How to Change Your Life through Spiritual Autobiography

The Twenties:

Learn how to change your life through spiritual autobiography, or spiritual memoir. You can begin by sharing how life changes are part of your story. This page will help you share these important changes within your spiritual journal.

My life as a woman in her twenties, in many ways, was not very different from my life at thirteen. Some things just hadn't changed. Some things that needed to change had become more problematic. I could see the need for change in my life, but I wasn't sure how to bring this change about. I wanted my life, and some parts of myself, to change in big ways. I was searching for a way to better balance in my life, but I couldn't find it. I needed a solution. 

Do you see the need for change in your life? How would you like your life to be different than it has been in the past? How would you like your life to be different than it is today? Have you asked God to help you in your movement towards change? Ask Him for His help and believe that He will answer you.

I saw the need for change in my life but I didn’t know where to begin. Fortunately I had someone to guide me toward needed change: a God who wanted me to find my way out of the place I was in. He was the constant in my life. He was the force behind my spiritual autobiography long before I even realized I had a story to tell.

The challenges in our lives can become the fuel for our stories. What seems to be pulling us down, properly managed, can become a gift that gives us and others hope. Spiritual autobiography is an opportunity for us to share our journeys (including the good, the bad and the ugly) so that others like us will find hope and encouragement. Don't be afraid of the force behind your spiritual autobiography. Light can be found in the darkness. Hope is often found where we least expect it. Change someone else’s life. Change your life. Tell your story.

Sharing My Journey 

My life changing moments:

At my parents’ home I have a bed. It looks quaint and unassuming. Really, it’s a place of torment. Strange, disturbing and horrible dreams are my nighttime reality. In my dream world I’m often helpless. Sometimes it feels like I’m drowning or suffocating.  My dreams have been odd like this since I was little kid. I’ve always had weird dreams.

Nothing has changed in my nighttime world except that things have gotten worse. I still fall asleep quickly, and frequently, but I don’t stay asleep. I often wake up screaming and sweating. My heart will be pounding within my chest making it impossible for me to fall back asleep. Until my heart stops racing it’s not even worth bothering to try closing my eyes. Sometimes I’ll stay awake until the sun comes up. I’m too afraid to go back to bed because I know the nightmares will keep coming if I do. These are the worst nights because exhaustion hits early and with a heaviness that stays with me right through the next day. When the next night comes there’s no guarantee that rest will come. In fact, it almost never comes.

I need a change. I can’t live my life like this anymore. I need to get some help. There’s got to be a reason why I’m awake all night long. There’s got to be a reason for my terrible dreams. I’m reaching out for help. There have to be answers. Today, I’ve decided, is the day I’m going to find them. Today is the day my life is going to change.

 

Normal
Age 23

Sharing Your Journey

Explore your life changing moments:

We have someone to guide us toward needed change: a God who wants us to find our way out of the messes we’re in. He is the constant in our lives. We are not the same people we once were, because God is constantly driving us toward change despite our circumstances.

Throughout your life you have changed in many ways. At the same time, some things about you have remained constant. Are you happy with this consistency? Why or why not? Record your thoughts within your journal. Invite God to help you where change is needed.

Find a place for change within your spiritual story. Celebrate the wonderful ways you are different than you once were. Allow your spiritual autobiography to tell others about how you have changed and still hope to change. Expect others to hear your story and find that they are not alone. Don't be surprised if you inspire someone to change!

Testimonies: The Power of Inspirational Christian Stories was formerly titled Dancing in the Doghouse. This spiritual autobiography has been renamed and redesigned to better reach its audience.