A Steadfast Heart: Experiencing God's Comfort in Life's Storms (2 page)

This is a book about what I’ve learned, and am continuing to learn, about the Lord and myself through this particular trial.

God has been gracious to Phil and me during these years. He’s used our suffering as the means to reveal to us new understanding about Himself, His great goodness, and our considerable need for a Savior. These lessons have been precious to us. We thank Him for them. He’s used our suffering in the lives of others, as well, as they’ve prayed and suffered with us. We’ve grown to love our church and our friends more deeply than ever before.

In writing about our suffering, I want to make clear one

reality: I know that what we’ve gone through is nothing in com-parison with what others endure on a daily basis. Our trial was fashioned for us by a wise God who knew exactly what kind of suffering we needed. The trials we endure are meant to get at the idolatry, self-love, and independent unbelief that God desires to purge from our life. They’re also meant to cause us to love Jesus Christ more and more, and sometimes they’re not discipline at all, but rather part of God’s mysterious plan to glorify himself.

So, please, as you read through this book, don’t compare my suffering with yours or wonder how you could endure what I’ve gone through or vice versa. Just recognize that God brings to each of us what will best glorify Himself.

Recently a friend shared the following poem about the gift of suffering:

20

Fitzpatrick.Steadfast.book.indd 20

8/15/06 4:05:01 PM

Introduction

The Thorn

I stood a mendicant [beggar] of God

before His royal throne

And begged Him for a priceless gift,

which I could call my own.

I took the gift from out His hand,

but as I would depart,

I cried “But Lord, this is a thorn

and it has pierced my heart.

“This is a strange, a hurtful gift

that Thou hast given me.”

He said, “My child, I give good gifts

and give My best to thee.”

I took it home and though at first,

the cruel thorn hurt sore;

As long years passed I learned at last

to love it more and more.

I learned He never gives a thorn

without this added grace.

He takes the thorn to pin aside . . .

the veil which hides His face.

Martha Snell Nicholson

I have to admit that until this season of difficulty, I never thought of a thorn as a good gift. Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I could have told you about the theological purposes in suffering, but my knowledge of the blessings of suffering were mostly theoretical.
Of course God uses suffering!

Of course suffering is good for us! Of course God is sovereign! Of
course I need purification!
And as I have undergone the daily stab of that thorn, I am oh so thankful that God had laid this theo-21

Fitzpatrick.Steadfast.book.indd 21

8/15/06 4:05:01 PM

Introduction

logical foundation in my heart before He placed the thorn in my hand. Or, to change metaphors, I am thankful that my heart had been protected in the lighthouse of His love even before the sky began to cloud up. But as thankful as I am that I had that solid anchorage, that sweet haven didn’t completely alleviate the pain, nor could it prevent the storm from assailing us. Though the wind is still raging in some ways, I’m beginning to finally see, though dimly, His true plans for my life and how much He loves my soul. I’m learning about suffering—the suffering brought on by the fall, the suffering of a sinless Savior.

I’ve grown to see how self-deceived and foolish I had been before this affliction (thinking all the time that I was growing in truth and wisdom). In light of this new understanding, I’ve also come to understand that I’m still exceedingly deceived, foolish, proud, rebellious, and unbelieving. I don’t mean to say that God hasn’t accomplished His work through this, but I do mean that I’ve learned something of the depth of my own sinfulness that I didn’t see before. I’ve also learned about the depth of His grace and love, and I know now, more than ever, that these are good lessons for me.

One more thought to set this book up for you: this isn’t a book that’s shrouded in mournful weeds of gray or black. This is a book that’s glowing with luminescent embers of rekindled zeal and ardor. I’m not going to say that suffering is fun. Scripture makes it clear that suffering is “painful rather than pleasant.”1

What I do want to say, though, is that the “peaceful fruit of righteousness” that is the result of God’s perfect plan for us is luscious, and there’s only one way to genuinely savor this fruit: through suffering.

Since you’ve picked up this book, I assume that you’re in the midst of a storm of some sort yourself. As we launch our 22

Fitzpatrick.Steadfast.book.indd 22

8/15/06 4:05:01 PM

Introduction

little bark out onto the stormy sea together, please don’t focus on the exact nature of my suffering. Although I’ll refer to it, I’ll do so only to illustrate a truth that I think will be helpful to you. In addition, please don’t limit God’s lessons for you to those I’ll share here. We each have a road marked out for us by the Lord. Suffering isn’t one-size-fits-all. No, He’s woven the exact robe that He wants you to wear, and it will fit you perfectly, pinching where it should pinch and comforting where you need it most.

In the pages that follow we’ll go topic by topic through Psalm 57. Although we will progress through the psalm in a consecu-tive manner, we’ll also skip around a little and take some time off from the psalm to look at Jesus Christ and His experience in the storm. But we will begin with our cries for God’s mercy and end where David does: “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Let your glory be over all the earth!” (Ps. 57:11 esv).

At the end of every chapter, I’ve included a few questions for further study. Let me encourage you to plumb the depths of these questions and ask the Lord to show you what it is He is teaching you particularly. Let me also encourage you to get a journal or notebook that you’re going to use as you interact with the questions.

For now, let me leave you with one passage for your contemplation:

I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,

and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

Let your steadfast love comfort me

according to your promise to your servant.

Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;

for your law is my delight. (Ps. 119:75–77 esv)

23

Fitzpatrick.Steadfast.book.indd 23

8/15/06 4:05:01 PM