Way