Escaping Despondency

An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from anxiety neurosis. There are so many phobias that there is even a phobephobia, a fear of fear.

John Bunyan, in his incomparable “Pilgrim’s Progress,” describes certain people graphically. I hope this description doesn’t fit you. Bunyan uses illustrative language to depict the conditions of people. He spoke of a “Slough of Despond.” A slough is a kind of swamp. “Despond” is a form of despondency. He says of certain people: “They need not fear the Slough of Despond for they carry a slough within their heart, they never get it out and they never get out of it.”

God says, “Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Don’t get bogged down in the Slough of Despond.” 

To help escape from the slough keep these words in mind:

“The light of God surrounds me
The love of God enfolds me
The power of God protects me
The presence of God watches over me
Wherever I am, God is!”