Despair often follows moments in our life where we were self-confident. That is precisely the case with
Christian and Hopeful. Christian’s remorse is evident when he states, “I am sorry I led you astray and
have put you to such imminent danger. Please forgive me. I did it with no evil intent” (Bunyan 113). A
moment of forgiveness and love covering a multitude of sins is displayed when Hopeful says, “I forgive
you, and I believe that in some way this must be for our good” (Bunyan 113). Unfortunately for Christian
and Hopeful, self-confidence led them to Doubting Castle where they are captured at the hand of Giant
Despair. Perhaps any Christian can reflect back to a time of too much self-trust that led to such
despairing circumstances. If some of us would be so humble to admit it, perhaps we are going through
something presently where we are relying on ourselves instead of Christ. If it wasn’t for a hopeful
brother in Christ by Christian’s side and God’s providential guidance, Christian may never have escaped
Giant Despair. How did he escape such a giant? How do we overcome despair in our Christian walk?
After Giant Despair and his giant wife (Don’t hate me - she’s literally a giant) named Gloom, beat the
weary travelers, they resort to hurtful words when Giant Despair says, ‘Since you will never get out of
here alive then would it not be smart to take the quick way out of your suffering? For why should you
choose to live, seeing life holds nothing for you now but extreme bitterness’” (Bunyan 115)? Did John
Bunyan get captured by such despair in his own life? I can’t help but try to empathize with our Puritan
author and wonder if the circumstances such as being isolated in jail for 12 years sometimes seemed too
much for him. How hard it had to be distant from his daughter who had no sight as she grew in age and
stature. And then while he was in jail, she passed away. What a heartbreaking reality for Bunyan. How
difficult to overcome if it weren’t for his faith. As Christian and Hopeful had waves overcome them to
the point of near death, I can’t help but ponder if Bunyan thought the waves of his own life were far too
much to continue on. Giant Despair tempts the hurting pilgrims to do the job he is unable to do as God’s
providence doesn’t allow him to end their life himself. Isn’t it such a comfort when we come upon such
occurrences in the book such as lions who are restrained by chains, giants who are limited in what they
can do physically, and Apollyon who flees from God’s Word and God’s sovereign rule? Even with these
truths in mind, Christian contemplates the alternative in saying, “Surely the grave is to be desired rather
than this dungeon” (Bunyan 113). Would Christian go through with such an un-Christ-like act in the
midst of such despair?
Hopeful, being the hopeful brother he is, resorts to God’s word in saying “Thou shalt do no murder” and
“no murderer hath eternal life,” quoting from scripture. What another great reminder that we as
Christians have such a powerful tool in that of God’s Word. May we always love and cling to His Word at
all times but especially in these gloomy, dark, and hard to get out of places in life. Why is Hopeful so
hopeful? He trusts in God’s sovereignty. This is evident when he says, “Others, I understand, have
escaped out of his hands. Who knows but that God, who made the world, may cause the Giant to die…”
(Bunyan 113). What a statement. What loving adoration to refer to our sovereign God as the one who
made the world. That changes our perspective in trying situations does it not? I think a clear application
is that trusting God’s sovereignty even in the midst of such severe despair will lead to hopeful pilgrims.
Although the pain is great, trials difficult, and the thought of giving up can often creep into our minds,
those who serve our sovereign Lord have hope! Hopeful recalled the past deliverances for themselves
(see page 117), of other weary saints, and knows that the sovereign Celestial King is greater than any
limited giant. Even if that despair is vast. The Lord is greater than any despair we will ever have. We
must trust God’s Word over any emotion or feeling during these times as His Word reminds us,
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9
ESV).
