Gretchen Saffles - The Well-Watered Life

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The Well-Watered Life

Copyright 2021 by Gretchen Saffles. All rights reserved.

Cover and interior illustrations by Heather Powers. Copyright Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved. Title hand-lettered by Sarah Brown of Lovely Lettering Co. Copyright Well-Watered Women. All rights reserved and used with permission.

Designed by Libby Dykstra

Edited by Stephanie Rische

Published in association with William K. Jensen Literary Agency, 119 Bampton Court, Eugene, Oregon 97404.

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ISBN 978-1-4964-4549-0

ISBN 978-1-4964-4551-3 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-4964-4550-6 (Kindle); ISBN 978-1-4964-4552-0 (Apple)

Build: 2021-04-21 22:38:18 EPUB 3.0

Hey, friend.

Theres a reason you picked up this journal. You might be thumbing through the pages, wondering what this book really has to offer. You might feel discouraged in your walk with Jesus, not knowing how to get from a life that feels weary and dried up to a life thats abundant and well watered. You might have a deep craving in your soul for more than what this world has for you, but you dont know where to go from here. If youre nodding your head, youre in good company, because Ive been there too.

At the age of seven, I gave my life to Jesus, but it wasnt until much later that I came to grasp the full implications of the gospel. Id attend church on Sunday then go about my life on Monday, not understanding how the words of Scripture applied to my everyday struggles. I strove after perfection and good girl status, not realizing that it was all in vain apart from Jesus. I ran hard after what the world offers success, popularity, beauty, possessions, relationships and ended up winded and empty handed.

Ive found myself at the bottom of plenty of empty wells, and from that vantage point, Ive been able to see that the things of this world are fleeting but Gods faithfulness is forever. Every time Ive found myself there, Ive discovered the grace of Jesus to be all the sweeter and the Good News of the gospel all the more powerful. Since that day I surrendered my life to Christ, Ive questioned my identity, trudged through an eating disorder, seen loved ones suffer, and battled anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. Ive been like a dried-up well.

But Jesus has never let me stay there, because when I gave my life to him, he gave me a new identity as a Well-Watered Woman. He exchanged my brokenness for his wholeness, my wandering for his mission, my striving for his peace. He has shown me a new path to walk on one where he is forever by my side, guiding my steps. The dried-up moments of my life dont define me because Ive been redefined by Christ. Do I still struggle at times? Yes. Do I stay there? No. I am well watered and becoming well watered. And if youve given your life to Jesus, the same is true for you.

We are on this journey of knowing Jesus together. He came to offer us new life, hope, and freedom, and this isnt just for tomorrow; its for right now, today. The purpose of this journal is to encourage you in your own journey of living the well-watered life. I pray that throughout these pages, God would do a work in your heart to root you in the Word, grow you in grace, and cause your life to flourish for his glory!

By the time you finish filling out these pages, youll be different than you were when you started because thats what following Jesus does it changes you from the inside out. May you seek him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength as you live the well-watered life made possible through the Cross.

The goal of this journal is for you to use it as a companion on your journey of following Jesus. Think of it as an encouraging friend who reminds you to follow Christ. As you walk through the pages of this journal, you will be encouraged to make changes in your inner life changes that will manifest in your outward actions.

In my book The Well-Watered Woman, I share more in depth about what the well-watered life looks like and how following Jesus transforms us from the inside out. This journal can be used with the book to help you put into practice what you learn through your reading. Ive indicated the specific chapters that go with the theme of each part of the journal so you can reread the chapter or dig deeper.

This journal is also designed to be something you use over a long period of time. The well-watered life doesnt happen overnight. Likewise, you wont finish this journal overnight. Its meant to be an encouragement as you keep pursuing Christ in the daily grind. Learning to implement spiritual disciplines is like planting a small seed. It takes time for the seed to grow, become deeply rooted, and produce fruit. Following Jesus is a lifetime journey, not something to mark off a checklist.

You may find yourself wanting to sprint through this journal. My encouragement to you is to think of this journey as a marathon, with Jesus as the ultimate prize. Not only is he the prize, but he is also with you every step of the way.

Through the six different parts of this journal, you will experience ways to live out spiritual disciplines in your everyday life. The Well-Watered Life journal is designed to prompt you to pursue Christ in the rhythms of your days so you can know him more.

Youll find specific ways to practice the spiritual disciplines near the end of each part. You can stick with one spiritual discipline for a period of time to create a daily habit and rhythm, or once youve read through the introductions to each part, you can alternate the parts you use each week. The purpose is to give you some soil to plant the seeds of spiritual disciplines into your soul so you can grow and produce fruit.

Donald S. Whitney, the author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, defines spiritual disciplines as those practices found in Scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are habits of devotion, habits of experiential Christianity that have been practiced by Gods people since biblical times. Spiritual disciplines are practical rhythms designed by God to conform our hearts, minds, attitudes, and actions to the ways of Christ. They are the fruit of a soul that loves God and desires to live according to his Word. Spiritual disciplines lead us to the well-watered life that is deeply rooted in the gospel. They are not a form of legalism; they are the way we love Jesus and live like him and the way we find freedom.