Journal Gently: Spiritual Formation for Christian Women

When we go through difficult seasons like grief or anxiety or illness, we can find ourselves asking so many questions of God:

Why did this happen?

What am I supposed to do?

You said You're good, but this doesn't feel good.

You said You'd give me Your peace, but I don't feel Your peace. I feel turmoil. I feel anger.

And we ask these questions whether we are the ones who are struggling or if we're the ones loving a friend through a difficult season. It's hard to see those we love struggle, is it not?

Today, I wanted to explore that idea a little more. What happens when God goes silent? And how might we actually experience the very real presence of God in that silence?

Kari

RESOURCES:

• Poem: "Dark Night of the Soul," by John of the Cross
• Article: "My Experience with John of the Cross' Dark Night of the Soul," by Bill Gaultiere
• "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words." (Romans 8:26 NLT)
• "…a time to be silent and a time to speak." (Ecclesiastes 3:7 NIV)
• "Continue to throw everything in His direction." (Sarah Westfall)

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 Ways to Encounter God on the Pages of Your Journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God (Save $30 with seasonal code LDT30.)

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

Back in September, we went through a 4-part series about posturing our hearts to hear from God, and each heart posture started with the letter R.

The first R was ready. We talked about getting ready to meet with God—creating a physical space to have some time alone with Him but also creating an inner space and preparing our hearts to hear from Him.

The second R was recognize. We talked about recognizing God's voice, His presence, His invitation to you in that moment. What does God have to say to you?

The third R was receive. This was about receiving that truth, that promise, that invitation from Him. Accepting it, believing it.

And the fourth R was respond. We want to respond with obedience. Was there something God invited us to do? Did we do it? Did we demonstrate our trust or faith or surrender somehow?

But while I tried to be practical and specific, I know that sometimes, these things can be hard to understand unless you have an example to flesh it out a little bit.

I also know that one of the things you all ask about a lot is knowing if you're hearing God's voice or not. How do you know it's Him? How do you know it's not your own thoughts or even the enemy trying to trick you?

So when I experienced something recently, I knew I wanted to share it with you because it would demonstrate what I mean by some of those heart postures.

Here's what happened…

Kari

RESOURCES:

• Episode 82: Posturing Your Heart to Hear from God, Part 1: Ready
• Episode 83: Posturing Your Heart to Hear from God, Part 2: Recognize
• Episode 84: Posturing Your Heart to Hear from God, Part 3: Receive
• Episode 85: Posturing Your Heart to Hear from God, Part 4: Respond
• Episode 24: An Example in Spiritual Discernment and Decision Making: Going "All In" With Love Does That

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 Ways to Encounter God on the Pages of Your Journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God (Save $30 with seasonal code LDT30.)

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

On a recent trip, I realized there are plenty of ways to reach out to others even when you're far away—whether you're on vacation or with a family member who had to travel for medical treatment, or any number of reasons. Or maybe it's a loved one who lives too far from you for you to be able to see them in person.

And today, I wanted to share some of those long-distance encouragement ideas with you.

Because I know you. And while there definitely times we need to completely unplug from others and find refreshment in the Lord, there are also times when we need to reach out and let others know we care, even when we can't be there in person.

So what might encouragement on the go look like? Here are some ideas…

Kari

RESOURCES:

• Episode 88: Helping Others When You Have Limited Resources
• Article: 92 Ways to Encourage and Support Others
• Training: Courageous Care Masterclass: Learning how to C.A.R.E. for others

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 Ways to Encounter God on the Pages of Your Journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

I'm sure there are times when a friend of yours is going through a difficult season, and you really want to help. You feel like this is something God has called you to do and you're eager to show her how much you care.

But then you start going through your options:

Maybe you can spend some extra time with her. But you're too busy with family and work and volunteer commitments to really offer her much of your time.

Maybe you can send her a care package. But the budget's pretty tight this month and you don't have a lot of extra to spend. Even though you want to.

Maybe you can make her a special gift instead. But your creative energy is completely depleted, even if you did have a chance to sit down and craft something.

So how do you come alongside your friend when you're short on time, money, and energy? Well, that is going to take some prayerful discernment, my friend. Let's talk through some options.

Kari

BIBLE VERSES & RESOURCES:

• "Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:30 NLT)
• Episode 2: Discerning Who to Encourage
• Episode 27: The Cost of Caring for Others
• Episode 32: Using Pockets of Time in Your Schedule to Encourage Others
• Article: 92 Ways to Encourage and Support Others

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 Ways to Encounter God on the Pages of Your Journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

As I continue to lean into written spiritual direction, I've been reading letters of spiritual direction from people of the past. Namely, Francis de Sales and Padre Pio.

Francis de Sales lived during the 17th century and served for a time as the bishop of Geneva. Padre Pio, meanwhile, was an Italian priest from the 20th century.

I have enjoyed learning how these two men—and more like them, I'm sure—wrote letters to others in spiritual direction. They are the forerunners of my more modern-day style of spiritual direction, in which we use email to write back and forth.

Today, I want to share a couple of excerpts from their letters to others specifically about facing temptation. This is something we all obviously experience, and thinking about how to approach such temptation or how to stand strong against it is both useful to us and a way for us to strengthen our faith and spiritual lives.

Kari

BIBLE VERSES & RESOURCES:

• "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11 NLT)
• "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8 NLT)
• "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. And when you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT)
• "But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you." (2 Chronicles 20:17 NLT)
• "A time for war and a time for peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:8b NLT)
• "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10 NLT)
• Letters of Spiritual Direction, Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal
• Padre Pio's Spiritual Direction for Every Day, by Gianluigi Pasquale

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>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

While I'm thankful for having the Bible to read on my own, I also don't want to forget the power of having God's Word read over you. Have you ever sat and listened to someone read Scripture? Like, just read it over you, letting the Holy Spirit move and work in your heart?

