Writing Your Way to Growth

By Paul Krause

Today’s lesson used to be a tough one for me to do. I remember when someone first told me to write down things that were either positive or negative in my life. For a long time, it was too difficult for me to do. But then I read through chapter six of the Book of Ephesians, which talks about the armor of God. I attempted to draw the armor so I could understand it better, but, more importantly, I also wrote down what each piece of armor meant to me.

Writing down your thoughts or even your emotional state at the moment can be a tough thing to do. However, once you do it, you start to realize you’re identifying with something which helps you to focus on it.

In Ephesians 6:12 (ESV), Paul says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood.” And that's when it hit me: The devil is after my thought life. So one of the best defenses we can have is to write things down. Like I said before, it brings things into focus. And after it's been written down, that’s when we pay attention to that emotional feeling or thought more. Now the devil has been exposed!

After I realized this, I started to see how the enemy was attacking my mind daily. Then, I was able to meet with my mentors and explain things better and ask for specific prayers in those areas.

So, do you need to write a full page or a book? No, you don’t have to, but if it helps you to have freedom from the devil’s attacks then please do. Start small—write a word, a sentence, or even a list. Then, once the attack happens you can go back and say, “No devil. God has already taken care of that in my life!” or “Nice try devil. God, as well as my mentors, are praying me through this!”

Worship Time

Find a great worship playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, or whatever music app you use.

Bible Time

• Ephesians 6:11–12
• John 16:33
• Psalm 23

Prayer Time

Remember to make this personal and have a notebook ready to go! In order to not get distracted, sometimes it helps to write your prayer out. Even to read things you wrote in your notebook can be part of your prayer!