Journaling With God

Read

Isaiah 53:3 “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with our pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”

Think

When I was little, I kept two journals. Each morning, I’d pull out one prayer journal, where I wrote words of gratitude, thanks, and praise to God. In my other journal, though, I scribbled down my honest thoughts, frustrations, and questions—the messier side of life. That one stayed hidden under lock and key, a place where I poured out my pain and fears, convinced these were things God wouldn’t want to see. I thought I had to keep them separate—one journal for praise and another for pain—because bringing my brokenness to God felt like a risk.

But life doesn’t stay neatly divided. As I grew older, experiences began to blur the lines: heartbreak, loss, and disappointments that seemed too heavy to leave in silence. Maybe you know the feeling, too—the quiet nights when you ask, Where are You, God? Or the days when a hidden ache seems to linger, a longing for answers that never come. Sometimes, saying, “I’m fine” feels easier than bringing our unfiltered hearts to God. Yet we’re left wondering if God truly sees us and if he’s there for the unpolished parts of our lives.

The beauty of Jesus’ life on earth is that he understands our pain firsthand. He knew the ache of betrayal, the weight of grief, and the loneliness of carrying burdens that didn’t have easy answers. His life shows us faith isn’t about hiding our pain or pretending we’re okay. Instead, it’s about bringing our true selves to God, trusting he loves and accepts us completely—even when we struggle.

What if, instead of hiding our pain, we brought it into the light of God’s presence? Each doubt, tear, and vulnerable whisper becomes a sacred act of trust, a way of saying. I believe you want all of me, not just the tidy parts. God doesn’t need perfect words; he wants our whole hearts as we are. In his presence, we find the freedom to be fully seen and fully loved—grateful, grieving, and honest.

Apply

Today, try writing down a specific worry, frustration, or question you haven’t brought to God. Take a moment to pray honestly about it, trusting that he cares about every part of you.

Pray

Lord, thank you for loving me just as I am. Help me come to you openly, sharing my joys and struggles. Remind me that you’re near when I feel broken and that you care about every part of my life. Give me the courage to trust you with difficult things and remember that you experienced the brokenness of this world, too. In Jesus name. Amen.