Attrition of the Soul
He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,making my steps secure.
(Psalm 40:2 NRSV)
I read an excerpt from The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, where Screwtape was giving his revolting nephew, Wormwood, advice on how to overcome the Christian by ”using time to wear down the soul.” 1 He tells Wormwood that long, dull, monotonous years are “excellent campaigning weather.”
And, unfortunately, he’s right. We are at our most vulnerable during those seasons when we feel like we have been walking and walking and nothing seems to be breaking.
Boy, do I know that feeling. I had been walking through what felt like a never-ending season of struggle and waiting. I knew He had something up the road for me, and I knew I needed to keep standing and walking, but the drab, monotonous days filled with dull pain seemed to be never ending and the light at the end of the tunnel was very dim.
It was like walking in a quagmire, where each step felt like I was sinking into a morass of mud. It was a major effort to free myself from the sucking sludge. I could almost hear the squelching, plopping sound as it reluctantly released my foot, only to suck me back down again on the next step. And when I looked up, there appeared to be nothing but miles of mud ahead of me.
It is during these times, when we are tired from fighting the ooze, when we have been walking and walking and walking, that the Enemy arrives on the scene. He knows a weakened, weary, worn-out adversary is easy to bring down.
This is exactly the time we need to dig deep, grab onto Jesus’ hand with everything we’ve got, and keep going. He will reach down and pull us up from the pit. I love the Voice version of Psalm 40:2. It shows God’s heart towards us and His loving care during these times.
He reached down and drew me from the deep, dark hole where I was stranded, mired in the muck and clay. With a gentle hand, He pulled me out to set me down safely on a warm rock; He held me until I was steady enough to continue the journey again.
He holds us in the palm of His hand, “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying ‘Fear not, I will help you’” (Isaiah 41:13 NKJV). He engraves our name on his palms, “Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of you) on the palm of each of My hands” (Isaiah 49:16 AMPC).
God is our ever-faithful Shepherd leading us safely through the valley of death and shadows to the sunlight and green pastures on the other side.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me. Your rod and your staff—they protect me (Psalm 23:4 CEB).
Don’t believe the lies of the Enemy who whispers God has forgotten you as you walk through the long monotonous days. Our Lord is right there beside you and, more importantly, He is constantly working on your behalf. You may not see anything happening, but trust me, it is. He is bringing His plan for your life to fruition in a way that will amaze and astound you.
Don’t let a miserable creature like Wormwood win!
