Why Take Time to Reflect?

To reflect is to think carefully about something. To look back and process life instead of just letting it happen to us. When we take the time to reflect on our lives, we can see patterns, find where things frustrate us, and look for ways to change our reactions and decisions. When we fail to stop and understand ourselves, we will be stuck in the same patterns of unhealthy behavior and sin.

We sin because we’re human, yes. We inherited our sin nature from Adam and Eve. However, our sinful actions come from within, from parts of us that have been damaged. Lying isn’t just about lying. We lie for a reason. Maybe because we’re trying to protect ourselves or we fear facing the truth. We need to confess the lie, but if we really want to be able to change, we need to understand why we lie and find the deeper issue that we need to repent of.

Rage, gossip, sexual immorality, pride, deception, drug or alcohol abuse, whatever the sin is, there’s a deeper issue involved. There’s a lie we’re believing about ourselves or about God. There’s something we learned in our childhood that isn’t true. There’s some deeply held belief that is the underlying cause. We need to confess the expression of that sin, but we also need to understand what’s going on underneath the surface of our lives and let God heal the real issue.

Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12) and He calls us to live in the light. When we uncover the reasons for our sin, we’re bringing those things into the light so God can heal them and change them.

Taking the time to reflect helps us to peel back the layers to see WHY we do what we do. We can try to just change our behavior, but it really doesn’t work. Unless you change the REASON for the behavior, you won’t see lasting change and an abundant life in Christ.

So how do we do this? Many of the earlier spiritual disciplines I’ve talked about, such as solitude, reflecting before bed, Sabbath and prayer create the space for reflection.

Once you have the space, start asking yourself some questions. Writing them down in a journal is a great way to process life. Ask yourself what went well during your day and what didn’t go so well. If you’re feeling frustrated, ask yourself what you’re frustrated about and why. Have a conversation on paper. No one ever has to read it. Many times I don’t understand why I’m feeling the way I do until I ask. Sounds silly, I know! But try it.

If you’d like some more guidance on journaling, download my free “Spiritual Growth Journaling Guide”. You can also get weekly journaling prompts in my newsletter.

When do you take the time to reflect? In the morning? Before bed? During a Sabbath time? How do you find it most helpful to reflect?