1. What does the Lenten season mean to me?

The first prompt to focus on is about the Lenten season itself. Many people often go through the season of Lent without understanding what it means to them. They listen to sermons and read books about it, but rarely take the time to deeply reflect on what it means to them personally. This year, take some time to think about what this season means to you and write your response in your journal.

2. What does God want me to learn about my singleness?

Singleness is a multifaceted ministry. It is filled with seasons of learning, blessings, joy, and transitions full of purpose. Many singles don’t know what singleness is and what God wants them to learn from it. You can think about who you are becoming this season, how God wants you to learn during this season, and what God wants you to do with the knowledge He gives you. Learning about the truth of singleness is a blessing, and it’s important for every single believer to take the time to reflect and learn about it.

3. What thoughts does God want me to release from my mind that are not true about singleness?

Controlling the mind is essential to growth, improving focus, managing emotions, and achieving personal and spiritual goals. Negative thoughts often plague singles’ minds because of societal and church pressure to marry. Not only this, but many singles have also learned negative thoughts about singleness because of relationships that didn’t go the way they thought they would, a lack of focus on healing, or a lack of understanding of singleness as God created it to be. Singles, as you journey through journaling this Lenten season, take some time to ask God what thoughts he wants you to release from your mind about singleness. As He reveals them to you, write them down and reflect on them. Ask Him to give you positive thoughts to replace the negative ones. When He gives you those thoughts, make a list of them in your journal; read and recite them every day of your single journey.

4. How do I release relationships that don’t pour into my singleness?

Another journal prompt singles can focus on this Lenten season is mapping out how to release relationships that don’t pour into your singleness. Many people often fail to see the beauty in singleness simply because they don’t understand the gift that it is, nor do they understand the purpose God has given many singles in their singleness. This year, as you journal, take some time to evaluate the relationships you have with people in your various circles of life. Think about those who encourage your singleness and who discourage it. Think about those who pray for you to prosper in your singleness aside from dating, and think about those who try to pressure you out of it. Take mental and physical note of the names that come to mind and write out how you can release their negativity when it comes to your singleness. This may be difficult to do, so as you respond to this journal prompt, make sure you think and pray carefully about who God reveals to you.

5. Why have I struggled in my singleness?

This is by far one of the most important prompts any single person can journal about. Many singles struggle with singleness. It can be hard for them to see its beauty and purpose. They simply focus on finding a way out. So this year, during your journaling, take some time to reflect on why you struggle so much with singleness and how you can release this struggle.

6. How can I honor God in my singleness?

As Christians, we must strive daily to honor God with our lives. There is a difference in how unmarried believers can do this. So, unmarried believers, take some time during Lent to reflect on how you can honor God with your singleness.

7. How can I honor myself in my singleness?

Honoring singleness is something many singles don’t realize they must do in order to live in singleness as God designed it. Honoring yourself means intentionally practicing self-compassion, setting boundaries, and understanding your core values as a single believer. Taking time to understand how you can honor your God-given singleness within yourself is a must if it is your desire to live with purpose on purpose.

8. How has my singleness ministered to others?

Singleness is a ministry. It is a ministry that is fruitful, joyful, and filled with God’s purpose. As an unmarried believer, it’s important to know that your life of singleness is a ministry to others. Each day you spend in singleness should show others of God’s keeping grace, His love for you, and His calling on your life. So, as you journal this Lenten season, take some time to think and write about how your singleness has or hasn’t ministered to the lives of others.

9. How can I incorporate the principles of Lent in my singleness?

The principles of lent, fasting, prayer, and alms giving are designed to foster spiritual renewal and a deeper relationship with God. As you journal this season, take some time to reflect on how you can incorporate each of these principles in your singleness. Will you fast from dating? Will you meet God at a designated time in prayer each day? Take some time to journal about how you will incorporate these principles into your singleness during Lent, and see how your life changes.

10. Reflect on Psalm 23 in its entirety.

Reading Scripture to reflect on is one of the best steps one can take during any season. During Lent, take some time to read Psalm 23 in its entirety. Read it twice; once forward and then backwards. As you read, ask yourself the following questions: How is God speaking to me regarding my singleness in this Psalm? What does God want me to know about who He is to me? Write your responses to these questions and other thoughts about the Scriptures in this Psalm, and allow them to speak to your heart.

As you prepare to journal during Lent (or any time of the year), be intentional with your writing. Set a time for daily prayer and journal reflections. Read and meditate on each prompt and listen for yourself as you begin to respond. After you’ve completed your entry, read what you wrote. Let the words begin to speak to you and allow your mind and heart to become one with them. Additionally, identify Scriptures that will provide clarity for each journal prompt. You can read them and place them at the top of each journal entry before you begin writing. No matter what you do, be consistent and purposeful with your journaling. Stay focused on your journey and make sure it brings clarity to your singleness and closer to God. As an added bonus, you can write a prayer at the end of every entry, asking God to help you along your path of discipleship and singleness. Make sure your journal reflects who you are and who you are growing to be. Singles, it is my sincere prayer that you intentionally walk through this journey with peace and clarity so that you live as God desires and your life in singleness ministers to others every day.

Related: 10 Goals for Singles to Have During the Season of Lent

Related Resource: How To Have Healthy God-Honoring Relationships

Relationships can be complicated, whether it's with your family, friends, co-workers, or everyday people you interact with online. Maybe toxic people have ruined relationships for you, and you don't know how to reconcile them. Maybe a broken home has shaped you to have unhealthy people skills. Whatever the case may be for you, my friend Debra Fileta joins me in today's episode to talk about what we can learn from Jesus in our everyday people skills! Like what you hear? Follow Bought + Beloved with Kirby Kelly on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

1. What does the Lenten season mean to me?

The first prompt to focus on is about the Lenten season itself. Many people often go through the season of Lent without understanding what it means to them. They listen to sermons and read books about it, but rarely take the time to deeply reflect on what it means to them personally. This year, take some time to think about what this season means to you and write your response in your journal.

