Immanuel Journaling: A Simple Way to Build Secure Attachment with God
Have you ever thought, “I know God loves me… but why can’t I feel it?”
You’re not alone in that.
Belief matters, of course—but secure attachment isn’t built on belief alone. It’s built on felt safety. The kind your nervous system can recognize. The kind that whispers, “You’re not alone. You’re safe. You’re loved.”
That’s what makes Immanuel Journaling so powerful. It’s not flashy. It’s not formulaic. It’s just a gentle, intentional way to slow down, be present, and experience God—not as a concept, but as someone who is with you.
Why This Practice Matters
We live in a world that pushes us into hurry. Into survival mode. Into checking boxes.
And when we’re stuck in that space, our relational circuits tend to shut down. We stop feeling connected—to others, to ourselves, even to God.
Immanuel Journaling helps shift that.
It’s not magic. But it is grounding. Re-centering. It helps us remember:
God is here.
He’s not annoyed or distant.
He’s actually glad to be with us.
Jim Wilder puts it this way:
“You don’t feel loved because someone says they love you. You feel loved when they’re glad to be with you.”
That’s what this practice cultivates. That kind of love.
What Is Immanuel Journaling?
At its core, it’s a relational way of connecting with God. Not a script. Not a test. Just a conversation—with pauses, with emotion, with presence.
It’s based on neuroscience, attachment, and spiritual formation—and it actually helps your brain re-learn how to stay connected with God, especially when you’re hurting or stressed.
Over time, it can help you develop:
Greater emotional awareness
Stronger relational connection
A more secure attachment with God
How to Try It (5 Simple Steps)
All you need is a quiet space, a journal, and a few unhurried minutes.
Start with a question.
Ask: “Jesus, where were You in that hard moment?”
Or: “Where were You with me today?”Pause and notice.
Don’t force it. Just wait. See what comes—images, emotions, a sense of peace. It doesn’t have to be dramatic.Write it down.
Jot down whatever came. You’re not documenting perfection—you’re making space for connection.Respond.
Share your heart back with Him. Even if it’s messy or unsure. Be honest. Be you.End with thanks.
Even just a simple “Thank You for being here.” This helps anchor the sense of safety.
What Happens in You Over Time
The more you do this, the more your internal world starts to shift.
You feel less alone in the hard stuff.
You start staying present instead of shutting down.
You begin to expect connection instead of isolation.
And maybe most beautifully—you stop just believing God is with you.
You start feeling it.
One Honest Reminder
If you’ve spent most of your life with anxious, avoidant, or fearful patterns of attachment, this might feel… unfamiliar. Even uncomfortable at first.
That’s okay. That’s normal.
New things often feel weird before they feel healing.
So be gentle with yourself. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just practicing something new.
And even trying is an act of hope.
Try This Today
Pick one small moment from the last 24 hours—something that felt off, or sweet, or just… ordinary.
Ask Jesus, “Where were You in that?”
Write down what comes.
Then sit with it. Let it be what it is.
Series Wrap-Up
That wraps up this series—but really, it’s not the end.
If any of this stirred something in you—if a part of you softened or paid attention—don’t rush past that. Follow it.
Because healing doesn’t come through trying harder.
It comes through connection.
You were made for secure attachment—with people, yes.
But especially with the God who sees you.
Knows you.
And is glad to be with you.
