Friday Fight 216: eMapping the Soul - Navigating Spiritual Terrain

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF216.

What comes to mind when we hear the word terrain? For some, it may be a lush garden, rich with the fragrance of blooming flowers. Others might imagine a peaceful beach, feeling the warmth of the sun and soothed by the sound of ocean waves.

Whatever the setting, terrain shapes how we move through it. To navigate unfamiliar territory, we prepare — maybe even pull up a map. Spiritually, the same is true. Our inner terrain — the landscape of the soul — tells a story. It’s filled with valleys we’ve walked, deserts we’ve wandered, and mountains we’ve climbed. So how do we change the spiritual terrain around us?

eMapping the Soul: Navigating Spiritual Terrain

When we reflect on the landscape of our soul, we begin to see how far we've come — and where God is still working to grow or heal us. It's an invitation to become more aware of your current spiritual state and the journey that brought you here.

Each of us walks through different spiritual terrains: grief, shame, confusion. These are the soul's landscapes. They reflect the wounds we carry — shaping how we see ourselves and relate to God. Yet the most important part of any spiritual journey is acknowledging where we are — and how deeply we need Him.

Can we change the landscape of our soul on our own? No, we cannot. But God, in His infinite grace, meets us right where we are — in the rugged terrains of grief, shame, confusion, and regret. These are the places that expose the soul to pain and despair. But here’s the truth: we are not meant to stay there. God enters these places with His love and grace. When we invite Him into our struggles, He transforms them with His truth. You are not alone. He is always present, ready to comfort and guide you.

Isaiah 43:19 says “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” This verse reminds us that Christ doesn’t wait for us to reach better ground. He meets us right in the places we long to escape — even in the depths of our pain.

If you're in a desert, isolated and empty because of pain, only His living water — His spiritual nourishment and comfort — will quench your thirst. Maybe there's a valley in your life that you've never surrendered to God — a place you've tried to keep hidden. Acknowledging your need for Him is the first step toward transformation. In a terrain of emptiness, God supplies all our needs.

Whether your current soul terrain feels like a blooming garden or a barren wilderness, this is where God is working. Don't rush past it. He blesses the very ground you stand on — not just the destination you dream of reaching. You don’t need to avoid it, escape it, or pretend you’re somewhere else. God will meet you right in the middle and everything begins to change.

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Photo Credit: Lorrie Taylor

In His Grace,

Pastor Shannon

River Church