Journal Gently: Healing with God through quiet reflection, honest conversations, and gentle journaling

Sometimes we know exactly what God is asking us to do—and still struggle to take the next step. In this episode, I share a clip from my session at the Make the Move conference, reflecting on a season when God called me to step away from a ministry role and all the ways I tried to avoid obeying. As you listen, I invite you to consider where you might be hesitating, and to bring that resistance honestly before the Lord.   >> Get Your Personalized Journaling Guide (PDF) http://lovedoesthat.org/journalguide   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 24: An Example in Spiritual Discernment and Decision Making: Going "All In" With Love Does That ·       Episode 172: Trusting God Through Obedience: A Conversation with Neil Broere ·       Episode 44: Why is Change So Hard? Understanding the Change Process and What That Means for Being Healed and Helping Others ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently  >> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

In this episode, I share the heart behind my revamped offering, Written Spiritual Direction: A 12-Week Pathway—and why spiritual formation is such a powerful form of care. We'll talk about spiritual direction as a proactive practice that builds resilience, trust, discernment, and healthier relationships, not just something we turn to in times of crisis. I'll also explain why this twelve-week pathway is such a natural fit for me, weaving together spiritual direction, journaling, and formation into one intentional rhythm. If you've been curious about spiritual direction but unsure where to begin—or if you're longing for more structure, consistency, and support in listening to God—this episode will give you a clear picture of what Written Spiritual Direction offers, and how it might serve you in this season.   >> Written Spiritual Direction (A 12-Week Pathway) http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 136: 5 Misconceptions of a Christian Spiritual Director ·       Episode 66: [Written Spiritual Direction Session] Loneliness ·       Episode 33: Written Spiritual Direction: How Letters and Messages Can Create Space for God ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently  >> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Grief is often associated with death or obvious loss, but many of us are carrying grief that comes from change. In this episode, we explore how transitions, even good or God-led ones, can stir grief beneath the surface, and why naming it matters for our spiritual and emotional health. If you've felt unsettled, heavy, or emotionally off without a clear reason, this conversation offers language, permission, and gentle guidance for the season you're in. >> Journal Prompts: Seasons of Change   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 160: When Life Changes, Re-evaluate ·       Episode 177: Grieving Decisions You Don't Want to Make: A Conversation with Lauren Black ·       Episode 103: 6 Strategies to Manage Overwhelm, Stress, and Change ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently  >> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Quiet seasons are often supposed to feel peaceful. But sometimes, when life slows down, old memories, emotions, or questions begin to surface—unexpectedly and loudly. In this episode, we talk about why that happens. Not from a place of diagnosis or urgency, but with compassion and curiosity. This is a gentle conversation for anyone who's noticed that when the noise fades, old wounds seem to ask for attention. >> Is This Still Affecting Me?: A Gentle Reflection Guide   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 131: Healing in Layers: What Art Taught Me About Grief ·       Episode 178: Exploring Our Stories One Piece at a Time ·       Episode 94: Entering the Silence and Stillness with God: A Conversation with Blogger and Writer Celia Miller ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently  >> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Have you ever wondered whether you're truly healing, or simply getting better at not thinking about something? In this episode, we explore the subtle, compassionate difference between healing and avoiding—without judgment, pressure, or the assumption that one means failure. If you've ever felt confused by resurfacing emotions, uneasy peace, or resistance to journaling or prayer, this conversation offers clarity, permission, and kindness toward the ways you've learned to protect yourself. >> Is This Still Affecting Me?: A Gentle Reflection Guide   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 131: Healing in Layers: What Art Taught Me About Grief ·       Episode 147: The Flip-Out Rule in Journaling ·       Episode 178: Exploring Our Stories One Piece at a Time ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently  >> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Have you ever been in a hard season—and then realized it wasn't just hard, it was stuck? In this episode, we explore the difference between being in a pit and being in a pit pit—those seasons where prayer, journaling, and "doing the right things" don't seem to bring relief the way they once did. This conversation isn't about labeling yourself or rushing toward solutions. It's about noticing what kind of support your heart may be asking for, and releasing the pressure to navigate everything on your own. >> Is This Still Affecting Me?: A Gentle Reflection Guide   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 189: When Healing Takes Longer Than You Hoped ·       Episode 135: Identifying Signs You're Not Doing Well (And What You Can Do About It) ·       Episode 49: Finding Your Stretcher Bearers: The People Who Can Help Carry You Through a Difficult Season ·       Episode 51: Who Can I Trust? Distinguishing Between Safe and Unsafe People When You Need Help ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently  >> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

