Hello, Hello! I had this post in mind for today as early as a couple of weeks ago. And then the last two nights hit and I knew I needed to talk about Bible journaling on Pinterest. As I mentioned recently when I talked about Bible journaling on Instagram, this is my happy place. The place I go to when the world feels big, noisy and super chaotic. Some sit by the ocean–I’m landlocked in the Midwest. Some go to fancy museums in the city–I don’t really like to leave my little farm and spend money. Some walk through the forest–I live happily on the plains. I do walk the fields during the day sometimes, but anyone who lives in the country can tell you, you never know what you may encounter late at night in the fields. So when I’m stressed, anxious or just uncomfortable in my own skin–you know that feeling right? I grab my Bible, I open it and run my hands over the pages of the living and active Word of God. I also look at Bible journaling on Pinterest.
I’m not a fixer-upper kind of gal, so home improvement and remodeling on Pinterest hold no appeal. I’m not a makeup or fashion kind of girl, so again, no interest. I am a Word girl, or a “Word Nerd” as the Illustrated Faith Bible Journaling Kit is called! I love it and will wear that name proudly! See to me, a nerd is someone who is obsessed with learning, and obsessed with learning one particular subject at that. I think someone calling me a Word–meaning Word of God nerd is one of the highest compliments I could ever receive; next to a nerd for? of? my husband and children–not sure which word to use there? But I so digress…let’s get back to Bible journaling on Pinterest.
Looking at Bible journaling on Pinterest in a lovely past-time…unless. I’m going to share a couple of scenarios and if you see yourself in them, get off Pinterest!
If you’re looking at other people’s Bibles and not your own, you need to get off Pinterest. If you’re comparing your Bible journaling to other people’s Bible journaling and getting discouraged, you need to walk away from your computer or phone. If you’re looking at all the examples and are afraid to even start for fear of messing up, you need to get off Pinterest. Those feelings of fear, discouragement, comparison or even jealousy are not from God!
Now, if you’re looking at Bible journaling on Pinterest and you feel inspired or calmed, that’s a good thing. But I do have a suggestion for you, an important suggestion honestly. If you can, scroll through Pinterest with your Bible. If you’re inspired by a beautiful Bible journaling page you see on Pinterest, open your Bible to that page. I know this may sound silly–it’s not. Again, the Scriptures state the Word of God is living and active, that’s why we’re drawn to it and I don’t want you only drawn to someone else’s Bible. I want you to see those same words, the same Word, in your own hands.
The reason for this? It’s not the journaling or the art that holds any power, it’s the Word. And not only the Word, but the recognition of the time someone spent in the Word, WITH the WORD. You can do that too. Yours may not be creative or decorative like what you’re looking at, but it’s still powerful. Does that make any sense? I hope so. And even if it doesn’t, just try it and see for yourself.
I had a great, although painful reminder of this the other night. It’s been a while since I’ve had an all out anxiety attack–heart thumping so hard and fast I was sure it was coming out of my chest or going to just wear itself out and stop, body aching, fuzzy headed, scared silly, wanting to walk out of my own skin and pull all my hair out. I know some of you know what I’m talking about. Well, I had one, set off by the stupidest thing. I will say though, I’m convinced it wasn’t just a physical reaction. I know that I know there was a spiritual element involved.
There was no way I could stay in bed with all that going on in my body. I got up and went to my computer. I pulled up a favorite worship song and put it on repeat, concentrating on every word, especially when the song got to the lyrics, “It is well, with my soul.”
Remember, Bible journaling on Pinterest can be a wonderful encourager. Please be aware and on guard for the enemy to use it as a tool for discouragement.
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