“I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When I taught Eighth Grade and High School students, I used journal entries to get my students to share their thoughts and ideas with me. I would tell my students to write themselves a letter about what they were experiencing (feelings, mistakes, upsetting conversations, misunderstandings, anything that was bothering them). Then I told them to put it in a drawer or a place where no one else would see it. Leave it there for long enough that they no longer thought about the writing.

I would do this myself, and when I found it sometime later, I was amazed at the fact that not only my feelings were changed but also, by my doing that, I had not hurt anyone else’s feelings. It helped me tremendously and resulted in better and calmer relationships! It is like a “cooling down” period and no one else has to know! Now, I talk to God. He always listens and makes me feel better.

I have often heard from former students who used this technique to deal with life, and I am amazed at some of the stories they share. Almost without exception, the results are always positive. How much better relationships can be when we resist instant reactions and let a little time soften our responses. Fewer misunderstandings and less stress from anger can be the result.

In the same way, writing about the success we experience can make those precious moments and memories more meaningful and enriching. We learn to cherish the memories and experiences while lessening the misunderstandings and broken feelings. Talking to Our Heavenly Father about what is happening in our lives is a blessing for us and a wonderful way to celebrate our Father God.

Please pray for me and all God’s Children, as I am praying for you.