Introducing a thoughtfully designed grief journal that combines the therapeutic benefits of writing with the sacred, spiritual practice of lament.
when life hurts, this journal offers a safe place to release your pain + find rest
Rest: A Journal for Lament
A safe space for processing your pain and finding hope in grief.
A safe space for processing your pain and healing in grief.
With the Rest Journal, you’ll learn a simple, yet powerful four-part journaling structure that helps you express your thoughts and feelings and write a path through the pain to hope and healing for your life.
REST: A JOURNAL FOR LAMENT
EXPLORE THE journal
If you’ve endured a heart-breaking event or any type of loss in your life, then you know what it’s like to walk through a dark season—a time marked by sorrow, grief, depression, or even despair.
Maybe you’ve tried to push through the pain silently or pretend it isn't there. You may feel numb, unsure how you’ll ever find hope again.
Instead of turning away from your pain or searching for someone to "fix" your pain, it's time to honor your experience and listen to what you need.
This is where journaling your laments can help. Rest: A Journal for Lament can help you enter the depths of your experiences during the darkest nights. You can process your pain honestly in a safe place and discover that healing and rest are possible.
If you feel far from God, this journal offers a practical, no-pretense way of drawing near to Him. Through the powerful process of journaling laments, you’ll learn how to release your unrest and hold on to hope.
Discover hope + healing in hard times through lament.
LET THIS JOURNAL BE YOUR COMPANION & GUIDE
ADD TO CART
You can find your way to Hope even in the darkest nights of pain.
You can find your way to Hope even in the darkest nights of grief.
IF YOU'RE LONGING for a safe space to rest the turmoil of your hurting heart, THIS GUIDED GRIEF JOURNAL CAN HELP YOU:
Does life feel like too much to bear?
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The Rest Journal is intentionally designed to help you:
REGAIN a sense of control when life feels out of control THROUGH THE ACTION-ORIENTATED NATURE OF JOURNALING
MOVE THROUGH spiritual DISAPPOINTMENT AND FRUSTRATION BY turning toward God through the practice of lament
Discover an easy to use 4-part journaling system that will HELP YOU renew YOUR mind
JOURNAL daily or as needed; this journal can HOLD A season, year, OR lifetime of SACRED laments
MAKE space FOR your painful emotions, process difficult questions, and find rest
BUY NOW
A different way of journaling
YOUR GRIEF JOURNEY IS UNIQUE
You need a journal that’s adaptable and addresses your specific feelings of loss.
all types of loss, grief, and difficult situations deserve to be honored
Whether you’re feeling hopeless, helpless, or spiritually distant with God because you're mourning a death, facing a season of unknowns, or aching from past trauma, the Rest Journal invites you in.
THIS IS not your typical grief journal for remembrance and not just for the loss of a loved one
appropriate for navigating depression
and anxiety
Most journals offer either blank pages or lists of DIFFERENT questions, but here you'll find a simple yet powerful journaling structure
The Rest Journal is designed to help you process your honest experiences in a way that invites you to pivot your weary heart toward Hope in an authentic way (no forced positivity here).
Like we've already said, this journal is not just for the loss of a loved one (although it’s perfect for that).
You'll be better able to process your thoughts and feelings so that you can move toward rest and hope in the dark moments in life.
here's what you need to know
the exterior details
- Hardcover wrapped in quality linen, worthy of holding your sacred thoughts and prayers
- The cloth cover comes in the color "dusk," a deep bluish-gray color, representing a time of darkness descending while waiting for and seeking the light
- Gold foiling on the cover
- Soft gold ribbon for easily finding your place (these gold details were chosen to represent the priceless worth and value of your heart held in the pages of your journal)
- Swiss flat-lay binding offers comfortable writing anywhere, anytime (no awkward closing while you write)
- At 5.5" x 8.5" this journal fits nicely in your purse, bag, nightstand drawer, or bookshelf
A beautiful and functional addition to your current lifestyle and rhythms.
rest journal features
beauty meets function
the interior details
- Crisp white pages
- 8 weeks worth of lament entries (that's space to write 56 laments)
- Each lament entry offers a clear 4-part structure with lined space to express what you feel, need, and hope along with space to listen
- Also includes check-in pages as well as remembrance pages with the following sections: significant dates, a comfort + care plan, memories, quotes + scriptures, what I'm learning, and gratitude + provision
- Plus, a final section of blank, lined pages for personal space + free writing
- 205 pages in total length
A guided journaling experience to help you endure pain with hope, even in the darkest moments of hopelessness.
"It is important to pay attention to our pain. It is important to embrace the way of weeping and wrestling in order to know light and life in the midst and in spite of loss. This journal will help you do just that. Lean into the way of listening and lament—Kristin Vanderlip creates a safe and sure framework for finding hope in the midst of all that hurts."
