Personal Application
Finding your purpose is the first step in living a life filled with joy . But knowing your purpose doesn ’ t prompt joy to flood your emotions . Acting on your purpose does .
One thing that keeps me on track is a journal . I have my mission statement for my life written in it where I can see it every day . I have my goals listed there , as well as the practical ways that I will fulfill them . And I keep a daily record of my thoughts and fears and emotions . I note how the Lord is working in my life , what he is teaching me and how . I write down my mistakes , as well as my blessings . feelings on a separate piece of paper and then shred it . In my journal , I may make notations of which I alone know the meaning . But when it comes to the day-to-day lived experience of faith and action , a journal is a great way to see how you are progressing on your goals . It helps you see how far you have come and how far you have to go .
Keeping a journal helps me do two things . First , it forces me to think through what I am feeling and what I am experiencing . And second , it allows me to look back through the past years to see how God has worked in my life and ministry .
A journal is for oneself , not others . Some things are so personal that they never should be shared . In those cases , I write my thoughts and
Phil Waldrep is the founder and CEO of Phil Waldrep Ministries and the wildly popular Women of Joy , Gridiron and Celebrators conferences . Waldrep ’ s vision to speak encouragement into the lives of people unite powerful Bible teachers and speakers now inspires nearly 60,000 annual attendees . He is also author of the acclaimed parenting book , Reaching Your Prodigal .
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