Preparation and Planning Journal Prompts to Reset Your Life
Confession. I’ve been a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants girl for most of my life. Yet over the past few years, the Lord has shown me the blessing of preparation and planning can have on my life and the impact I make for the Lord.
In fact, a definition of prepare is to: make (someone) ready or able to do or deal with something.
With a regular rhythm of preparation and planning, not perfection, we have more room for what matters most.
Then, when a season of hardship comes, and we don’t have the capacity to deal with what weighs us down, our preparation helps us keep going on autopilot.
The truth is, preparation equals freedom in so many ways. Let’s dive into what it really means to “prepare and plan” as a woman of faith.
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Types of preparation as a Christian woman
As a child of God, we’re called to live set apart from the ways of the world. We’re called to live on mission for the glory of God and live our priorities, with the Lord as our cornerstone.
Therefore, the way we structure our lives matters!
The Lord should be our main focus, with everything else, including family, coming after that relationship.
There are three main areas of our lives in which preparation and planning are essential for us “Kingdom women”.
Spiritual preparation
As a believer, your relationship with the Lord should be an “anchor” in your day and in your life. Spiritual preparation means you’re nurturing your relationship with the Lord by studying the Bible and cultivating a strong prayer life.
Your daily quiet time should be a priority and happening on a consistent basis, although this should be done out of a heart of love for God, not obligation.
A woman who is spiritually prepared keeps seeking the Lord and uses God’s Word as a sword in times of struggle.
Mental preparation
Even when she’s surrounded by struggle, a woman of faith knows there is victory in Christ and He has already overcome the battle.
Her faith is steadfast in God because of grace and mercy poured out for her at the cross.
She relies on God for mental strength to keep her rooted in truth and grounded in God’s promises.
While she’s not without heartache or trials, a woman who’s mentally prepared continually renews her mind with God’s truth.
When it feels like the enemy is on the prowl in her life, she looks to Scripture as her ultimate source of truth and is able to distinguish lies from truth.
Physical preparation
Physical preparation happens when you take action to prepare for what’s to come and intentionally plan for the future.
This process can be as simple as:
- planning your year and organizing key events happening
- setting goals according to the dreams God has placed upon your heart
- establishing daily routines that helps you honor God with your time
- cultivating habits that help you live with intention
- stewarding your finances for the glory of God
And the planning process doesn’t have to be overwhelming, either! Start small and choose the area of your life with the greatest need.
Even one new habit can have a great ripple effect!
Benefits of preparation and planning
When you’re ready to reset your life, preparation and planning are an essential piece of the puzzle.
Once you evaluate your current life and how things are really going (no more hiding!), then it’s time to start the preparation and planning to help you move forward.
A little effort can go a long way to help you:
- steward your life and resources for God’s glory
- live with intention instead of flying haphazardly through the day
- add margin to your life and rest to your soul
- help you stress-less and move forward from overwhelm
- make progress on the goals God has laid upon your heart
- have more time to live on mission according to God’s plan for your life
As daughters of the King, we are able to walk with purpose, bless others, and have greater impact for the Kingdom when we’re intentional with our lives.
Biblical examples of preparation and planning
While you may think of being prepared as the motto for the Boy Scouts, I actually think of these biblical examples of preparedness.
Being prepared like the Proverbs 31 Woman
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Proverbs 31:21-22
The Proverbs 31 woman is a powerful example of how preparation and planning can help you live your life with biblical confidence.
In the desolate season of winter, the Proverbs 31 woman didn’t need to worry about her family or her home. Since she had prepared and planned for this season, she could rest in the freedom of knowing they were provided for.
While the Proverbs 31 woman was diligent in all she did, her confidence didn’t come just from physical preparation. She feared the Lord and pursued godly wisdom as the cornerstone of her life.
Being prepared like Noah
Noah is another example of being prepared. He followed God’s commands exactly and was prepared for the flood, even if though others thought his actions were ridiculous. (Genesis 6)
Noah didn’t sit on God’s commands, either. He was proactive and jumped in soon after God revealed His plans for him.
As a result, Noah’s family was spared for the flood and were key in God’s rebuilding of mankind.
Like Noah, may we be women who follow the Lord, even when He calls us into the great unknown and we don’t understand where He’s leading us.