All grief is hard. Yet suicide loss carries with it a stigma that can make it even more challenging to find the healing you're desperate for. In today's episode, I talk with Victoria Myers about her experience with suicide loss and how God met her as she journaled. She shares things like how she and her husband grieved differently, different tools she used as she grieved her loss, and why suicide loss can be extra challenging (though not impossible) to heal from. Plus, she offers three journaling prompts for anyone experiencing grief from the loss of a loved one.   CONNECT WITH VICTORIA ·       Website ·       Book: God, You're Fired (Amazon affiliate link) ·       Free Curated Resource Booklet  _____ RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episodes 9 and 10: Supporting a Friend Through Grief (And Walking Through It Yourself) with Karen Altizer ·       Episode 61: Perceiving God's Presence and Love with Spiritual Director and Author Sharon Garlough Brown ·       Episode 102: Sitting with Others in their Grief and Loss with Grief Coach Julie Lynn Ashley ______ >> Grief Journal Prompts http://lovedoesthat.org/griefjournal  >> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently  >> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

As a new year begins, there's often pressure to decide: set goals, choose a word, figure out what's next. In this episode, we do something slower. Instead of rushing toward clarity or change, we pause to notice what quietly followed us into this year. Not to analyze it. Not to fix it. Simply to become aware—with kindness, honesty, and God's presence. This episode is an invitation to reflect gently on the past year and to listen for what may still be asking for care as you move forward. >> Is This Still Affecting Me?: A Gentle Reflection Guide   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 131: Healing in Layers: What Art Taught Me About Grief ·       Episode 65: Learn to Linger with What Provokes You ·       Episode 149: What Are You Feeling Possessive Of? ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently  >> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Have you ever begged God for a clear answer… and instead felt Him nudging you toward something slower, quieter, and a little less concrete? In this episode, we talk about the surprising way God often responds when we're desperate for clarity. If you're waiting, longing, or feeling stuck in the in-between, this gentle conversation will help you recognize the invitations God may be offering you right now.   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 187: Clarity Comes with Action ·       Episode 184: Could This Be Why You're Not Hearing from God? ·       Episode 181: Does An Open Door Mean God Approves? ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently  >> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Ever flip back through an old journal and immediately cringe? You're not the only one.  In this episode, we explore why revisiting past entries can stir up shame—and how to approach those pages with compassion instead of criticism.  If you're carrying regret, embarrassment, or old emotions you're not sure what to do with, this gentle conversation will help you see your past self the way God does. As always, a simple journal prompt is waiting for you at the end.   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 167: Why I Trashed My Past Journals--And Deciding If You Should, Too ·       Episode 163: Letting God Use Our Wounds: A Conversation with Russell Joyce ·       Episode 155: When Talking Doesn't Help ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently  >> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

If you're an introvert who wants to journal but feels overwhelmed the minute you face a blank page, this episode will feel like a deep exhale.  We'll talk about why the pressure to "do it right" can shut you down—and how a gentler, simpler rhythm can open you back up. You'll walk away with a journal prompt and a practical shift that makes writing feel doable again.   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 176: My Biggest Tip for Beating Perfectionism in Journaling ·       Episode 146: Introduction to Journaling: Creating Your Own Journaling Routine ·       Episode 144: How to Create Both a Short and Long Journaling Routine ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently  >> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Ever feel like you're holding more than your heart can handle? In this episode, we explore what happens when life starts to pile up inside us… and the gentle invitation God offers when it does.  If you've been feeling stretched, stuffed, or overwhelmed, this quiet conversation will help you pause, breathe, and bring just one honest thing to Jesus.    RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 103: 6 Strategies to Manage Overwhelm, Stress, and Change ·       Episode 122: Feeling Anxious? Try This 5-Minute Journaling Session ·       Episode 139: 3 Truths to Remember During a Difficult Holiday Season ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently Program: 8 week writing program to start healing from grief and trauma http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently  >> Book Kari as a speaker for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Sometimes the things we love most can actually get in the way of connecting with God. In this clip from the Lead Well Conference, I share a personal story about how even journaling—something I teach and cherish—was keeping me from spending time with the Lord the way I really wanted. If you've ever felt like your "good habits" or spiritual routines are keeping you from truly engaging with God, this episode is for you. I'll walk you through a small shift I made that helped me listen to God more authentically throughout my day—and how you can do the same.   >> Book Kari for your next event: http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 176: My Biggest Tip for Beating Perfectionism in Journaling ·       Episode 144: How to Create Both a Short and Long Journaling Routine ·       Episode 76: Have a Hard Time Sensing God's Presence? Go Outside! ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently Program http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

