A major focus in the VOH house has been the importance of processing. You don’t get to NOT think. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 addresses this issue in depth, emphasizing God’s desire for us as Christians to hold our conclusions about reality up to the knowledge of God. Humans were designed to collect data, and arrive at conclusions of reality, but we too often do not work ourselves through the proper process of doing that according to truth.
The “5 points journal”, as we call it, is one method of breaking down your conclusions about reality into categories, allowing you to weigh those conclusions against the truth and knowledge of God. The five categories are: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Relational. The residents are assigned the task of journaling through each of these areas, each day, as a way to initiate the process of processing. They have found it to be very challenging; it’s hard work to think hard!
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 is often talked about because of it’s message regarding the spiritual warfare that we’re engaged in as Christians. The battle begins in the mind, and unfortunately too many people, Christians included, are not training their minds to be sharp tools to be used for bringing glory and honor to God. Learning how to process is a skill and if you don’t know how to do it, you need someone to teach you. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
One other type of journal that is commonly used at Vision of Hope is called the Think-Do-Want journal. It is a simple way of tracking how your thoughts can be traced and tracked back to their origin within your heart to connect your desires with your actions. It is very helpful for reflective purposes and/or when in need of consequence homework, since it hinges on a wrong and untruthful thought process that needs correction. Remember: You don’t get to NOT think.
