You know how when things seem hard, or hectic, or you just a mental refresh? Some people walk in the woods, sit by the ocean, hike a mountain, or wander through a garden, well, I get the same results looking at Bible Journaling on Instagram. I know, nature verse social media…but I don’t live near woods, oceans, mountains or have a garden. I live on the plains. Plus I have a serious fear of snakes. When I see one, I start quoting the Scripture about how there will be enmity between the women and the serpent and although I know God is talking about Mary, Jesus’ Mother, in that moment, I pretend it’s me because I’ve got some serious enmity going on for that snake! I don’t like bugs and I have another serious fear–ticks. Why God, Why are they so small and elusive and tickish?!? What was their purpose before the Fall Lord? I digress…Bible Journaling on Instagram is lovely and peaceful and bug-free. Plus it’s portable. It’s also inspiring and makes me want to open my Bible or journal and try new things.
I will start by address the major con to browsing Bible Journaling on Instagram, comparison. Yes, I am guilty of it. I look at beautiful journaling and think one of two things: “I’ll never be able to that!” Or, “I can totally do that!” The problem is, I totally can’t. And that’s a good thing. God did not make me an exact copy of someone so there’s no reason why my creativity should be an exact copy of theirs. Once I get over my initial disappointment because my Bible Journaling doesn’t look like theirs, I can focus on the fact that I just spent some beautiful one-on-one time with God.
Now that we have that out of the way and to summerize–Don’t compare your beauty and creativity to someone else because God–in His infinite wisdom and creativity–made you totally different. And honestly, that actually might be kind of insulting to a creator if we were to say, “Thanks for making me, me, but really I want to be her.” So, without comparison, let’s look at some Bible Journaling on Instagram examples.
Look how pretty this one is. If you think Bible Journaling has to be hard or intricate, look at this sweet example. It’s made with colored pencils and a picture you could easily trace from a children’s coloring book. We can do this!
Here’s another example of simple, lovely, relatable, Bible Journaling. As the saying goes, “Jesus and Coffee!” Again, we can totally do this! I love that this express the Scriptures so well without a lot of “extras.” So for people who say they can’t afford Bible Journaling, um, yes you can.
At first glance, this may look harder than it is. But if you pay attention, it’s alphabet stickers, some washi tape, some stamping, and some die-cuts or cards that have been cut and glued on the page. Again, we can totally do this! Especially using the Bible Journaling Kits from Illustrated Faith.
Although I’m not a personal fan of covering the Scriptures, some are and there’s nothing wrong with it. I thought this example was so crative and at first glance made me think, “I can totally do that!” After looking closer, maybe…maybe not. Mine might end up looking like my five year old drew an ear of corn in my Bible. But here’s the beauty of that…who cares! I’ll flip through my Bible one day and remember the time I spent meditating on the Psalm as I tried to draw a silly ear of corn like the Bible Journaling on Instagram I saw.
Now this example is so far out of my league it’s not even…it’s so funny…whatever. But it is beautiful. I’m not sure what the caption read because it was in German (maybe?) but it made me stop immediately and want to know what verse, chapter or book the creative soul was spending time with.
This Bible Journaling wasn’t even done in a Bible. And I like it! I actually love it. It’s creative and wordy. It’s in a separate book–an Illustrated Faith Planner–so your Bible stays intact, or uncluttered, or clean from year to year. I wonder if I would have started Bible Journaling when I was up to my ears in anxiety and obsessive thoughts if I would still want what I was processing creatively in my Bible? I know some like the reminder. For me, it just brings it all back up. I’d rather strive to what lies ahead and forget what’s behind.
This is a pretty example of Bible Journaling on Instagram. Some simple shapes, soft colors, and neat penmanship, proof that you don’t need to know how to do all the fancy handlettering. If you do, that’s great! If you don’t but want to, that’s great too! But if you don’t know how and don’t want to learn or don’t have the time, that’s great too!
Here’s a great idea to keep your Bible Journaling in your Bible, without writing in your Bible. Using little scrapbook cards or memory cards. You could also use 3×5 cards, pretty cardstock or blank pieces of paper cut to whatever size you wanted. Add a piece of pretty washi tape and your Bible Journaling! This idea also works great if you don’t have a journaling Bible with wide margins. I also have some free Bible Journaling Printables for email subscribers. Print these, hole punch these and get started.
Finally, Bible Journaling can look any way you want it to look. Does this look familiar? It’s a picture I took of my large print Bible for the Bible Journaling Tips, Inspiration, and Permission ebook. This is still considered Bible Journaling on Instagram y’all. There’s no art, fancy lettering, tip-ins or even pretty washi tape. I just used a pen and highlighters. And on those rought days that I mentioned above, opening this Bible and running my hand along the Word, is a natural anti-anxiety and anti-depressent for my chaotic mind, heart, and soul.
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