We talk so much about journaling when we are sad. We talk about journaling when we are uncertain.
We know our journal is a refuge for our heavy mind. We know it’s a holding space for our honest prayers. We run to the page when we are sad. We know it instinctively.
But what about when we are happy? What about when we are filled with joy?
The Fear of the Good
What do you do when life is good? When the prayer is answered. When the news is hopeful. When the day is just peaceful.
If you’re like me, it can feel strange.
Sometimes, my first instinct is a quiet, anxious fear. I worry that this won’t last. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Sometimes, it is a quiet guilt. “Am I allowed to be this happy? Others are struggling.”
Sometimes, I just forget. I get so caught up in the living. I forget to anchor it.
So, my journal stays closed. It becomes a tool only for my crisis. It is not for my calm.
A Holy Practice
Yet, processing our joy is just as sacred as processing our grief.
In fact, it might be one of the most powerful faith practices we have.
It’s how we practice 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…”
Giving thanks in the “good” is not just a “nice-to-have.” It is a holy, active part of our faith.
- Gratitude. Journaling our joy is an act of gratitude. It is “noticing the manna.“
- Savoring. Journaling our joy is an act of savoring. It is our “Mary” heart. We are “pondering these things.”
- Building. Most importantly, journaling our joy is an act of “Ebenezer”-building. It is our “Stone of Help.”
We are intentionally creating a storehouse of light. We carry it with us into the next uncertain season.
Prompts for a “Joyful” Heart
When life is good, your journaling doesn’t have to be long. It just has to be intentional.
- The “Anchor” (For the Anxious Joy): “This good thing is happening. The ‘other shoe’ I’m afraid will drop is… I am quietly handing that fear to God. I choose to be present in this grace.”
- The “Savor” (The Manna Hunt): “I want to savor this. What does this joy feel like in my body? What are the tiny details? (The warmth in my chest? The sound of the laughter? The specific, beautiful color?)”
- The “Ebenezer” (The Evidence Log): “I am logging this as ‘Evidence’ of God’s goodness. My simple, one-sentence prayer of pure ‘thank you’ is…”
- The “Ripple” (The Shared Joy): “Who is one person I can share this joy with? Who can I thank for being part of it? (A quick text. A note.)”
Your Action Point: The “Joy Log”
Your action is to create your own “Evidence Log” of goodness.
- Turn to a fresh, new page in your journal.
- Title it: “My Joy Log” or “My Ebenezer of Grace.”
- Rule: This page is not for your uncertainties. It is only for your “manna.”
- Write. Your only action is to add one-sentence entries. Add “tiny joys” or “big wins” as they happen.
- That text from my friend.
- The house was quiet for 10 whole minutes.
- The big prayer was answered.
This is your “storehouse of light.”
The next time you are uncertain. The next time God feels silent.
Your first action is to read this page.
With grace, Debbera