2. What does God want me to learn about my singleness?

Singleness is a multifaceted ministry. It is filled with seasons of learning, blessings, joy, and transitions full of purpose. Many singles don’t know what singleness is and what God wants them to learn from it. You can think about who you are becoming this season, how God wants you to learn during this season, and what God wants you to do with the knowledge He gives you. Learning about the truth of singleness is a blessing, and it’s important for every single believer to take the time to reflect and learn about it.

3. What thoughts does God want me to release from my mind that are not true about singleness?

Controlling the mind is essential to growth, improving focus, managing emotions, and achieving personal and spiritual goals. Negative thoughts often plague singles’ minds because of societal and church pressure to marry. Not only this, but many singles have also learned negative thoughts about singleness because of relationships that didn’t go the way they thought they would, a lack of focus on healing, or a lack of understanding of singleness as God created it to be. Singles, as you journey through journaling this Lenten season, take some time to ask God what thoughts he wants you to release from your mind about singleness. As He reveals them to you, write them down and reflect on them. Ask Him to give you positive thoughts to replace the negative ones. When He gives you those thoughts, make a list of them in your journal; read and recite them every day of your single journey.

4. How do I release relationships that don’t pour into my singleness?

Another journal prompt singles can focus on this Lenten season is mapping out how to release relationships that don’t pour into your singleness. Many people often fail to see the beauty in singleness simply because they don’t understand the gift that it is, nor do they understand the purpose God has given many singles in their singleness. This year, as you journal, take some time to evaluate the relationships you have with people in your various circles of life. Think about those who encourage your singleness and who discourage it. Think about those who pray for you to prosper in your singleness aside from dating, and think about those who try to pressure you out of it. Take mental and physical note of the names that come to mind and write out how you can release their negativity when it comes to your singleness. This may be difficult to do, so as you respond to this journal prompt, make sure you think and pray carefully about who God reveals to you.

5. Why have I struggled in my singleness?

This is by far one of the most important prompts any single person can journal about. Many singles struggle with singleness. It can be hard for them to see its beauty and purpose. They simply focus on finding a way out. So this year, during your journaling, take some time to reflect on why you struggle so much with singleness and how you can release this struggle.

6. How can I honor God in my singleness?

As Christians, we must strive daily to honor God with our lives. There is a difference in how unmarried believers can do this. So, unmarried believers, take some time during Lent to reflect on how you can honor God with your singleness.

7. How can I honor myself in my singleness?

Honoring singleness is something many singles don’t realize they must do in order to live in singleness as God designed it. Honoring yourself means intentionally practicing self-compassion, setting boundaries, and understanding your core values as a single believer. Taking time to understand how you can honor your God-given singleness within yourself is a must if it is your desire to live with purpose on purpose.

8. How has my singleness ministered to others?

Singleness is a ministry. It is a ministry that is fruitful, joyful, and filled with God’s purpose. As an unmarried believer, it’s important to know that your life of singleness is a ministry to others. Each day you spend in singleness should show others of God’s keeping grace, His love for you, and His calling on your life. So, as you journal this Lenten season, take some time to think and write about how your singleness has or hasn’t ministered to the lives of others.

9. How can I incorporate the principles of Lent in my singleness?

The principles of lent, fasting, prayer, and alms giving are designed to foster spiritual renewal and a deeper relationship with God. As you journal this season, take some time to reflect on how you can incorporate each of these principles in your singleness. Will you fast from dating? Will you meet God at a designated time in prayer each day? Take some time to journal about how you will incorporate these principles into your singleness during Lent, and see how your life changes.

10. Reflect on Psalm 23 in its entirety.

Reading Scripture to reflect on is one of the best steps one can take during any season. During Lent, take some time to read Psalm 23 in its entirety. Read it twice; once forward and then backwards. As you read, ask yourself the following questions: How is God speaking to me regarding my singleness in this Psalm? What does God want me to know about who He is to me? Write your responses to these questions and other thoughts about the Scriptures in this Psalm, and allow them to speak to your heart.

As you prepare to journal during Lent (or any time of the year), be intentional with your writing. Set a time for daily prayer and journal reflections. Read and meditate on each prompt and listen for yourself as you begin to respond. After you’ve completed your entry, read what you wrote. Let the words begin to speak to you and allow your mind and heart to become one with them. Additionally, identify Scriptures that will provide clarity for each journal prompt. You can read them and place them at the top of each journal entry before you begin writing. No matter what you do, be consistent and purposeful with your journaling. Stay focused on your journey and make sure it brings clarity to your singleness and closer to God. As an added bonus, you can write a prayer at the end of every entry, asking God to help you along your path of discipleship and singleness. Make sure your journal reflects who you are and who you are growing to be. Singles, it is my sincere prayer that you intentionally walk through this journey with peace and clarity so that you live as God desires and your life in singleness ministers to others every day.

Related: 10 Goals for Singles to Have During the Season of Lent

Related Resource: How To Have Healthy God-Honoring Relationships

Relationships can be complicated, whether it's with your family, friends, co-workers, or everyday people you interact with online. Maybe toxic people have ruined relationships for you, and you don't know how to reconcile them. Maybe a broken home has shaped you to have unhealthy people skills. Whatever the case may be for you, my friend Debra Fileta joins me in today's episode to talk about what we can learn from Jesus in our everyday people skills! Like what you hear? Follow Bought + Beloved with Kirby Kelly on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!