Hopeful reveals how much he has grown in grace and in the knowledge of the truth in this chapter. He
shows how he has progressed in sanctification by the grace of God when he says, “I am determined to
act the part of a man and do my utmost to break loose from him. I was a coward when I did not do it
before. However, my brother, let us be patient, and endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, at
least for a while. The time may come when we will receive a happy release. Anyway, let us not be our
own murderers” (Bunyan 116) Characteristic of the Puritans, they didn’t shy away from the topic of
death or eternity. Hopeful says happy he will be at such a release. For Hopeful, to die is gain but to live is
Christ. But when Hopeful goes out of this world, whenever the Lord would have him, he wants to ensure
it’s God’s way rather than the cowardly way. Such hopeful speech leads the gloomy giant wife to say, “I
am afraid that they live in hopes that someone will come to their rescue; or they may have tools for
picking a lock, thus hoping to get out” (Bunyan 117). This is true. They and we certainly have hope in
such a deliverer, rescuer, and shepherd of our souls. What a friend we have in Jesus!
We’ve already seen that Hopeful trusts in the sovereignty of God. However, that hasn’t led to their
escape. What is it that leads to their escape from such overwhelming despair? Some readers are
disappointed at such an anti-climactic and all of a sudden finding of a key. Many might think that Bunyan
had a bad day in jail and decided to cut the scene too quick only to move on to the next scene of the
delectable mountains. However, Bunyan’s point is loud and clear when his character Christian states, “I
have a key in my bosom called promise which I am sure will open any door in Doubting Castle” (Bunyan
118). Isn’t it unique to name a key? Sure, I have a house key, work key, and keys to filing cabinets. But a
key called promise? This is a very simple but yet important reference for all Christians in the midst of
giant despair. What is the key to overcoming giant despair according to John Bunyan? Standing on the
promises of God. Holding fast to God’s promises is enough to overcome and endure any doubt, despair,
gloom, trial, or tribulation. As the hymn echoes such sentiments,
Standing on the promises of Christ my King
Through eternal ages, let his praises ring
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God
May the hymn writer, Bunyan’s once despairing pilgrims, our own experiences, and anecdotes of other
weary Christian travelers implore us to trust in God’s sovereignty, His providence, and perhaps most of
all, His promises. Let us entrust our souls to a faithful creator and our Celestial King. That’s something
giant despair can never overcome. Fight on, dear Christian. As good soldiers of Jesus Christ, fight on.
Christian and Hopeful. Christian’s remorse is evident when he states, “I am sorry I led you astray and
have put you to such imminent danger. Please forgive me. I did it with no evil intent” (Bunyan 113). A
moment of forgiveness and love covering a multitude of sins is displayed when Hopeful says, “I forgive
you, and I believe that in some way this must be for our good” (Bunyan 113). Unfortunately for Christian
and Hopeful, self-confidence led them to Doubting Castle where they are captured at the hand of Giant
Despair. Perhaps any Christian can reflect back to a time of too much self-trust that led to such
despairing circumstances. If some of us would be so humble to admit it, perhaps we are going through
something presently where we are relying on ourselves instead of Christ. If it wasn’t for a hopeful
brother in Christ by Christian’s side and God’s providential guidance, Christian may never have escaped
Giant Despair. How did he escape such a giant? How do we overcome despair in our Christian walk?
After Giant Despair and his giant wife (Don’t hate me - she’s literally a giant) named Gloom, beat the
weary travelers, they resort to hurtful words when Giant Despair says, ‘Since you will never get out of
here alive then would it not be smart to take the quick way out of your suffering? For why should you
choose to live, seeing life holds nothing for you now but extreme bitterness’” (Bunyan 115)? Did John
Bunyan get captured by such despair in his own life? I can’t help but try to empathize with our Puritan
author and wonder if the circumstances such as being isolated in jail for 12 years sometimes seemed too
much for him. How hard it had to be distant from his daughter who had no sight as she grew in age and
stature. And then while he was in jail, she passed away. What a heartbreaking reality for Bunyan. How
difficult to overcome if it weren’t for his faith. As Christian and Hopeful had waves overcome them to
the point of near death, I can’t help but ponder if Bunyan thought the waves of his own life were far too
much to continue on. Giant Despair tempts the hurting pilgrims to do the job he is unable to do as God’s
providence doesn’t allow him to end their life himself. Isn’t it such a comfort when we come upon such
occurrences in the book such as lions who are restrained by chains, giants who are limited in what they
can do physically, and Apollyon who flees from God’s Word and God’s sovereign rule? Even with these
truths in mind, Christian contemplates the alternative in saying, “Surely the grave is to be desired rather
than this dungeon” (Bunyan 113). Would Christian go through with such an un-Christ-like act in the
midst of such despair?