Two trees. Same kind. Standing side by side—yet one is bare while the other is full of golden leaves. In today's quiet reflection, Kari uses this simple scene from her neighborhood to remind us that healing doesn't happen at the same pace for everyone. It's easy to look at someone else's joy and wonder why we're still struggling. But God tends to each of our hearts with patience and care, layer by layer. This episode is a gentle invitation to release comparison, trust the pace of your healing, and bring your broken pieces to the One who knows how to restore them.   >> Journal Gently Program http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 117: Running Away From God: A Devotional Bible Study on Jonah 1 ·       Episode 122: Feeling Anxious? Try This 5-Minute Journaling Session ·       Episode 184: Could This Be Why You're Not Hearing from God? ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Speaking http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking  

Have you ever let fear keep you quiet, hesitant to use a gift you know God has placed inside you?  In this episode, Kari unpacks a familiar verse, 2 Timothy 1:7, and discovers it means something deeper than we often realize. It's not just about overcoming fear in general—it's about refusing to let fear silence the gifts God has given us. Through Paul's letter to Timothy, we're reminded that God calls us to fan into flame the gifts already within us, using them with power, love, and self-discipline. If you've been feeling restless or discouraged, this gentle reflection will help you rekindle your confidence in what God has entrusted to you.   >> Get your free ticket to Make the Move, a live online conference happening November 20 to help you discern God's direction in your business or ministry. https://prayforyourbusiness.com   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 117: Running Away From God: A Devotional Bible Study on Jonah 1 ·       Episode 122: Feeling Anxious? Try This 5-Minute Journaling Session ·       Episode 184: Could This Be Why You're Not Hearing from God? ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Speaking http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Have you ever felt unsure what step to take next, but also restless just sitting still?  In today's episode, Kari shares how God has been guiding her through her own season of uncertainty and reveals what's next for her ministry through Love Does That. You'll hear how one simple phrase from coach Christa Hutchins—"Clarity comes from action"—has reshaped the way she's discerning her next move. This short reflection will encourage you to take one small step forward, trusting that God often brings direction as we move, not before.   >> Get your free ticket to Make the Move, a live online conference happening November 20 to help you discern God's direction in your business or ministry. https://prayforyourbusiness.com    RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 77: Three Prayers for Discernment: Making Difficult Choices in Difficult Seasons ·       Episode 134: You Have to Push Yourself to Grow (Podcast Rebrand) ·       Episode 160: When Life Changes, Re-evaluate ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Speaking http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking

Hey, friend. Whether you are someone who has been listening to the podcast since the beginning or you just found me through one of the recent conferences I spoke at, I want to say welcome, and I'm glad you're here. It would seem as if God has a funny sense of timing, and He's asking me to pause the podcast for a while. I need to practice what I preach: taking breaks, caring for my family first, and leaning in to my relationship with Him so that I can continue doing the work He has called me to. That's the very thing I spoke about last week, and at the Lead Well conference this past Saturday. So for the time being, I'll be stepping away from the podcast. Kari ______ Other Resources ·       Daniele Evans – spiritual director with trauma and writing ·       Karen Altzier – grief coach ·       Julie Lynn Ashley – grief coach ·       Kristin Vanderlip – writing and grief ·       Kristen Joy – coach for Christian women and ministry leaders ·       Jennifer Shook – inner healing coach ·       Heather O'Brien – healing with God   >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently: An 8-week grief and trauma journaling program http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently >> Speaking http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking   Music by DappyTKeys

