Hey friends, have you ever been in a funk that you just don’t know how to get out of? I want to encourage you to grab a pen and a journal and do some hidden journaling and write out a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to intercede. I’ve been in a little funk lately, I don’t know if it’s just because it’s been a rough couple months or because we’ve been so busy with our schedule this summer or both. I have a feeling it’s a little bit of both. We’ve been so busy that I haven’t had our normal afternoon “quiet time” where I separate the kids and they can do whatever they want but they have to be quiet. This is usually my time where I can sit down and do a little faith journaling and just rest and spend quality time with God. Also, with the death of our friend, I still feel like I’m grieving over how tough this year has been. Let’s just say, I forgot my word for the year, “breathe”.
I can’t tell you how therapeutic this hidden journaling prayer was for me. It was basically a confession that I’ve been so focused on myself and this funk I’ve been on instead of fixing my eyes on the only one that matters, my Savior, Jesus. I’m excited to share with you one of my favorite things to do to just let it all out…
First, I grab a journal… in this case my Praise Book. I find a blank page and just start writing. At this point I don’t know how much I’m going to cover up and with it being a very personal prayer and outcry to God, I make it messy. This time is between me and God and I don’t ever want anyone else to read it. The messy handwriting is therapeutic in itself. It feels good to just let it all out on paper.
Then comes my favorite part. I grab my paints and paint cards and just start covering it all up. Gosh, that feels good. I also love that you can still see a little bit of my handwriting behind it. I add a few layers of paint so it isn’t completely transparent but transparent enough that you can still see there is something hidden there. I still want to remember that I had this conversation with God to start out.
After, it’s dried, I grabbed some postcards. I just really like the messages on them. I layered them over the top of the journaling. You can still see some of the paint peeking out.
Then comes more fun… grab those die cuts and other paper pieces and stickers and just start layering them on top and all around. I feel sooooo much better now. I turned an ugly prayer into an encouraging message to myself.
Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Praise Book | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Precision Pen | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Shanna’s Favorite Paint Set | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Paint It Paint Cards | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Tape Runner | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Blessings by Mail Postcards – Encouragement and She Blooms | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd She Blooms Die Cut Prompts | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd She Blooms Icons
As I began reading and thinking about your post, Heather, it reminds me of how we are to leave it in God’s hands and not pick certain things back up. This is an awesome way to give your hurt and pain to God. God is our covering and healer. Thank you so much for sharing. I am already planning my quiet time with God and how I need to release my past totally to God and remember that He has justified me and no one else.
Love, love, love this! I did something similar in my art/prayer journal. I wrote what I was grieving in prayer over and then painted a deep red heart over it so that I couldn’t see it anymore. You know what? I can’t even remember what it was now. Jesus took my burden and gave me peace. I can’t wait to do it again and make it cuter this time:)
Thank you for this post. I am going to try this technique. I too lost a very dear friend a few months ago and have been mourning his loss deeply. I need to turn this over to God. You’ve inspired me. Bless you.
This is so PERFECT! I have never gotten into the habit of journaling or writing down prayers because I feel very word “unworthy”! Using this method, I can write my heart out to Jesus then COVER UP THE WORDS! I love it! Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for this post Heather! I tried a bit of hidden journaling last night, and I’m going to share the process next week in my church’s Bible journaling class. There is something so healing about this. Praise God!
Wow just gave me a new Idea to do with my new journals I love it colors are so beautiful thanks