Writing for Your Soul:

The Spiritual Practice of Journaling

Mindy Caliguire

How to Use This Tool

This Conference Classics process tool is designed to accompany an audio recording
of a Willow Creek Association conference session. You can refer to the tool while
listening to the session and use it afterward to dig deeper into the content, or you
can use the tool to get the highlights without even listening to the session.

This tool consists of three parts:

• The PREVIEW section lists the problem that the session addresses and the
recommendation that the speaker makes.
• The KEY CONCEPTS section breaks the session down into the core ideas
most important for you to understand.
• The REFLECT section includes questions to help you practice, apply, and
implement what you’ve learned. Although the questions are geared
primarily to individuals, groups can use them as a discussion guide.

© 2008 Mindy Caliguire. Adapted from Write for Your Soul by Jeff and Mindy Caliguire (available at
www.soulcare.com/WFYS.html). Portions adapted from Discovering Soul Care (SCR) by Mindy
Caliguire. Copyright © 2007 by Mindy Caliguire. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press.

This resource may be printed, photocopied and electronically mailed as needed for use in the
purchaser’s church so long as no fee of any kind is charged and the resource is not used, in whole
or in part, for internet viewing or posting, conferences, fund-raising or commercial purposes.
 Writing for Your Soul: The Spiritual Practice of Journaling | 1

Preview

Problem: Many people don’t experience the intimacy with God that their soul longs for.

Recommendation: Adopt the spiritual practice of journaling and discover the solace and spiritual
strength that come from an intimate connection with God.

Key Concepts

What Is Soul Care?

• Your soul needs care to avoid feeling depleted.
• Ministry can be a depleting experience.
• Good theology and knowledge do not necessarily equal strong intimacy with God.
• Sometimes caring for our own soul is the last thing on our list.
• A journal is a good tool for soul care.
• Your soul is alive and has a quality of life.

Symptoms of Soul Neglect

• Tiredness
• Selfishness
• Irritability
• Weakness
• Anxiety
• Drivenness

Symptoms of Soul Health

• Focus
• Peace
• Happiness
• Satisfaction
• Passion
• Creativity
• Courage
• Hopefulness
• Worship
• Security
• Contentment

The Importance of the Soul

• In Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard, he sheds light on why the soul’s wellbeing is so
important.
○ Your soul drives everything that makes up your personhood.
○ Fundamental aspects of life are all, in fact, soul functions.
○ Failure in different aspects of life corresponds directly to the degree that the soul
diminishes.
○ The human soul is the deepest level of life and power in a human being.
○ Our soul, rooted in the vastness of God and his kingdom, is your source of strength,