May we be women who listen for God’s voice and take action to do what He’s called us to do.
Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. Genesis 6:22
Being Prepared Like Joseph
Joseph faced many obstacles in his life, including being sold into slavery by his own brothers. Yet despite his setbacks and struggles, the Lord used him in a mighty way. (Genesis 37)
The Lord gave Joseph favor with Pharoah, and elevated Joseph to a leadership position within his household, despite being in jail. (Yes, the Lord can do the impossible!)
Through God’s leading, Joseph’s preparation and planning allowed the Egyptians to have food during the famine.
And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured. Genesis 41:49
The Lord even united Joseph’s family through his planning and restored the broken ties with his brothers.
May we be women who prepare and plan with godly confidence, despite our circumstances or struggles. We can rest in God’s provision for our future and trust that He holds eternity in His view.
Preparation and planning journal prompts
One of my favorite ways to jumpstart preparation and planning is through journaling. These Christian journal prompts will help you evaluate where you are with living with intention and help you create a loose plan to jump start your actions.
Journal prompts for spiritual growth preparation
How would a little preparation and planning impact your spiritual growth?
Does your quiet current time help you understand the Bible and foster a deep prayer life?
What is standing in the way of you being prepared to meet with God?
How are your Bible study materials organized right now? Is that system serving you well?
What resources do you need to help you understand the Bible or make sure your quiet time happens?
Ask God to search your heart and show you anything that’s been stopping you from having a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him.
Reflect on your current prayer strategy. Is it currently serving you well or does your prayer life feel stagnant?
How is your current Bible study impacting your life? Would a Bible reading plan help you read the Bible regularly?
I wish I knew more about ________ in the Bible because _________…
A topic that I’m wrestling with God about is __________.
Journal prompts for mental preparation
What Scriptures fuel your soul and help you cling to God’s hope when life feels heavy and hard?
What does it mean to you to rely on God?
How can you renew your mind with biblical truth throughout the day?
What does it look like to you to find hope in God?
How can you cling to God’s peace when life is falling apart?
What are practical ways you can prepare for the daily battle against the enemy?
How does knowing God holds eternity in His hands fill you with peace?
What Bible verses on stress can you memorize and repeat when life feels overwhelming?
Reflect on the lies of the enemy that hold you back and keep you stuck. Then, make a list of God’s truths to counteract those lies.
What are ways you can draw mental strength from the Lord and keep your mind focused on His truth?
Journal prompts for physical preparation
Is there an area of your life that you need to let go of into order to walk with intention?
What new habit can you start this week to help you be more prepared?
Preparation and planning will help me, by_____…
What area of your life is the first place you need to start intentional preparation and planning?
How can you use those “waiting times” to help you prepare? (Ex: waiting at kid’s sports practice, waiting in line, waiting at the doctor, waiting in traffic). Those “mindless minutes” can really add up and help you think through logistics!
Is there something you can delegate (task or job) so you have room to say “yes” to something God is calling you to do?
Reflect on the events you have coming up in the next month. Make a list of what you need to prep, buy, or do before those events happen.
Evaluate your current morning routine and evening routine. Are they serving you well? If not, reflect on what would help things run more smoothly.
Reflect on your biggest struggle in homemaking. What would help you get this area under control?
What systems in your home and life can you streamline so things run smoother?
Top resources to jump start your planning and preparation
Chances are, you have all the tools you need to start intentionally planning for the future. But sometimes, as you get started, you realize there are resources that would help you or make things easier.
Here are some of our favorite resources for your journey.
The Quiet Time Toolkit
Are you ready to start or deepen your quiet time with God? The Quiet Time Toolkit is a roadmap to help you study the Bible with confidence and understand Scripture in a meaningful way.
The Abundant Life Planner
Planning your life and living with intention has never been easier than with the Abundant Life Planner! If you’re ready to organize your life and live on purpose, God’s way, this is the perfect place to start.
The Make It Count Workshop
Ready to walk in your full identity in Christ and live God’s plans for YOU? The Make It Count Workshop will help you create a God-centered vision for your life, identify your priorities, and live the intentional life you crave.
Free Journal Prompts
Grab your free copy of these journal prompts to help you prepare and plan with ease. May they help you live with intention and plan your life so there’s room for what matters most!
