Perseverance and The Pilgrim's Progress

A couple of months ago I wrote an essay for a writing contest. My prompt was to choose either a real person or a literary figure who displayed perseverance and explain how they have inspired me to persevere and what I have learned from their example. Below is my essay. May you be encouraged to persevere in your "journey to the celestial city."

When Life Throws Dragons at You

Perseverance is a trait that many people lack. When faced with challenges, it’s often easier to give up, call it quits, and turn back. So when people see someone who refuses to let difficulty deter him from his goals, they take notice. He may be called stubborn or foolish by some, but others will praise him and be inspired by him. People enjoy stories with heroes who refuse to let the bad guys win, who will persevere in doing what is right at all costs. One such hero is Christian from The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. This book is an allegory which presents Christian’s physical journey as a representation of a believer’s spiritual journey. Perseverance is defined as “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition” (Merriam-Webster). In Christian’s case, that something was reaching the Celestial City, and he certainly did have opposition, failure, and difficulties. So how did he display perseverance?

At the start of his journey, Christian is immediately met with opposition. When he first learns about the impending destruction of his city, which represents the world, he is greatly distressed, and begins to have a growing burden on his back, the weight of his sin. He begins to warn his friends and family of the danger they are all in, but they think he has gone mad. His grief and fear grow by the day, and he longs to know how he can escape condemnation. One day he meets a man named Evangelist who tells him that he must go to the Wicket Gate and there will be told what to do in order to be rid of his burden. Eagerly, Christian sets out running and is immediately opposed. The book reads, “and as he ran some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to return; and among those that did so, there were two that resolved to fetch him back by force” (4). However, Christian is so determined that none of these people can keep him in the city. Of the two that chased him, one turned back after perceiving that there was no use in trying to convince him, and the other continued on his journey with him for a time. This would not be the last time that Christian faced opposition, and yet he persevered.

No hero would be entirely relatable if he didn’t have his failures, and Christian did. Not far into his journey, he makes a grave mistake in listening to the wrong person. He meets a certain Mr. Worldly Wiseman who claims to know of a better way for Christian to be rid of his burden so that he can return to a life of ease. Ignoring the counsel that Evangelist had given him, he heeds Mr. Worldly Wiseman and changes his course to the village of Morality where he hopes that Mr. Legality can help him with his burden. Morality stands atop a hill that Christian must climb. Standing at the foot of it, he is afraid to go any farther because it looks as if the hill would fall over on top of him. To make matters worse, the hill begins spewing out fire. It is at this moment that Evangelist appears again, and Christian is immensely ashamed of himself for not heeding his instructions. Evangelist explains that Christian almost lost his life in going to Legality. He tells him, “Thy sin is very great, for by it thou hast committed two evils; thou hast forsaken the way that is good, to tread in forbidden paths,” (22) but he also assures him, “All manner of sin and blasphemies shall be forgiven unto men. Be not faithless, but believing” (19). Christian, repentant of his failure, chooses to persevere, and returns to the right path.

Christian’s journey is riddled with difficulties, as any believer’s spiritual journey is. One of the greatest difficulties he faces is his battle with Apollyon, a hideous dragon-like creature who represents a chief demon. After finally being delivered of his burden at the cross, Christian continues on his way until he comes to The Palace Beautiful, where he is shown many things and given armor. He then comes to a place called the Valley of Humiliation. Here he is met by Apollyon, the prince of Christian’s former country. First he tries to lure him into returning, promising to forgive him for leaving in the first place. Next, he accuses Christian of already being unfaithful to the Prince of the Celestial City whom he claims to serve, naming many of his shortcomings. To this Christian replies, “All this is true…but the Prince whom I serve and honour is merciful and ready to forgive” (66). Finally, infuriated at Christian’s devotion to the Prince, Apollyon declares that he will kill him. They then fight a gruesome battle for over half a day. Christian is wounded, but refuses to give up. He finally deals a mortal blow to the dragon, who quickly gets himself away. Christian gives thanks to God for the victory and continues on his journey on the King’s Highway.

Christian eventually reaches the Celestial City after many more difficulties, failures, and opposition. He is one of the greatest literary examples of godly perseverance to me. I have been a Christian for a long time and have experienced many of the same trials in my spiritual journey as Christian does in his physical journey. From his story I have learned some key lessons to help me persevere: 1. I must remember God’s promises in order to persevere in the face of opposition, 2. I must seek God’s forgiveness in order to persevere in the wake of failure, and 3. I must rely on the armor of God in order to persevere in the midst of difficulties. The Christian journey is the most important thing to persevere in. Its reward is eternal. So if you are a believer, remember that the Prince is fighting for you, even when life throws dragons at you.

Source

Bunyan, John. The Pilgrim’s Progress. Abeka, 2021.