For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

One of my favorite books is John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. It is an allegory in which the main character, Christian, journeys from the City of Destruction to dwell with God in the Celestial City. Christian is met by all types of characters and situations that tempt him to turn around, doubt his own ability, and forsake his journey all together. Yet with each chapter, the reader is also able to see how he is provided help along the way. During his journey he comes across a palace called Beautiful with servants that provide Christian with armor, a shield, and a sword for his journey.

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In one part of the story Christian enters two different and distinct valleys. The first is an open valley called Valley of Humiliation, where he sees an enemy of the King named Apollyon (mean-ing the devil or “destroyer”). Apollyon reminds Christian of all his failures and tells Christian he will allow him to pass unharmed if he forsakes his beloved king. Christian thinks about turning around but knows his armor wouldn’t protect his back. As Christian steps forward, a battle breaks out, with Apollyon throwing fiery arrows at Christian. And this isn’t a little battle, it’s a long battle where, despite having his armor and shield, he grows tired and weary.

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Upon piercing his enemy and making Apollyon flee, Christian journeys yet again into another valley. Unlike the previous valley where he can see the enemy coming, Christian is thrust into a dark valley with mist all about. He can’t quite see where he is going, but he knows if he steps to the right, he will lose his footing in a quagmire and, if he steps to the left, he will drown in a water-filled ditch. He knows he must keep going, slowly and cautiously as the path to the Celestial City leads straight through this valley. It is on the narrow and dangerous path where he hears voices of evil, taunting and tempting him, so much so that he begins to confuse the dark voices for the voice of his very own. His sword is of no use to him, and he begins to doubt the goodness of his King as fear overtakes him.

Have you ever found yourself in a valley, exposed on all sides, feeling like the fiery arrows just keep coming at you? You tell yourself this is a season, you’ll get through it, and then the next hit pierces you so that you feel like you can’t even stand.

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A few years ago, I had a season in my life where the hits just kept on coming. My husband had a job transition, our extended family was dealing with a confusing situation that seemed to only leave devastation in its wake, our close friends decided to up and move out of state, another family friend and my husband’s coworker were diagnosed with cancer, and to top it all off, our one kid was dealing with severe eczema issues and another kiddo was just starting therapy to address his learning disabilities. This was all within the month of January - I kid you not!

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I prayed. I cried. I worshiped. I spent time with Jesus. I wasn’t doing well. Interestingly enough, in Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian makes it out of the Valley of Humiliation defeating his enemy Apollyon through the piercing of his sword. He is able to rest and recover, but soon he finds himself entering another valley, Valley of the Shadow of Death. Sound familiar?

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It is not until he hears the voice of another pilgrim up ahead, praying the Scripture out loud that Christian clings to hope. Encouraged that he is not alone, he too begins to hasten in prayer. Christian keeps going.

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Have you ever felt like you’ve been in this dark valley? Unable to see the light, voices clouding the truth of God’s good Gospel? You feel it’s impossible to move forward, and moving to the left and right are just as bad as turning around: you’re stuck.

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In my own personal season of walking through a dark valley I reached out to my doctor who recommended medication. I thought the idea was ridiculous. I didn’t struggle with anxiety; I was just having “a hard season.” But as Christian makes it out of the dark valley, he looks back and sees how God’s holy angels had protected him from all the traps and pits. As I look back, I see how God provided help with medication, help with therapy, and help through other’s prayers and encouragement. Like Christian, I was not alone.

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Do I still struggle with my mental health, despite prayer, despite God’s word acting as my powerful weapon of defense? The answer is yes. But as we reflect on this verse that Paul gives to the Ephesians, he is telling them to stand. When all is said and done, Jesus is the one who is our Victory, Jesus is the one who will come back and once and for all slay our enemy. We are only required to stand. To be ready, because we are designed and destined to live with him forever in his Celestial City.

Heavenly Father, thank you that you are our victory. Thank you that when I’m walking through the valley of the shadow of death, you never leave or forsake me. Thank you that as I reflect and look back, I can see how you protected my soul, how you brought help and encouragement in the seasons of darkness and doubt. I pray to take up the armor, the shield and the sword to fight the battles I can’t understand and the evil that tempts me to become apathetic or complacent. Give me your strength to reach out for help and give me your encouragement through others, so that when I’m tired and weary, I am still able to stand. Amen.