Navigating the Slough of Despond
Hello, my friends.
During this time of quarantine, one of the things I’ve been doing is rereading. I’ve been going back to books that I’ve read and experienced before that have given me comfort and perspective and meaning over the years. And because we’ve been studying the Psalms of Ascent, which are essentially songs for the journey, I’ve decided to go back and revisit one of my childhood favorites, The Pilgrim’s Progress.
It might just be the most significant spiritual book written, aside from the Bible. A tale that is so true and revealing that it has proven invaluable for thousands of pilgrims on their spiritual journey of discipleship. Each of the characters and challenges faced by Christian are told with poignancy and depth.
As I was rereading the familiar tale, I was struck by the very first obstacle Christian encounters as he is heading out on the road. He has immediately gained two companions, Obstinate and Pliable. Obstinate, unsurprisingly, decides to return home at the first sign of difficulty, but Pliable remains with Christian. That is until they reach the Slough of Despond. It is a bog filled with deep mud, and pretty soon the two are sinking. The mud of despondency is dejection. It is depression. And it is overwhelming.
Pliable fights his way out of the slough, but on the same side of the bog from which he came. And that is good by him. He can return home. He is done with his journey.
But not Christian. Aware of his burden and his inability to go on, he finds himself encountering a new friend, Helpful. Helpful throws out a hand and pulls Christian from the clutches of the slough. Relieved at being rescued, Christian asks helpful why the dangerous bog hasn’t been repaired.
Helpful replies, ?“This miry slough is a place that can’t be repaired. It is a low-lying place where the scum and filth that come with the conviction of sin drain and collect as the traveling sinner becomes aware of his lost condition. It is the fears, doubts, and discouraging apprehensions about oneself that arise in his soul.”
Oh, how I know this place. And I’m pretty sure you do too. This bog of discomfort is really the experience of deep grief. Grief at our weaknesses, sin, and lack of control. Grief in our limits and lack of freedom. Grief at the fears and anticipations of what may come. These things can suck us down so quickly into the mirk. They can irritate us and make us impatient. They result in outbursts of anger and frustration and tears.
In Psalm 121, from Sunday, the Psalmist asks, “Where does my help come from?” It is a question asked out of desperation. The answer is not ourselves, although that is usually our first impulse. The answer is not from the mountains or from any other created thing, although that is usually our plan B. The right answer is from the Creator. From the Maker. From the Author.
And like Helpful, our Creator reaches a hand out to us in our swampy despondency and sets our feet upon firm ground. Because there is already a way through the swamp. It has been prepared ahead of time. You just have to be looking for it. Firm footings to navigate our way through the dangerous mire.
And sometimes we forget and go plowing on ahead. We entertain the thoughts and worries and fears and down we go.
We can choose either to get sucked down, or maybe just swim our way back the way we came. Or we can humbly accept a hand up. God reaches out a hand of aid to any of us desperate enough to take it. That desperation is a gift. And when we take that hand, we are placed on the firm footings, and led through the bog to other side. To the continuing journey ahead.
There are plenty more challenges ahead for Christian. But every one of them allows him to grow, to change, and to be transformed. To be prepared for his true destination. A city awaiting him, made by God, full of freedom and truth.
I’m sure that all of us have been experiencing different levels of despondency and grief. These are unavoidable, unfixable realities that we face in life. The promise is not that they will be eliminated. The promise is that we have a helper. A guardian. Someone who goes with us through them.
So take that hand, and keep your eyes open for the way forward. I promise you, it’s there.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Cor. 10:13
And just a reminder that tonight we have Deeper Walk at 7 pm. I’d love to see you there! The Zoom Meeting ID: 652 073 534 and Password: 424026
Love you guys!
Jeff