The Book that Will Change Your Life

Seth Godin, bestselling author of over twenty books, was asked during a webinar on entrepreneurship which books have impacted him the most. He said, “The book that will change your life the most is the book you write.”

Now, you may be thinking, That’s not right! If your first thought is that the Bible is the book that will change your life the most, you aren’t alone. This was my initial thought, too. I hope you’ll consider that while reading the Bible is important, the comprehension of the content and actions that follow are the catalyst that changes lives, not simply reading the words. With the agreed-upon premise that comprehension and follow-up actions are where we should focus, I’d like to suggest that writing can help us connect with God on a deeper level.

Writing Connects Our Heads and Hearts

When asked why he wrote, E.M. Foster asked, “How do I know what I think until I see what I say?” This may sound unclear; however, I believe it’s more common than we might think. For example, psychologists suggest that writing a letter to an ex or someone you were once friends with will help provide closure.

Kristina Segarra explains, “Writing is a stimulating yet strenuous activity for the brain. When you write, all parts of your brain are actively engaged. Thanks to the brain’s neuroplasticity, it can grow and change over time. Just as athletes train their bodies, writers can do the same with their brains. Training yourself to write will help your brain grow and establish neuronal connections.”

Have you found that after writing a letter, your mind is no longer preoccupied with the person you need to say goodbye to? Have you ever written in a journal and reread your thoughts with surprise? Do you find that writing allows you to see a situation more clearly? Have you considered that your gratitude increases after sending a thank-you note or that the time you spend documenting your child’s adorable adventures makes you reminisce about such moments lovingly?

My answer to each of these questions is yes. Much like David in Psalms, I’ve found myself terribly upset with God, only to end a journal entry reminding myself how faithful God has been in the past. This is because God designed our brains to grow and learn when we write.

Writing Organizes Our Thoughts

In his book, Why Write? A Master Class on the Art of Writing and Why it Matters, Mark Edmundson points out, “Most of us probably don’t know our views until someone asks us. Writing is a way of asking ourselves.”

Have you ever found yourself answering a question and wondering if you agree with your statement? These moments clarify that I’ve absorbed someone else’s opinion rather than fleshing out a scenario for myself.

When I pause to write a response, I also have time to answer the “why” behind my opinion. I’ve discovered more than once that writing to answer a question spurs me to learn more about a subject because reading my response helps me see gaps in my thinking. It also helps me identify any inconsistencies with my closest convictions.

In the twenty-five years my husband and I have been together through dating and marriage, I’ve learned an important lesson about writing. I find clarity when I pause and truly reflect on my emotions by writing out my perspective on a situation. Rather than barreling forward with a snappy reaction about how my husband is wrong about something, journaling helps me identify my part in our conflict. It also helps me to confirm whether there is a conflict that needs further discussion or if an apology is necessary to move forward.

To put it simply, Edmundson says, “Writing in thinking; thinking is writing.”

 Writing Is a Spiritual Discipline

God said David was a man after his own heart. God chose David to lead Israel because of his heart, and David wrote his prayers to God. When it comes to an example of a writer we should model, I can’t help but think of David writing psalms. David wrote in difficult times, such as when he penned a prayer about his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51). He wrote about his fear when he was on the run from Saul’s men (Psalms 18, 57, and 59). David also wrote in joyful times, such as when he dedicated the temple (Psalm 30).

Edmundson points out, “We have at our hands’ reach a skill that is also a spiritual discipline. Writing is a meditation; writing is as close as some of us can come to prayer; writing is a way of being righteously in the world.”

Regardless of whether you agree with Edmundson, I think there’s a strong argument that, just as Seth Godin suggests, David’s life was changed by the book he wrote.

We all have a choice to write, think, or speak words that invite flourishing. I hope you’ll consider writing to God and about God the next time you’re faced with a challenge. You never know; it might be the beginning of a book that changes your life.

Beth M. Walker is an author, speaker, and experienced digital marketer. Married to a football coach and raising two sons, she has waded through the challenges of balancing home life with the work she loves. One of Beth’s gifts is helping others discern their gifts and take them to the next level. With many years of expertise in writing and digital marketing, she has helped countless people identify their unique calling, thrive in their life purpose, and pursue their courageous next step vocationally. She blogs at BethMWalker.com.

Photograph © Daniel Thomas, used with permission