Imagine this scenario: Someone you dearly love is hurting. Maybe they are grieving the loss of a loved one or battling the depths of depression. Maybe they've lost their sense of purpose or just got a hard diagnosis from the doctor. What is the best thing you can do for them? Is it calling them every day? Making them meals? Being willing to sit with them in the quiet? Should you watch their kids? Offer to drive them around? Pick up their groceries? All of those can be really good things for us to do. They show our love and support in very practical ways. But what if I said the very best thing you could do was to stay close to Jesus yourself? Let's explore some reasons why staying close to Jesus is so important when we are caring for someone who is hurting. And then be sure to stay to the end for a special invitation to dive deeper into this topic with me at a live event coming up next week. Kari   >> Get your free ticket to the 2025 Lead Well Conference (affiliate link): http://lovedoesthat.org/leadwell   RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES: ·       Episode 163: Letting God Use Our Wounds: A Conversation with Russell Joyce ·       Episode 171: Temptation, Testing, or Fallen World? How to Respond When Life Gets Hard ·       Courageous Care book, available on my website or on Amazon ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently: An 8-week grief and trauma journaling program http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently >> Speaking http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking   Music by DappyTKeys

I have been incredibly blessed over the past several years to connect with other individuals who are doing similar work. Laura Howe is one of those people. Laura and I met as part of a mastermind we were both in. Where I focus on helping individual women come alongside their loved ones who are hurting, she focuses on equipping the church to support those in their congregations and communities. She does this through her organization, Hope Made Strong.  Back in 2021, we were each other's podcasts, and today, I want to share an excerpt from my interview on her podcast. Laura and I talk about the power of companionship for those who are hurting, plus how your church can minister to the grieving during the Christmas season by offering a Blue Christmas service. Kari   >> Get your free ticket to the 2025 Church Mental Health Summit (affiliate link): http://lovedoesthat.org/mentalhealthsummit     RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES: ·       Care Ministry Podcast, Episode 11 – The Power of Standing with Those Who Are Struggling with Kari Bartkus ·       Episode 7 – 5 Things to Say When You Don't Know What to Say with Laura Howe ·       Episode 42 – Offering a Blue Christmas Service to Honor the Loss and Cling to the Hope ·       Episode 95 – Blue Christmas Mini Service: Holding On to Hope in the Midst of Suffering and Loss ·       Advent resource – When Your Silent Night Feels Empty ·       Courageous Care book, available on my website or on Amazon   ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently: An 8-week grief and trauma journaling program http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently >> Speaking http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking   Music by DappyTKeys

"God doesn't talk to me." "I can't hear God's voice." "I don't know what God sounds like." Hearing from God is pivotal to the life of a Christian. Not only do we seek guidance from His Word, but we also ask Him questions about which path to take, what to do, and how He wants us to behave. We want insight into situations we find ourselves in. And we long to receive His words of love and comfort, especially when life around us is full of chaos and heartache. Yet there are times when we struggle to hear His voice, when it seems that He is silent. Why is that? I won't be able to address any and every situation that might make it harder to hear from God—at least, not all in this episode. But there is one issue in particular that I've noticed in my own life, and I bet you can recognize it in yours, too. And if we truly want to hear from God, it's something that we're going to have to address. So what is it? What can prevent us from hearing from God? You don't expect to. Let's take a few minutes and unpack this idea together. Kari   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 183: [Bible Journal Session] How Do You Need to Be Restored? ·       Episode 173: [Written Spiritual Direction Session] Dialogue Journaling ·       Episode 99: Spiritual Practices to Help You Learn to Hear God's Voice (Re-Release) ·       Episode 94: Entering the Silence and Stillness with God: A Conversation with Blogger and Writer Celia Miller ·       Episode 91: When God is Silent: Experiencing His Presence in New Ways   _____ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently: An 8-week grief and trauma journaling program http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently >> Speaking http://lovedoesthat.org/speaking   Music by DappyTKeys