“You must remember that your story matters. What you write has the power to save a life, sometimes that life is your own.” Stalina Goodwin
I’ve always enjoyed writing—keeping a journal of memories and prayers since I was thirteen, excelling in English classes throughout school, and creating stories or poems from time to time. My writing has always been an outlet for me to express myself; it has never been
something I did to entertain others (other than appeasing professors when writing studious papers). Yet through my passion for writing, the Lord has given me an incredible opportunity to publicly share my testimony and tell my story.
While I was writing the third draft of my memoir last fall, I stopped to pen these thoughts:
“Sometimes, I just stop and think.
I ponder what’s on my mind or what’s distracting me from my work.
Sometimes I find a revelation.
Other times I just let my mind make space.
When I allow myself to stop and think, I find the most relief in writing.
Writing brings clarity.
Writing relieves the swirling.
Writing releases my feelings.
Writing opens a door to understanding…”
“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” Anne Frank
The Power of Writing
"From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward." Proverbs 12:14
There’s something so freeing about writing—expressing vulnerable thoughts, releasing emotional burdens, describing special memories, and mentioning hopeful dreams. I feel somewhat powerful whenever I hold a pen in my hand, the vicious stroke or gentle glide of my wrist directing every frustration, joy, shame, excitement, and sorrow onto the welcoming blank pages of my journal. Though my words convey meaning and context, my handwriting and misspellings can also reveal how I felt while writing particular entries, displaying the vulnerability of my emotions first-hand.
Writing provides a mental reprieve and an emotional outlet like no other. When I’m angry and journal my feelings, I can feel the tension vacate from my shoulders. If I’m sad, tears will often fall onto the pages of my writing, relieving my heart of its sorrow. When I journal happy memories, a sense of excitement and pleasure bubbles up from my gut as I smile and reminisce the joy of those moments.
The act of physically writing is a therapeutic practice that alleviates stress, worries, fears, and burdens from my conscience. As I release these emotional pressures through written words, I eliminate their control of my mental attitude and redirect my thoughts toward positive truths.
The Power of Words
“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.” Albus Dumbledore
Words are an incredible concept! They are abstract yet concrete, powerful yet simple, inspiring yet discouraging, and positive yet destructive. Using words with intention is a powerful tactic to combat negative thoughts, accurately express oneself, and communicate clearly with others.
I absolutely love synonyms! I find it fascinating how each word has its own precise meaning yet can relate to other words and sometimes be used in different contexts. Definitions of words intrigue me, too. Understanding exactly what a word means helps me use it more effectively to communicate my thoughts, feelings, and desires.
If you think about it, words are a huge part of our lives. We hear words, read words, repeat words, believe words. Words influence the development of our beliefs, personal values, and opinions. They aren’t just written or spoken gibberish; words are expressions of precise thoughts, emotions, ideas, and viewpoints.
In her book Killing Comparison, Nona Jones says that “what we believe in our hearts matters more than what we know in our minds.” I believe that the beliefs we hold in our hearts come from the words spoken into our lives. The words we use to communicate, discuss, debate, express, and validate are extremely impactful. Therefore, we must use words with intention, understand their influence, and apply them appropriately.
Words have the potential to stay with us forever; they can make a lasting impact from the moment they're read, spoken, or believed. We must consider the influence words have whenever we communicate with others or self-talk to ourselves. Words have the power to transform lives, so we must use them thoughtfully.
"Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Being a Writing Hero
“You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.” F. Scott Fitzgerald
Being a writer is a courageous craft. It puts your most treasured ideas and vulnerable stories out into the world for anyone and everyone to read. When you publish your written thoughts, you let the world critique your writing and receive (or reject) your story. The most influential part about being a writer is relating to readers through authentic connections. Realizing that your advice and honesty can make a difference in someone else's life is a liberating and humbling opportunity.
Several months ago, I was amid revisions of the latest draft of my memoir, and I began to reflect on the necessity of self-expression. I journaled this entry detailing the importance of communicating your inner voice:
“…There is so much power in expressing your voice, those inner thoughts and feelings occupying your mind and soul. Speaking, writing, singing, shouting, letting our voices be heard is essential! Releasing yourself into the atmosphere—your worries, thoughts, beliefs, questions, dreams, and opinions—brings freedom and clarity. Keeping those things inside you only leads to confusion, doubt, and uncertainty, and it inhibits the positive influence you can make by sharing yourself with others. Releasing your voice requires courage, honesty, vulnerability, and trust. Yet, you can gain confidence, healing, encouragement, and motivation by letting others hear your voice! Share authentically. Share boldly. Share kindly. Share transparently. Express what’s inside of you so that others know who you are. Let yourself out so that you can truly be you.”
Writing is not only an outlet for self-expression, but it is an authentic way to communicate with others. You can be as vulnerable, honest, guarded, or vague as you want because writing is whatever you make it! It can be private self-reflection or public announcements. You can discuss personal matters or everyday topics. No matter what you choose to write, let it be an expression of who you are, what you believe, and how your personal experiences have influenced your life.
Personally, writing is a therapeutic hobby that inspires me to be myself. The more I’m honest with myself, express my deepest emotions, and accept God’s grace in being who He created me to become, the more I realize how essential it is to share life’s lessons with others. The Amplified version of 1 Peter 5:9 says, "...be firm in your faith [...rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]" Although this verse was written to members of the church and implied religious persecution and suffering of Christ-followers, I believe the concept can be applied to our internal battles and difficult life circumstances, too. I believe that realizing we're not alone is an essential truth we often forget. When we go through trials and challenges, it helps to know that others haven't only gone through the same tragedies and frustrations, but other people are currently experiencing those bleak moments along with us. Knowing that we're not alone in our struggles and that others can relate to our hardships is a motivational factor to help us persevere and find hope. The other key part of this scripture is standing firm in our faith. When we trust that God will make a way through our suffering, we release our worries and fears into His compassionate hands and believe that He has everything under control--even amidst the chaos and pain.
This is why I share my writing. I believe in the power of community. I believe that we each have unique stories to tell that can positively encourage each other. Knowing that I'm not alone, that there's hope despite the hard things I've experienced, and seeing God's redemptive grace activated in other people's lives inspires me to live more assuredly in my faith. God has beautiful lives in store for us all--full of love, goodness, mercy, grace, and healing. When we express ourselves, share our testimonies, and exemplify our faith in Christ, we not only experience personal restoration, but we also support others on their own life journeys.
Writing is not just a mental reprieve or an outlet for self-expression; it leaves a legacy for others to be encouraged, reminded, and inspired not just in this moment, but for years to come. The therapeutic art of writing is an influential opportunity to make a difference in yourself and other people's lives, too. It's an avenue of communication meant to relieve our emotions, connect our experiences, and teach us how to learn, grow, heal, and thrive.
"…Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29
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