Rachel Marie Kang
"Kristin is a gentle guide for anyone who longs to move from brokenness to hope--and to do so with honesty and openness before the Lord. This journal walks readers through a Biblical model of lament and helps to create the spiritual and physical space that's needed for us to be able to reflect and rest in the middle of our painful seasons. This beautiful book would be a thoughtful, tender gift for anyone you love--and for your own heart."
"Take a load off, draw a deep breath, and settle into Kristin Vanderlip's thoughtful new journal, Rest. In these helpful pages, you'll find the space to feel deeply and the courage to chart your own course through suffering toward hope."
"I’m not someone who typically journals, but this journal helped me immensely.
- LEAH K.
When I felt weighed down by grief—whether from the loss of a loved one, nagging uncertainty, or regret—Lament helped me to name what I was feeling, lay it before the Lord, and remember who He is in the midst of my pain."
“This journal is a constant reminder of God's transformative love and power in our lives.
- ARIEL CURRY,
BOOK COACH & EDITOR
When we feel stuck in our weeping and wrestling, Kristin Vanderlip gently guides us to the healing and hope that is always possible when we trust God with our heart's deepest laments. The thoughtful four-step framework and pages for checking in with ourselves make this journal a helpful and safe place to truly find rest during the storms and changing seasons of our lives."
“After using the Rest Journal I was not only inspired to keep journaling, but found the words flowed much easier as time went on.
- sarah frazer,
Proverbs 31 ministries contributing writer
During the time of using the journal our family had gone through a very traumatic experience. It was vital I not keep the feelings of anger, disappointment, hurt, and bitterness stuck in my heart. The way I was able to keep my head above water was journaling. This journal was exactly what I needed to get started. Once I started, the words continued to flow. Kristin's journal helped walk me through several weeks of intense pain. This journal gave me space to express my feelings - even the hard ones."
Kristin Vanderlip is passionate about spreading the love of writing as a source of healing and hope. She is an author, freelance editor, writing coach, and journaling advocate, whose writing has been featured at (in)courage, Proverbs 31 Ministries, and DaySpring.
Kristin leads journaling workshops, hosting anywhere from 5-50 people a session, and has coached hundreds of writers on using daily journaling.
plus there's more
Don't miss these additional resources...
Bonuses include:
- A video from Kristin leading you through a lament journaling session using your journal
- A sample journal page filled out to help you get started
- "Affirmations Ideas" PDF to encourage your soul and help you write to affirm + assure yourself of goodness and truths in the dark
- "Lament Scriptures" PDF to inspire you in writing your own laments + offering you words when you struggle to find them
- A Spotify playlist curated with soothing instrumentals to listen to as you journal
Yours free when you purchase the Rest Journal.
Typical processing time for orders is 1-2 business days. Tuesdays and Fridays are my designated shipping dates. **To ensure delivery by Christmas, place your holiday orders by December 14th and select Priority shipping at checkout.
when will my JOURNAL ship?
Do you offer a discount for bulk purchases?
- 10% off orders of 10 or more journals (great for gifts and small groups)
- 15% off orders of 25 or more journals (great for ministries, events, and conferences)
If you're a local business owner who would like to sell copies of the Rest Journal in your store, please reach out! Click here to use the contact form to inquire about available wholesale discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you ship internationally?
Yes! I'm hoping to provide international shipping for journal orders. Check shipping options at checkout. Please note: International packages may not qualify for tracking; customers assume this risk.
What if I'm unhappy with my order? What are your return and refund policies?
How do I claim my pre-order bonuses?
I have never tried journaling or have never had much success journaling in the past. is this journal right for me?
I DON'T IDENTIFY AS christian or I'm unsure where my faith stands at the moment. is this journal right for me?
Your satisfaction is important to me, which is why I take extra care to create and curate all the items you find in my shop. If an item arrives damaged, please CLICK HERE to send me a note within 5 days of receiving your order so I can help take care of the issue. Unopened, unused journals can be returned within 30 days of purchase; the cost of the journal will be refunded to you (but you will still be charged the cost of shipping). Email hello @ kristinvanderlip.com with any questions.
Please click here to use this form to claim your pre-order bonuses. Digital pre-order bonuses will be sent to the email address you enter on the form or at checkout (please check spam/promotion folders). If your pre-order included a physical product bonus, that will ship with your journal when it ships.
- check back for additional resources coming soon.
- read this article on how to cultivate a successful journaling habit.
- join my Pen & Mend Collective coming in January 2023.
This journal is inspired by the Christian biblical practice of lament and includes references to various scriptures. However, the Rest Journal can be used whether you feel far from God, question God, or aren't even sure about God. But please do know that this journal invites you to explore your faith in your grief.
