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Everybody walks with a limp. From cradle to casket, life is filled with physical, mental, and emotional pain. Some may hide their limp better than others. Nevertheless, the limp is there. Suffering is no respecter of persons.
While suffering afflicts our bodies and emotions, the problem of suffering afflicts the mind. When confronted by tragedy, one may ask: How can I survive this pain? But eventually, the more philosophical questions occupy the mind: Why did God let this happen? or How can I trust a God who would let my child die?
In Life with a Limp, David Stevens provides a robust, biblical reflection on these and other questions such as:
- How do I handle my grief?
- What is the role of suffering in the Christian life?
- How do I reconcile my suffering with belief in an all-good God?
- Do all things really work together for good for those who love God?
This book is for "limpers" by one who limps. Throughout, the author shares his story of limping through doubt, loss, and grief following the death of his firstborn son. But more importantly, he explores how our limp in life can help us grow more in love with our suffering Savior.
Dr. David E. Stevens is a pastor, theologian, and missionary who has ministered extensively in the United States, Europe, and Africa. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., 1982) and the Faculté Libre de Théologie Evangélique (Th.D. 1999) near Paris, France, he has pastored churches in Texas, Oregon, and Belgium. He is presently engaged in pastoral training in West Africa. He is also the author of God's New Humanity: A Biblical Theology of Multiethnicity for the Church (Wipf & Stock, 2011). Visit his website at www.davidearlestevens.com.
Birthed in ongoing grief, this personal immersion in Scripture, theology and experience will provide pastoral comfort to any in pain and anguish. Valuable exegeses of relevant Scriptures filled with powerful illustrations from history, geography and literature will strengthen any soul. Read it slowly, humbly, and eagerly.
– Ramesh Richard PhD, ThD
President, RREACH and Professor, Dallas Theological Seminary
This is an honest, heartfelt, and heaven-calling look into the unbearable suffering caused by the death of a child. Can any suffering be deeper or more unthinkable? I’ve known the author and his family for many years. I had the privilege of speaking at his son’s memorial service. I know firsthand the authenticity of his words and of his life. This is a much-needed resource and offers real help to anyone who is suffering or who’s seeking to help those who are.
– Rev. James Burgess, Senior Pastor
Fellowship Church
Dubai, UAE
David Stevens has chosen an age-old topic, perhaps the most thorny issue in the history of human relationship with the Judeo Christian God: How can a loving God tolerate rampant injustice in so many areas of our beautiful but savage world and still expect us to love and trust him? With solid biblical theology, the author carefully navigates the common and a few uncommon theological and psychological perspectives. This book can serve as devotional reading, or in pastoral or therapeutic counseling, especially for grieving parents.
– Dr. Lois Svoboda, M.D.
Physician and Marriage & Family Therapist
Travel with my friend, David Stevens, on a journey that is both emotional and philosophical, touching both raw human emotions and deep theological issues. This is not a typical grief story. It is ideologically deep and at the same time biblical and warmly encouraging.
– Jeff Townsend
Former Pastor and currently National Director of Field Development, International Students, Inc.
David Stevens uses his gift of making Scripture come to life to lay the foundation of hope for anyone walking through the pain of loss. He shows how God’s redemptive love gently leads us to the point of facing our real selves, guiding us towards deep happiness that glorifies God and satisfies our soul.
– Ray Sanford
Vice President, One Challenge
In 2022, a 14-year-old girl fell from the top of a building. I was very close to her grandfather. However, I found myself unable to express my sympathy at such a time. I wanted to help him and his son who had lost his little girl, but I didn't have the words. In the end, I offered her a copy of this book, which, better than anyone else, speaks in depth and puts down the right words. Thank you David for this book, which delves into this delicate subject and also lets us see a little of your soul and that of Marie-Alice. I'm still touched to have been able to walk beside you for some time.
David’s multi-faceted study on suffering, illustrated and intensified by his and Mary Alice’s personal tragic experience is a helpful, well thought-through and presented Biblical perspective. I particularly appreciated the careful exegesis of much-quoted Romans 8:28 and the “interlude” consideration of Biblical Jacob’s fraught life-journey, culminating in a transforming encounter with the living God, where Jacob’s will and ambition were surrendered to His. The final chapters lead the reader, despite the suffering commonly and variously experienced in this fallen world, to fresh hope and anticipation as God works towards a wonderful painless new creation—for those who truly love Him!
En 2022, une jeune fille de 14 ans est tombée (?) du haut d'un immeuble. J'étais très proche de son grand-père. Toutefois, je me trouvais démuni pour lui exprimer ma sympathie dans un pareil moment. J'aurais voulu l'aider ainsi que son fils, mais je n'avais pas les mots. Finalement je lui ai offert un exemplaire de ce livre, qui, mieux que quiconque parle en profondeur et pose les mots justes. Merci David pour ce livre qui creuse ce sujet délicat et qui aussi nous laisse voir un peu de ton âme et de celle de Marie-Alice. Je reste touché d'avoir pu marcher quelques temps à vos côtés.
I received this book as a gift over a year ago and finally picked it up and read it. I shouldn't have waited so long. There are many take-aways from it now matter what the sorrow or pain is in your life. It was a great and comforting read that also taught me a lot.
I don't read "fluff" or hollow "how to" books, so I'm very thankful for this one, which connects the reader to reality that is soundly based in Scripture. This is a deep, but not difficult to understand read. It's a loving reminder of where our help really comes from. Stevens gives us a collection of profound reminders of who Christ is, who we are because of who He is, and how His divine purpose is worked out in the lives of those who love Him and fully commit themselves to His keeping. I know David Stevens personally. What he speaks, writes and lives is based in truth that is deeply rooted in God's Word, and deeply rooted in Stevens' life because of his response to what God has allowed him to experience. If you are ever hurting so deeply that you don't even know how to pray, read this book slowly, carefully, prayerfully...and be changed.