Journaling Exercises: Junior Year
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Seeking Calmness
It is often difficult to find a sense of peace throughout our day when stressors stemming from our class work, jobs, and relationships seem to preoccupy our busy lives.
We have all heard of "the eye of the storm," the center of solitude and calm in the midst of the chaos of nature's furies. Each of us also has a place of calm centered deep within our being, the place at the heart of us that is always tranquil despite outer conditions. Many struggle with life's upheavals and "storms" without knowing how to find that center which allows us to make more informed decisions and choices, free from the whirlwinds of thoughts and emotion. Draw near to the Lord and have faith that He will be with you in the storm. Remember in Matthew 8:25-27 when the disciples grew afraid in the storm and Jesus was sleeping?
“The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We're going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’”
Reflect on these verses and allow the Lord to be your peace.
Take up a new activity this month that is relaxing and allows you to spend time with the Lord, such as journaling, walking in nature, or your own idea that can help restore a sense of connection and peace.
Journey to Achieving Goals
Have you ever found yourself creating a goal and wondering about how it would be when you got "there?"
So many times we have an image of how it would be when we accomplished something and then have been disappointed when we actually got "there." The experience didn't measure up to the dream. All that happens is that we then establish another "there" to go toward. It can be a frustrating cycle.
We must remember that it isn't the "there" that is important. It's not the destination, but the journey, that is important. What we need to be aware of and tend to is the journey toward that goal and what we learn about ourselves along that way. Everything happens as you are getting "there."
- Think back to a time when you set a goal for yourself.
- Relive that experience through writing and ask yourself, "What did I learn along the way?"
- How has that experience helped to shape who you are today?
Shine
Believe the Lord has created you in His image. As you reflect on this quote by Nelson Mandela, think particularly about its implications for your life in service to Christ and His Church, as well as to the world He created and loves.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
