#152: Spiritual Health: Pouring out your heart to the Lord with Jennifer Dukes Lee

It is no accident that our Spiritual Health series started with paying attention and ends with sharing what rumbles in our souls. Only when we wake up to what's bothering us on the inside can we pour it out to the Lord as David did in the psalms.  We must know ourselves – our fears, hopes, dreams, worries, nervous ticks, default coping mechanisms – so we can articulate them to God, not because He doesn't already know them but so we know ourselves in the light of His presence. Because developing the skill of pouring out what you're thinking and feeling is a practice that has laid dormant for many of us, I invited Jennifer Dukes Lee to the show.   Today, Jennifer walks us through: How journaling brings our stuff into the light, What holds us back from sharing our hearts with the Lord, And the two ways we can handle pain.   Quotes about how to pour out your heart through journaling "Journaling is really a voyage of self-discovery." - Jennifer Dukes Lee "Journaling really helps you clear out distressing throughs so that you can move forward with renewed peace." - Jennifer Dukes Lee "Journaling is an opportunity to meet God on the pages." - Jennifer Dukes Lee "What would you say to God if you were completely honest?" - Jennifer Dukes Lee "The psalms are unfiltered cries of people with broken hearts." - Jennifer Dukes Lee "Sometimes we don't want to share our hopes and dreams because to speak it out loud or put it on paper feels like you're setting yourself up for disappointment." - Jennifer Dukes Lee "Your honesty is safe with God." - Jennifer Dukes Lee "The most courageous thing you can do is be honest with yourself." - Jennifer Dukes Lee   If you'd like to learn more about being honest with God about your dreams, listen in or read on: #45: Refresh your thought-life about your dreams, calling, and next steps with Sarah Birkbeck #88: What to do when you fear naming what you want [Fear Series] #135: Grace vs. Fear: When you worry you're selfish 4 necessary skills to wait well on your dream How we tragically misunderstand Jesus' command to deny ourselves   Grace In Real Life Podcast's 3rd Birthday Giveaway Win books, books, books, + $270 in fun Amazon money + awesome prizes! Want books by Christ-centered authors? Need $270 from Amazon to purchase gifts? Relish gifts like a journal set, Purposed Box, virtual workshop, and two coaching sessions? One winner will be randomly selected. The giveaway is open from February 14 through February 28. Donors to the gift card are: Jill E. McCormick, Jill E. McCormick, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Jennifer Barnett, Heather Bjur, Twyla Franz, Jen Babakhan, Michelle Nietert, Jodi Grubbs, Girls Talking Life, Inspired Motherhood, Do A New Thing, and Purposed Box. To enter, go here.  As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry; there's no added cost to you! #57: Delete + Reset: Slowing down, releasing expectations, and creating an unhurried heart with Jennifer Dukes Lee Stuff I'd Only Tell God by Jennifer Dukes Lee at 40% off at Baker Book House It's All Under Control by Jennifer Dukes Lee Praying the Scriptures for Your Children by Jodie Berndt Spiritual Health series episodes #144: Spiritual Health: Paying attention with Anjuli Paschall #145: Spiritual Health: Spending time with Jesus with Arabah Joy and Jen Evangelista #146: Spiritual Health: Embracing a lifestyle of rest with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith #147: One ridiculously easy way to spread the gospel with Twyla Franz #148: Easy ways to study the Word of God every woman can use w/Portia Collins #149: How to find community: 3 easy places to find it with Rachael Wade #150: Questions to ask God, yourself, and others w/Lore Ferguson Wilbert #151: Cultivating a life of prayer with Asheritah Ciuciu About Jennifer Dukes Lee Jennifer Dukes Lee is a bestselling author, thinker, and question-asker from Iowa.  Her friends say they are scared to sit alone in a room with her because they end up telling her things they never intended to say. She is both proud of this fact and also a little annoyed at how nosy she can be.  She put a bunch of her favorite questions into a journal called Stuff I'd Only Tell God. It's like your own little confession booth. She's also the author of Growing Slow and It's All Under Control.  Her wisdom doesn't stop there. Jennifer is sharing resources EXCLUSIVELY with my email subscribers. Sign up here for the good + the grace. Here's how to connect with Jennifer Website Instagram Facebook Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly "the good + the grace" email