Examining Our Ways

Have you ever found yourself drifting through life, caught up in routines, yet sensing a quiet disconnect from God? Perhaps it’s been months, or even years, since you’ve paused to ask: Am I truly walking with the Lord? In our busy lives, it’s easy to let spiritual reflection slip. Yet, the Bible urges us to stop and take stock. Lamentations 3:40 declares, “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!” (ESV). This verse, nestled in a book of sorrow, offers a timeless invitation to self-examination and repentance, a call as relevant today as it was in ancient Jerusalem.

Lamentations was written after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, a time of unimaginable loss. Traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, the book mourns the city’s fall, a consequence of the people’s rebellion against God. Yet, in chapter 3, amid despair, we find hope and a pathway back to God. Verse 40 is a pivotal moment, urging us to look inward, assess our lives, and turn to Him. But how do we do this practically? How do we set aside time to examine our ways? One powerful tool is keeping a personal journal, a practice that helps us reflect, repent, and grow closer to God.

In this post, we’ll unpack Lamentations 3:40, exploring its original Hebrew meaning, the importance of self-examination, and how journaling can bring this verse to life. Whether you’re new to journaling or seeking to deepen your faith, this practice can transform your spiritual journey.

Exegesis of Lamentations 3:40

To grasp the richness of Lamentations 3:40, let’s explore its context and language. The verse is situated within a chapter that transitions from personal lament to communal hope. Verses 37-39 affirm God’s sovereignty: “Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?” (ESV). Then comes verse 40: “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!” The passage continues, “Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven, and say: ‘We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven’” (vv. 41-42, ESV). This is a call to repentance amid divine discipline.

Now, let’s examine the Hebrew keywords:

“Examine” (חָקַר, chaqar): This verb means to search out, investigate, or explore deeply. It’s not a casual glance but a thorough probe, like a miner digging for hidden treasure. In this context, it’s a summons to scrutinize our lives with honesty.

“Test” (בָּחַן, bachan): Meaning to try, prove, or refine, this word suggests evaluating our ways against a standard—God’s truth. Think of testing metal in a fire to reveal its purity. Together, chaqar and bachan demand a rigorous self-assessment.

“Return” (שׁוּב, shuv): This is a key biblical term for repentance, meaning to turn back or reverse direction. It’s a physical and spiritual act of reorienting ourselves to God after straying.

So, Lamentations 3:40 says: Let us deeply search and rigorously test our ways, then turn back to the Lord. This is not a superficial confession but a deliberate, heartfelt return to God, acknowledging sin (vv. 42-47) and seeking His mercy.

This aligns with Scripture’s authority. The Bible, not our feelings, sets the standard for examination. It’s a call to personal conversion, turning from sin to Christ, and a reminder that God’s discipline (Hebrews 12:6) is a loving invitation to return.

The Call to Self-Examination

Why does self-examination matter? First, it reveals sin. Like a mirror, it shows where we’ve drifted from God’s will. Psalm 139:23-24 prays, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (ESV). Second, it aligns us with God’s purposes, fostering holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). Third, it prepares us for repentance, a cornerstone of evangelical faith—turning from self to the Savior.

Lamentations 3:40 isn’t a one-time event but an ongoing process. Paul echoes this in 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” This isn’t about guilt but growth. Yet, it’s hard to do without structure. Life’s pace can drown out reflection unless we make time for it. That’s where journaling comes in.

Journaling: A Tool for Spiritual Growth

How do we set aside time to examine our ways? One great way is keeping a personal journal. Journaling isn’t just writing; it’s a disciplined act of reflection that mirrors Lamentations 3:40. It helps us search (chaqar), test (bachan), and return (shuv) to God.

Some dismiss journaling as feminine, therapeutic, or time-consuming. But consider this: many giants of faith—Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, even secular thinkers like Socrates with his “unexamined life” quip—kept journals. Edwards’ resolutions, for instance, were a form of self-examination that shaped his ministry. Journaling isn’t about gender or crisis; it’s about intentionality.

The benefits are profound:

Self-awareness: It uncovers patterns of sin or faithfulness.

Spiritual growth: Tracking prayers and insights reveals God’s work.

A record of faith: It becomes a testimony for future generations.

Practical Tips for Journaling

Ready to start? Here’s how to make journaling a habit that honors Lamentations 3:40:

Getting Started

When: Journal during your daily Bible study. Pairing it with Scripture keeps it God-focused.

How Often: Don’t feel pressured to write daily. Start with weekly reflections and grow from there.

Purpose: Write for yourself, not an audience. It’s a personal dialogue with God.

Core Reflections (Review Annually)

Set a foundation with these questions:

What are my top 5 values? (e.g., integrity, compassion). Do my actions match?

What are my spiritual gifts and weaknesses? (e.g., teaching, impatience). How can I steward them?

Who are my key relationships? What are my goals for them? (e.g., spouse, friend).

How would I ideally spend my 168 hours weekly? Compare this to reality.

Ongoing Entries

Try these subjects:

Self-examination on a value: “Am I living with integrity at work?”

Conviction: “I need to repent of anger—here’s why.”

Daily reflection: “Today’s event taught me patience.”

Goals: “I’ll pray more consistently—starting tomorrow.”

Prayers: “Lord, guide my decisions this week.”

Answers to prayer: “God provided when I least expected it.”

Life events: “That childhood move shaped my trust in God.”

Bible insights: “John 3:16 hit me anew today.”

Humor: “My toddler’s antics reminded me to laugh.”

Sermon notes: “Pastor’s point on grace challenged me.”

Each entry is a step to examine and test your ways, guiding you back to God.

Overcoming Objections

Still hesitant? Let’s address common concerns:

“It’s feminine”: Reflection is biblical, not gendered. Men like Jeremiah modeled it.

“It’s for counseling”: It’s for anyone seeking growth, not just crises.

“It’s too time-consuming”: Start small—five minutes a week. Adapt it to your life.

Journaling is flexible—use paper, a phone app, or voice notes. The key is starting.

Returning to the Lord

Lamentations 3:40 isn’t just ancient poetry; it’s a living call to examine our ways and return to God. Journaling makes this practical, offering a space to search, test, and repent. As evangelicals, we believe Scripture guides us, Christ redeems us, and the Spirit transforms us. Journaling aligns with this, fostering a life of faith and obedience.

So, set aside time this week. Grab a notebook, reflect on your ways, and turn to the Lord. May your journal become a testament to His grace and a catalyst for your growth. “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV).