3 Benefits of Journaling for Healing from Past Trauma

Scripture

Journaling is a great way to reflect, grow, and heal. For six years, I have been working through past hurts by journaling. By journaling my feelings, God’s word, and His personal promises, I have experienced healing in my heart and validation for what I went through. It has been a sluggish process, like a slow drip, but the fruit of journaling for healing is evident.

Often, what I write seems redundant to onlookers, but it's my way of getting onto paper what I can’t talk about with others. Much like when the teacher catches you talking in class and has you write on the chalkboard a thousand times, I won’t talk in class. The lesson the teacher hoped to have taught you was to be quiet in class. However, trauma is an attack on one’s voice, and speaking about what happened helps them find their voice again.

But what if you have dealt with something too hard to talk about with others?

There’s an alternative: talking to God about it and journaling. For me, talking to God about it, writing it out alongside His truth, and rehearsing His promises of restoration has brought healing to my heart. In this post, I am going to share with you the three-step healing process I am using through journaling. There’s no quick fix for a hurting heart. These steps are more like lather, rinse, repeat, until you feel whole again.

Let’s look at three benefits of journaling for healing from past trauma.

1.     Validation

When you have gone through a traumatic experience, there are two things that are present: the need for validation and the constant need to mull it over in your mind. God understands this and is so patient. As I study the scriptures, I've found that God is aligning what I went through with scripture, validating me. Jesus has helped me see my pain through His perspective.

Relating my story to those in the scriptures has helped me validate my experience and given me a view of God's redemptive side. Giving me hope and a blueprint for voicing my pain more clearly. For example, the prayers in the Book of Psalms and the truths in Proverbs. These have been my favorite books as I work through difficult feelings. I have probably written out the pain, relatable verses, and God’s promises of restoration over a thousand times—no exaggeration. Through this, I have memorized God’s personal promises to me, as well as scriptures that have spoken to my pain. Since I wrote down these healing words, I can retrieve them when I need them.

We have a list of ten Bible Verses and guided prayers for healing and restoration to get you started journaling. Click here.

2.     Alignment with God’s Promises and Truth

At some point, you must believe God's Word and align yourself with Him. It is easy to write healing words, but hard to apply this truth to your day-to-day life. This is where you recite the promises He has made to you and speak them into existence. You wait for your faith to become sight and visceral. Many times, this means revisiting my journals to remind myself of what He has said and how far He has brought me. The hope of a new day where you no longer feel the sting of pain. With each passing day, the heartache lessens, and the hope for a bright new day comes into view. Redemption is a beautiful thing to witness. God is faithful! I have seen this truth: God works all things out for our good.

3.     Patience and Perseverance

I’m sure you have heard the old saying, “Time heals all wounds.” Emotional wounds run deeper than physical ones, and time does not erase the mental toll of past scars. However, as time passes and I dig deeper into Scripture, the pain starts to subside. God has been patient as I continue to reflect on the past and present, receive validation upon validation, and look forward to full restoration. I need to be patient as I wait on Him for the finished work, and with myself as I step into a new day, trusting once again that He will finish the good work that He has begun in me. 

I’m so thankful that God is a patient Father who will walk us through our darkest nights into a new dawn. You can’t go wrong when you lean on Him. Bring your hurts to Him, for He knows how to heal a hurting heart. I have not fully recovered, but I’m a lot further along the healing process than I was six years ago. I can see the rainbow, the promise of a better day fast approaching!

You may find these resources on Bible verses for Depression and Forgiveness helpful for journaling.

 Meet Our Guest Writer

EO Writes is an author, illustrator, and coach. A wife, mother, and grandmother who enjoys traveling with her husband on their Harley throughout the United States.

Her passion is teaching truth through her art and writing. She hopes to publish her novel, Ancient Text in late 2027.

You can learn more about her at: https://www.eowrites.com. 

Peruse her books at: https://www.amazon.com/stores/EO-Writes/author/B0DPB2YK8W

Or listen to her podcast, A Writer’s Call.

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