Hope in the Slough of Despond -- Reflections on Pilgrim’s Progress
-- Anger.
Such a truly queer emotion.
So powerful.
So deadly.
So tyrannical over the sinner’s strivings to be Godly.
They say actions speak louder than words -- but who knew one insult could hurt more than the heaviest punch thrown by the assailant?
Grace.
Such a magnificently profound aspect of our Creator.
So powerful.
So beautiful.
So inexplicably humbling and mysterious all at the same time.
They say you can’t move on until you forgive yourself -- but who knew that a greater Forgiveness could bring this peace that passes understanding?
A mind will wonder, when afflicted, why anger should still exist after you’ve passed the checkpoint of Calvary and your great burden rolled into the tomb. The life-long journey to Zion’s Mountain is such a lighter affair now.
Or is it?
Yet out of nowhere, this tyrannical hand grasps your hopeful mindset and slowly, steadily pulls it down into the Slough of Despond.
Again.
Oh, where is Help?
But the King sent Understanding towards your plight, and like a beautiful morning, she dawns on your filthy, up-turned face amidst the struggle in the mire, showing a narrow, yet straight path that surely, surely leads up to solid ground.
Understanding’s gentle, scolding voice echoes around your head.
So simple.
So pure.
And then there’s that all invading Peace again, that Peace which Grace instilled in you that very first time you accepted His sacrifice.
And as you shake off the mud with which Despondency almost claimed you, you catch a glimmer from just over the far-off horizon of something so beautiful your tired eyes can’t help but strain to see better.
Zion’s Mountain.
And from in front of you, down the straight, narrow path came Hope, beautifully solemn and glowing like a strange creature not of this world.
And he took your hand.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me;Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” -- Psalm 23:4
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