Examen, part 4: Review Your Day

STEP 4. Review your day (with the help of the Holy Spirit)

Having introduced STEPS 1-3 (acknowledge God’s presence, share grateful moments, ask for the Spirit’s help), today’s focus is the review of your day (or week). If you can, replay it like a movie in your mind. Notice details and contexts of what happened and how you acted – particularly your motives and feelings. Try not to psychoanalyze or fix anything; simply note motives, actions and reactions. Writing down is not necessary but can be a bonus in the effort. Abbreviated STEP 3: Holy Spirit, help me as I review my day…

The following questions can be helpful in your review

When did I fail today? why?
When did I give love today?
Where did I receive love today?
What habits and life patterns do I notice in my day?
In what ways did I notice God in my day?
When did I feel most alive? Most drained of life?
When did I have the greatest sense of belonging?
When did I have the least sense of belonging?
When was I most free? Least free?
When was I most creative? Least creative?
When did I feel most fully myself? Least myself?
When did I feel most whole? Most fragmented?

As you review, allow your thoughts to wander through situations you've been in and allow God to speak about them, to challenge,
encourage and/or teach you through them. Write about about what God reveals to you:

Journal Prompt:
Notes from reviewing my day:

Looking Ahead: Tomorrow is the heart-to-heart talk with Jesus.

Micro-Meditation

Psalm 32:6-7

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Teaching or Command of God:

Psalm 27:5

For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.

Colossians 3:3-4

You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is your life. When he appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory.

Pondering Point

The Psalmist says to God: You are my hiding place; love it! How is God serving as a hiding place for you spiritually? Emotionally? Intellectually?