A Creative Life in Writing

A creative life that includes writing has emotional and physical benefits. Studies suggest only 20 minutes a few times a week can boost your immune system, relieve stress, refocus your perspective, and diminish persistent anxiety.

But not all writing needs to be emotional venting sessions. Yes, it’s good to let it out, but then let it go. Understand your feelings, focus on gratitude, and live in forgiveness, all with the help of God’s grace and promises.

Journaling can include many forms of expression. Gratitude journals focus on thanks and praise. Bible journals represent the way God moves through our lives.

Activity: Start a new kind of journal.

Explore ideas with these links:

Beyond journaling, try some creative writing. Haikus are short, unrhymed poems that invoke a vivid image.

Although the Japanese form has structured rules, western authors tend to leave those behind.

Activity: Try writing a Haiku.

Perhaps you have always dreamed of writing a book. I want to write a children’s book. To begin, I recommend visiting TameYourBook.com. (Full disclosure, this is my husband’s website!) Grant will help you focus ideas, get organized, and tame your project.

Activity: Spend some time on your favorite bookseller’s website or at a bookstore to inspire your book dreams.

What would life be without words? In John 1:1 Jesus is described as the Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Words bring us knowledge, hope, comfort, and help us communicate love and care. Take some time to find your words, your voice. Let the Holy Spirit whisper Psalms 33:4 in your ear, “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.”

Be still and know,
God is in the heavens.
Be still and know,
God is in the earth.

His majesty is in the mountains,
His creativity in the sea.
I see Him in the tender ways,
He shows His love for me.

He sends the rain for lilies,
Feeds sparrows in the field.
He protects me with His angels,
His righteousness my shield.

He sent His son among us,
His sacrificial lamb.
To restore me to His presence,
Before the great “I am.”

His Holy Spirit guides me,
Along the path of life.
Whispering with wisdom,
To banish darkness with His light.

He’s all that came before me,
He’s all when I am done.
Yet he made me to last forever,
By the blood of His precious son.

Be still, be still, and know.

Dana Ferguson

What’s your favorite type of journal or kind of creative writing? Share below!