In The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan’s Christian walks through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, beset by fears and terrors on every side. Yet he presses on. And at the end of his journey, he crosses the river and enters the Celestial City, where all his fears are finally put to rest. So it is with us. The valley may be dark, but we are not walking through it alone.

Facing up to the harsh realities of living with the maladies of anxiety and depression is not easy. Yet we must learn with Charles Spurgeon to kiss the waves that cast us against the Rock of Ages. Anxiety and depression, those unwelcome visitors in the Christian life, often feel just like crashing waves, don’t they? They’re like an endless storm—waves rolling, winds howling, and no sign of relief on the horizon. Yet through the storm, we are not without anchor—our anchor is in the heavenly places, preserving us through the storm. Anxiety and depression serve as profound reminders that we are not home yet. They afford us an opportunity to tap into deeper communion with the Lord. They serve to increase grace in us. In short, these afflictions are, counterintuitively, advantageous.

The Path of Perseverance

If there is one thing that we must settle in our minds once more, it is this: Our goal is not freedom from anxiety at all costs. Our goal is faithfulness. The temptation when suffering affliction—whether bodily or psychological—is to fixate on relief, to seek a way out as quickly as possible. But, as we have seen, Scripture does not promise us the removal of all suffering in this life. Rather, it calls us to trust, to endure, and to walk forward in obedience even when we do not feel like it.

It is precisely in our moments of deep distress that we learn what it means to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding (Prov. 3:5). Faithfulness does not mean the absence of fear; it means the presence of the Holy Spirit. It means believing the promises of God even when fear is loud. It means praying even when prayer feels futile. It means pressing on even when despair tells us to give up. It means standing firm even when the storm of anxiety beats against us. It means continuing on in our predetermined agenda even when every part of us wants to collapse.

The Path of Providence

In our lowest moments, we must cling to this unshakable truth: God is sovereign over our suffering, and He is using it for our good. This is not just theological rhetoric; it is a bedrock promise. Every moment of anxiety, every dark night of the soul, and every tear that falls are accounted for in the eternal plan of a loving Father. There is no wasted suffering in the kingdom of God. Your anxiety or depression is no accident, and it will not go to waste in God’s economy.

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