Winning In Spite Of: Nine Biblical Principles for Turning Hard Times into Personal Growth, Increased Impact, and Abundant Life

YOU CAN BE A WINNER IN SPITE OF YOUR HARDSHIPS AND FAILURES Everyone goes through hard times. Everyone. Even those who the world views as accomplished and successful have their share of pain. David Akers knows this all too well. He's played in some of the NFL's biggest games, received many personal honors, and made millions of dollars as an NFL kicker. But he's experienced personal hardship as well - including family health issues, professional setbacks, financial loss, and grappling with personal and professional failure. Through it all, David has emerged as a more effective and influential husband, father, professional, businessman, and ministry leader. And, above all, he's become a more passionate and devoted Christ-follower. Winning in Spite Of will help you navigate hard times by presenting biblical truths and bringing them to life with real-life examples from David's life. It will show you how to grow and increase your impact in the lives of others by recalibrating your experience through a biblical-understanding of suffering. It deals honestly with pain and suffering and shows how even the hardest times and greatest failures can be redeemed for good. If you're an NFL fan, you'll love the behind-the-scenes view that David shares throughout the book. But if you're not a big NFL fan, don't worry! David shares about the struggles we all face in our families, our friendships, and our careers.

"I've known David for years now, and his passion for the Lord is a huge encouragement to me. He doesn't do things half-hearted, and I love the way he keeps going deeper in his faith and allows God to keep shining through him." Jeremy Camp, solo artist and songwriter Five-Time Dove Award Winner & Grammy Nominee "I have appreciated my friendship with David Akers, and I am so grateful that he is unashamed of his love for Jesus. He has been an outspoken and consistent testimony of the gospel through times of glory and trials. I love that about him." Francis Chan, pastor & speaker author, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God and Erasing Hell "David Akers and I were teammates for most of my thirteen years as a safety with the Philadelphia Eagles. And when it comes to his faith in God, David is the real deal. His faith increased over the years as he came to understand that God's love is bigger than our feelings. That His love, coupled with our faith, is limitless! No matter what is put in our paths! David lived out his faith on the field, in the locker room, and in every other part of his life. When David says something, it speaks volumes because his life backs it up." Brian Dawkins, nine-time pro-bowl safety Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos "David Akers is an unusual human being. I heard about his Christian testimony before I became Chaplain of the Philadelphia Eagles several years ago. All that I heard about him-as impressive as it was-did not begin to explain his commitment to Kingdom work. David exceeded all of my expectations. He never missed a chapel service. He never missed an opportunity to share his faith in the presence of hundreds or in the presence of one individual. I was able to witness the power of his testimony, firsthand. It made a difference, not only in the lives of players on the Philadelphia Eagles football team, but also the Eagles' administration. I was honored not only to serve him as Chaplain of the Philadelphia Eagles, but more important to me, to be called his friend. His book will not only be a blessing to football fans, it will be a blessing to all." Rev. Dr. H.H. Lusk II, pastor, Greater Exodus Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA founder and CEO, People for People, Inc. and Stand for Africa team chaplain, Philadelphia Eagles