I Stage

Inner Journey

“We experience spiritual renewal through empathy, emotional growth, and longing for God” (Journey of the Soul, Chapter 7).

Characteristics of the I Stage

The beginning of the I Stage of Inner Journey usually overlaps with The Wall. Its symbol is a shovel because we need to dig into our emotions, struggles, and faith questions to get through The Wall (e.g., Psalms 13, 42, 139:23-24). Through persisting in the I Stage you can deepen your intimacy with Jesus, breaking through into a spiritual renewal in the Second Half of the CHRIST stages journey.

Key Lesson

The I Stage is about growing deeper spiritually through being emotionally honest with God and people who are gracious and wise.

Where you can get stuck

At the I Stage the main temptation is denying your emotions, needs, or problems. You may want to avoid the distress by turning back to an earlier stage that’s familiar, but that would be resisting God’s work of grace. This potential roadblock may become a wall where you feel stuck in your growth.

God’s Grace for the I Stage: Deeper Experiences of God’s Love

You grow in the Inner Journey by taking courage to ask for help with your emotions, needs, and desires. The way up into the joys of intimacy with God starts with moving down by being gut-honest about your struggles and brokenness so you can receive empathy at the Lord’s throne of grace (Heb. 4:16).

Growth in the I Stage

There are ten soul care practices that are especially important for becoming more healthy and loving in the I Stage (Journey of the Soul, pp. 160-165).

Key Scripture

Emotionally Vulnerable Prayers are Helpful

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139:23–24).

Key Quotes

“By being emotionally honest with God and trustworthy people in the I Stage we receive more of the Holy Spirit's inner healing and re-forming" (Ja. 5:16; Journey of the Soul, p. 145).