Truth Journaling

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Every week during our 21-day Holiday Challenge we will be Truth Journaling. If you are new to Truth Journaling, think of it as a tool we can use to “take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.” It’s a simple yet powerful exercise that allows the truth of God’s word to do it’s work in our lives, transforming our thought life by making it obedient to Christ.

Here’s how it works in 5 Simple Steps:

1. Spill out your thoughts. No filter.

2. Number each thought.

3. Identify each thought as either a truth or a lie by marking each one with a T or an F; and then write down a truth for each lie.

4. Find Scripture to support the truths.

5. Write a short Scripture prayer or Affirmation to meditate on each time that lie resurfaces.

Here’s an example to get us started:

Step 1&2:

Spill out my thoughts and number each thought:

I’m tired of struggling with my weight (1). I wish I were done (2). This feels like it’s too hard (3) and it will take forever (4).

Step 3 &4:

Identify each thought with a T or an F and write down the truth for each lie with Scripture to support the truth:

#1-T This is true. This is a normal feeling to have when trying to change. (Hebrews 12:11a}-No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful.

#2-T This is a true feeling but wishing something will happen won’t make it happen. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and I must persevere to accomplish difficult things in my life. (Philippians 3:13-14) …but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ.

#3-T & F This is true and false. In my own power, this IS too hard. However, I am not doing this in my own power but relying on God to give me the strength and endurance to accomplish this difficult task. (Genesis 18:14) Is anything too hard for the LORD? (Matthew 19:26) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

#4-F The only way this will take forever is if I give up. God gives me the strength to endure and not give up. (Galatians 6:9) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Step 5:

Write an Affirmation or Scripture Prayer:

Scripture Prayer: Nothing is too hard for You, Lord! On my own, staying in my food boundaries would be impossible, but I know that with YOU all things are possible. So, I will not become weary in doing good. I will forget the failures of my past and trust You, Lord, as I strain forward to what lies ahead. Thank you for giving me everything I need to accomplish what You have called me to. I believe I can do all things through you, Jesus, because You are my strength. Amen

Okay, that’s it. What lies are you believing, and what does God say about it? Let’s take Him at His word and allow Him to demolish the strongholds that keep us stuck.