Season 5 Podcast 22 John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Episode 3, Chapter 1 C. “The Slough of Despond.”

Season 5 Podcast 22 John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Episode 3, Chapter 1 C. “The Slough of Despond.” In last week’s episode, we left Christian floundering in the Slough of Despond. Remembering these are types, Obstinate, Pliable, and Christian demonstrate three different responses to discouragement. Obstinate quits before the journey begins. Pliable immediately upon falling in the Slough of Desponds, abandons Christian, finds his way out, returns home, and turns Christian’s neighbors against him.  Only Christian endures. In this episode we are introduced to Help.“Wherefore Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone; but still he tried to struggle to that side of the slough which was farthest from his own house, and next to the wicket-gate; the which, he did but could not get out because of the burden that was upon his back; but I beheld in my dream, that a man came to him whose name was Help, and asked him, What he did there?”Christian informs Help that Evangelist instructed him to go to yonder Wicket Gate to escape the wrath to come. However, he accidently fell into the Slough of Despond. A slough is a swamp which, of course, is very difficult to navigate and filled with dangers such as heavy bogs that will swallow you up. It also symbolizes an end to progress. Despond, meaning despondent means to lose faith or become depressed or low spirited or discouraged. Help asks.“But why did you not look for the steps?”Christian responds.“Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next way and fell in.”The swamp could have been avoided; however, Pilgrim’s Progress is a journey epic. It is the journey that counts, and Christian learns valuable lessons. Bunyan, of course, a Bible scholar which he refers to as The Book in Pilgrim’s Progress, learns to have patience. Therefore, I shall provide Biblical references some of which may have inspired Bunyan during his twelve years in prison.“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” (Psalms 40:1-2)Christian learns not to give in to fear.“In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:2)“ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:3)And he also learns endurance.“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Revelation: 2:10)Having learned these lessons. As suggested above he learns one more as stated by Peter, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:6-7)Help said,"Give me thine hand." So he gave him his hand, and he drew him out, and set him upon solid ground, and bade him go on his way.”Bunyan, of course, knows the end from the beginning. He knows the journey is necessary. It is Christian’s own fault that he fell into the Slough of Despond. Keep in mind that Christian’s questions are actually directed to the Lord. This is a spiritual journey. The narrator, which is Bunyan, steps into the story and asks Help the following question.Then I stepped to him that plucked him out, and said, "Sir, wherefore, since over this place is the way from the City of Destruction to yonder gate, is it that this place is not mended, that poor travelers might go thither with more safety?"