“You’ve not only been saved FROM the fight, but FOR the fight.” This is acutely relevant for fathers. Pastor Ben Stuart shared this during his recent guest sermon at our church. In one sense, we’ve been saved from the fight (we no longer have to be at war with sin and eternal death – Jesus saved us from that). In another sense, we’ve been saved for the fight. Paul said he’d fought the good fight and kept the faith (2 Tim 4:7-8). He goes on in that stretch to talk of the crown laid up for him. The fight he had been in had a reward, one he longed for. I was trading emails with a dad this week who was desperate, frustrated and questioning whether he should keep going. In some ways, he may have thought that Jesus only saved him from the fight. The fact is, we get to fight – we get the privilege of fighting for our kids, our marriage, our purity, our relationships. It’s not a burden or a surprise. It’s an honor. Dad, stay in the fight. You have the weapons and skill you need. And, God is in your corner to the very end.

7 encouraging Bible verses for fathers: God’s Word is incredibly useful for teaching, training, and equipping (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Besides the practicalities, His Word is also amazingly encouraging. When you need some confidence, Scripture is the place to go.

The godly dad anticipates that trouble will arise: Jesus said, “in this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). So, let’s make a list of potential trouble our kids may get into – it’s not an infinite list – dating, porn, money, drugs, school fights, bad grades, disrespectful behavior, they may become Kentucky basketball fans, etc. Having our awareness level on high alert makes it much easier to anticipate trouble when it appears over the horizon. Now, when this trouble does arrive, don’t be shocked beyond belief when “your little angel” gets in a fight or has a pack of smokes in their backpack. That’s our job – to help our kids know what kind of trouble they’re headed for and steer them in the right direction.

“There are 365 days in the average year. Divide any project by 365 and you’ll find that no job is all that intimidating.” – Charles Swindoll

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis

“Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.” – Dale Carnegie

What’s your fight? Right now, where do you find a battle raging? Finances? A relationship? Your health? At work? What battles are in front of you as a dad? Rebellious teens? Difficult marriage? Estranged adult children? I do not know your battle. But, I do know that God wants you to keep going in the face of it. He encourages us – no, commands us! – to not give up! This week, go looking for a fight. No, not like that. But, in the way that you spot it, name it, face it and engage it in a way that honors God. Resist that temptation. Restore that relationship. Rebalance that checkbook. Resurrect that dream. Find your fight and let the Holy Spirit help you keep battling.

Kent Evans
Author of The Manhood Journey, co-founder of Manhood Journey and Father On Purpose.

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

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