Today, I wanted to offer that gift to you. I am going to read through three passages that speak of God as being our Good Shepherd. This is an image of Him that has spoken tremendously to me over the past several years, and the details and pictures the Bible gives us of being under His care… it's just beautiful.

As I read, I invite you to picture in the eye of your heart Jesus as your Good Shepherd. And I'll offer some prayer prompts at the end for you to hold before the Lord.

The three passages I'll be reading from are Ezekiel 34, Psalm 23, and John 10. I encourage you to quiet your heart and mind, sit in the silence with God for a moment, and ask Him to show you how He is your Good Shepherd. After I am finished, I will keep the music playing a bit longer, but I invite you to sit in the silence with God as long as He leads you.

Kari

BIBLE VERSES:

• Ezekiel 34:11-16a NLT
• Psalm 23:1-4 NLT
• John 10:1-5, 11-15 NLT

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 Ways to Encounter God on the Pages of Your Journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

Do you ever have thoughts like these?

You're not good enough.

You need to try harder.

Everything is fine.

I think we can all attest to moments when our thoughts are negative, unhelpful, and—worst of all—not true. But how do we even begin to turn things around?

Today, I'd like to introduce you to life coach and spiritual director Gem Fadling. Gem is one of the founding partners of an organization called Unhurried Living, where they train people to rest deeper, live fuller, and lead better. Gem just released a book entitled Hold That Thought, and it's all about sorting through the thoughts and voices inside our heads and letting God transform our minds.

This conversation seriously flew by, and I know it will be such a blessing to you. Be sure to check the show notes for a coupon code to save 30% on Gem's book and to connect with her on Instagram.

Without further ado, here is my chat with Gem.

Kari

MEET GEM:

Gem Fadling, CLC, is a founding partner of Unhurried Living, a non-profit that trains people to rest deeper, live fuller and lead better. She is a Certified Life Coach and a trained Spiritual Director who coaches women at the intersection of spiritual leadership and soul care. Gem is the host of the I Can Do That! Podcast as well as the co-author of What Does Your Soul Love? Eight Questions That Reveal God's Work in You, and author of Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads.

CONNECT WITH GEM:

• Website: Unhurried Living
• Instagram
• Save 30% and get free shipping through ivpress.com by using coupon code LDT22 within the next four weeks

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>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

Today, we are wrapping up a series about posturing our hearts to hear from God.

As women who are going through difficult seasons—or as those caring for those going through difficult seasons—we are constantly seeking God's guidance and presence, aren't we?

These four heart postures, each beginning with the letter R, help us to hear from God.

The first R was about getting ready to meet with God.

The second R was about recognizing God's voice and movement in our lives.

The third R was about receiving what it was God had for us, whether it was a promise from His Word or an invitation to trust or rest or forgive.

The fourth R, which we'll talk about today, is respond. We are called to respond to whatever it was God shared with us.

So not only are we accepting it, believing it, but we are willing to take action in regard to it. In most cases, this looks like good old-fashioned obedience.

Kari

BIBLE VERSES & RESOURCES:

• "If you love me, obey my commands." (John 14:15 NLT)
• "Those who accept my commands and obey them are the ones who love me." (John 14:21 NLT)
• "Those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him." (1 John 2:5 NLT)
• "The father instantly cried out, 'I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:24 NLT)
• Podcast episodes about discernment

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>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

We are on week 3 of a series about posturing our hearts to hear from God. Because as women who care for others, or as women who are going through a difficult season of our own, we are desperate to hear from God. We want to know that He's with us. We want to know what He wants us to do in this specific situation. We bring our questions and doubts to Him and wait for Him to answer.

And so we come to Him. We meet with Him.

The first R was about getting ready to meet with God. We want to prepare our physical space—getting rid of distractions and creating a sacred space that lends itself to being aware of God's presence—but we also want to prepare our inner space, our hearts. We want to look at our beliefs to see if we even believe God will speak to us or not, or look at our spirit to see if we're ready to hear whatever it is what He has to say to us—whether it's what we are wanting to hear or not.

The second R was about recognizing God's voice and movement in our lives. We want to be familiar with how He shows up. We want to distinguish His voice from the others. We want to sense His presence and invitations to us throughout the different seasons. This involves slowing down and paying attention to what is going on around us and inside of you.

So ready, recognize. Today we are going to talk about the third R: receive. We want to posture our hearts to receive whatever God has for us. What does that look like? How do we do that?

Kari

RESOURCES:

• Episode 61: Perceiving God's Presence and Love with Spiritual Director and Author Sharon Garlough Brown

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>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

Last week, we started a series all about posturing our hearts to hear from God. Specifically, we talked about the first R—ready—and how we can get both our physical space and our inner space, our hearts, ready to meet with God. In essence, we are preparing ourselves to hear from Him, especially in those moments when we are trying to discern a specific question or issue.

Today, we are going to talk about the second heart posture: recognize.

Recognize is all about learning how to recognize God's voice and movement in our lives. And it's a heart posture because it's about slowing down and paying attention to what God is doing and saying.

And this is probably one of the things that people question themselves on the most. How do I know this is God speaking to me? How do I know it's not just coincidence or someone else influencing me? How do I know it's not just my own thoughts and feelings? Or even the enemy?

Join me as I share a practical exercise and some basic principles on recognizing God's voice and movement in your life.

Kari

QUOTES, RESOURCES, + BIBLE VERSES:

• John 10:1-16: The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
• "When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him." (John 12:29 NLT)
• "Scripture is the written form of special revelation, providing God's people with an enduring witness to the work of God in Christ." (The Gospel Coalition)

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>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection