Jonathan Evans - Fighting Your Battles: Every Christians Playbook for Victory

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Scripture version credits appear at the back of the book

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Fighting Your Battles

Copyright 2022 by Jonathan Evans

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97408

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-8404-1 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-8405-8 (eBook)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022931567

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This book is dedicated to my father, Tony Evans.

During my moms illness, I watched you fight like a lion, leading a pride to safetyand since her homegoing, you have continued to show me that our pain on earth is meant to produce perseverance and power for heaven.

As your son, I will never forget your example of faith within the battle.

Fighting Your Battles was a team effort from start to finish. Id like to thank the following teammates who played key roles in helping me get this book across the goal line:

My wife, Kanika, who fights alongside me every day.

Our kidsKelsey, Jonathan II, Kamden, Kylar, and Jadewho constantly remind me of Gods love and purposes for me as one of His children.

The entire Evans family, including Dad and Mom, my sisters Chrystal and Priscilla, and my brother, Anthony. Even now, my inspiration comes from each of you. With your whole lives, youve taught me how to remain steadfast in every battle that God calls us to. Thank you for your commitment to Him and to me.

The entire Harvest House team, who are great partners and devoted co-laborers in Gods kingdom. A special thanks to Bob Hawkins for his leadership, his friendship, and his belief in me as a preacher and author; Steve Miller, who had a real vision for this book and who, despite a very busy schedule of his own, was always available to offer wise editorial insight; and Kim Moore, who guided the manuscript through the design and production process.

Kris Bearss, who poured her heart and gifts into helping me develop and shape my spoken messages for a wider audience.

And last but definitely not least, my niece Kariss and her husband, Joshua Farris, for creating visual content for this book that will help inspire Gods people to victory.

CONTENTS

E verybody has some kind of battle. Everybody. My dad, pastor Tony Evans, has often told me, Youre either in a battle, on your way to a battle, or you just came out of one.

Thats how life is. Trials and tribulations are headed your direction if they havent shown up already. And like the mail you get in your box marked Occupant, trouble doesnt care who lives where you live. But it has your address.

Ive been going through some things recently for my own transformation. One of the hardest has been losing seven close family members to sudden death or long-term disease in less than two years, including my mom. I watched how bravely she fought cancer, how her faith sustained her and God strengthened her even as her body grew weaker. Ive also seen what God has done to uphold me and my family in all of it.

Battles like these have really challenged me to think about what it means to fight Gods wayrelying on His power rather than my own. With this book, I want to process with you what Ive been learning about the battles we all face. There are lessons that become clear only through trials and troubles. Those lessons gear us up to handle the hard times better, fight the good fight, and persevere toward the purpose God calls us to.

Already I can see that certain things are foundational.

Your victory starts with the battle. You might be saying, Im in this mess right now, but dont forget: the mess is the precursor to your miracle. Everybody who loves and serves God is going to go from test to testimony. Thats the way of faith. First comes the battle, then the victory. The test strengthens your faith in Him; the victory solidifies your story with Him.

Battles are necessary in order to gain ground. In Bible times, tribes and nations often fought over acreage: they were either trying to add new land or defend their land from being taken away. We rarely go to war over physical property lines anymore, but spiritually we do. Emotionally we do. Relationally we do. In our lives and jobs and families and ministries, we are battling to protect and to progress what God has reserved for us.

God has new ground for you to gain, but it never comes easy. Battles must be fought. The land, the promises, and the experiences that are meant to be a part of your purpose only come as you stand and fight.

God is not wasteful. A common question in the heat of the struggle is why. Why am I going through this? Or Why is this person I love having to go through this?

This could be any hardship: illness, foreclosure, divorce, abuse, rejection, loneliness, depression, loss. God wont leave you empty, and He wont leave you behind. Those experiences are what He is using to build a future that will fulfill you and move His kingdom forward.

Knowing that He doesnt waste anything can help bring you through the valleys, as its doing for me and my family.

God doesnt waste the things that overwhelm you.

He doesnt waste the things that beat you up.

He doesnt waste the trials that test you.

Is your pit extra deep right now? Has God allowed great misery to come to you? Then have hope: He intends great ministry through you. The depth of that hole often represents the height that God plans to take you.

We will get a deeper look at these truths and many others in this book. But every story Ill share here, and every Scripture we will study, has one main message: Depend on God. All your battles belong to Him. He says so in 2 Chronicles 20:15: Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but Gods.

You and I are going to face enemies beyond what we can endure. Battles beyond what we can bear. Questions beyond what we can answer. All that opposition helps us recognize our need for the only One who can overcome on our behalf.

Whatever war youre in, brotherwhatever struggle youre facing, sisterdepend on God, who fights for you. He is able to do greater things in you and through you than you think are possible, because every battle of yours is actually His.