Hopeful, being the hopeful brother he is, resorts to God’s word in saying “Thou shalt do no murder” and
“no murderer hath eternal life,” quoting from scripture. What another great reminder that we as
Christians have such a powerful tool in that of God’s Word. May we always love and cling to His Word at
all times but especially in these gloomy, dark, and hard to get out of places in life. Why is Hopeful so
hopeful? He trusts in God’s sovereignty. This is evident when he says, “Others, I understand, have
escaped out of his hands. Who knows but that God, who made the world, may cause the Giant to die…”
(Bunyan 113). What a statement. What loving adoration to refer to our sovereign God as the one who
made the world. That changes our perspective in trying situations does it not? I think a clear application
is that trusting God’s sovereignty even in the midst of such severe despair will lead to hopeful pilgrims.
Although the pain is great, trials difficult, and the thought of giving up can often creep into our minds,
those who serve our sovereign Lord have hope! Hopeful recalled the past deliverances for themselves
(see page 117), of other weary saints, and knows that the sovereign Celestial King is greater than any
limited giant. Even if that despair is vast. The Lord is greater than any despair we will ever have. We
must trust God’s Word over any emotion or feeling during these times as His Word reminds us,
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9
ESV).
Hopeful reveals how much he has grown in grace and in the knowledge of the truth in this chapter. He
shows how he has progressed in sanctification by the grace of God when he says, “I am determined to
act the part of a man and do my utmost to break loose from him. I was a coward when I did not do it
before. However, my brother, let us be patient, and endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, at
least for a while. The time may come when we will receive a happy release. Anyway, let us not be our
own murderers” (Bunyan 116) Characteristic of the Puritans, they didn’t shy away from the topic of
death or eternity. Hopeful says happy he will be at such a release. For Hopeful, to die is gain but to live is
Christ. But when Hopeful goes out of this world, whenever the Lord would have him, he wants to ensure
it’s God’s way rather than the cowardly way. Such hopeful speech leads the gloomy giant wife to say, “I
am afraid that they live in hopes that someone will come to their rescue; or they may have tools for
picking a lock, thus hoping to get out” (Bunyan 117). This is true. They and we certainly have hope in
such a deliverer, rescuer, and shepherd of our souls. What a friend we have in Jesus!
We’ve already seen that Hopeful trusts in the sovereignty of God. However, that hasn’t led to their
escape. What is it that leads to their escape from such overwhelming despair? Some readers are
disappointed at such an anti-climactic and all of a sudden finding of a key. Many might think that Bunyan
had a bad day in jail and decided to cut the scene too quick only to move on to the next scene of the
delectable mountains. However, Bunyan’s point is loud and clear when his character Christian states, “I
have a key in my bosom called promise which I am sure will open any door in Doubting Castle” (Bunyan
118). Isn’t it unique to name a key? Sure, I have a house key, work key, and keys to filing cabinets. But a
key called promise? This is a very simple but yet important reference for all Christians in the midst of
giant despair. What is the key to overcoming giant despair according to John Bunyan? Standing on the
promises of God. Holding fast to God’s promises is enough to overcome and endure any doubt, despair,
gloom, trial, or tribulation. As the hymn echoes such sentiments,
Standing on the promises of Christ my King
Through eternal ages, let his praises ring
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God
May the hymn writer, Bunyan’s once despairing pilgrims, our own experiences, and anecdotes of other
weary Christian travelers implore us to trust in God’s sovereignty, His providence, and perhaps most of
all, His promises. Let us entrust our souls to a faithful creator and our Celestial King. That’s something
giant despair can never overcome. Fight on, dear Christian. As good soldiers of Jesus Christ, fight on.