Divine Disruption: Holding on to Faith When Life Breaks Your Heart

by Tony Evans, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer

An insightful biblical and conversational response from Dr. Tony Evans and his four children--Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer, Anthony Evans, and Jonathan Evans--on how God uses the hard things of this life to draw us into a deeper faith in Him.

Divine Disruption explores the many hardships we experience in life and how God breaks through with the power of hope. In the book, Dr. Tony Evans and his four children--Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer, Anthony Evans, and Jonathan Evans--discuss their faith-shaking from the deep grief of losing six loved ones in less than two years' time, with the most devastating blow being the death of Lois Evans, the matriarch of the family, to a deep dive into dealing with the various hard, unexpected things we all face. Life throws many curves--whether the loss of a job or health due to the ongoing worldwide pandemic, or marriage and relationship issues, problems with children, even the recent racial and political unrest.

The authors step together into a unique Kingdom Legacy partnership, opening themselves to the honest questions, raw emotions, and solutions they learned to cling to amid their various struggles as they honor their mother's wish to work together. Through their bond and individual strengths, they demonstrate how even the most devastating tragedies can bring glory to God as He continues to meet their needs and build their faith.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Spirituality, Christian Living, Inspirational, Family

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Anthony Tyrone "Tony" Evans Sr. is an American evangelical pastor, speaker, author, and widely syndicated radio and television broadcaster in the United States. Between 1976 and 2024, Evans served as senior pastor at the over-9,500-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas.

Reviews

[Chelsie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divine Disruption • this book is sacred. The Evans family is one that I have much respect for. This book felt like a conversation, rather than a novel. A glimpse into the Evans family and their journey through grief and healing as they endure some of the most difficult months their family had ever faced. It’s easy to look at a family like the Evans, and assume they have it all together, even through the difficulties. But their honest, vulnerable and raw emotions come out in this book. Trails bring blessings too. God is always behind the scenes, working and sowing the pieces of our stories together. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, we can fully trust Him.

Grateful for the opportunity provided by the Evans family & NetGalley to be part of the launch team for this book.

[Johnny-Elsie Peralta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing read. It was wonderful to be able to see how each of the members of the Evans family responded to their losses. I was able to see myself in each of their experiences throughout different times in my life when God didn’t respond exactly as I would have wanted Him to. It reinforced so much for me that despite my prayers not being answered in the way I would have liked or even Preferred, God was, is, and continues to be a good God. I highly recommend this book. It will restore your faith, lift you up, and encourage you all along the way.

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divine Disruption: Holding on to Faith When Life Breaks Your Heart provides a rare and intimate glimpse inside Tony Evans and his family after enduring an extended season of great trial and loss. In a two year period Tony and his family endured the loss of eight family members including his brother, sister, brother-in-law, niece, father and precious wife, Lois, of fifty years. It was also during this time his daughter, Priscilla Shirer, underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in her lung. Then, his other daughter, Crystal, was worked up for a suspicious growth on her leg. All of this was followed by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown giving Tony and his family much time to pray, reflect upon and grieve their tremendous losses.

In this book you will hear from Tony and each of his three adult children, who are all involved in ministry, as they all openly discuss their struggles, disappointments and the role their faith played as they continue to work through and process their grief by leaning into God and onto one another. I so appreciated their honesty and transparency as each shared their thoughts and feelings as to the hope they were able to hold onto even in the darkest and most difficult times. This book is a must read for those grieving the loss of a loved one.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this audiobook. I do feel this one should be done audio vs. reading. Each person speaks for their parts, and it really adds to the storytelling hearing their different voices and perspectives. 2/3 is their story and how they walked in faith, and the last bit is more sermon like. There is a longer than needed chunk on covid bc it was going on while they were writing it, which I could've done without. Other than that, I really enjoyed the audio, and it's a short listen.

[Stephanie Seefeldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Processing grief when you're in the public eye must be excruciating. The Evans family walks this road with courage and hope, resilience and a clear dependence on Jesus. The conversational style of the book makes you feel as if you're sitting over coffee and sharing the story together. I recommend this book for anyone walking through unexpected change, or loss - or anyone who wants to deepen their walk with Jesus. Just so good.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing tribute to the beautiful and blessed spirit of Lois Evans. What a great way to honor her legacy and help those suffering with the changes of the world today. Dr. Tony Evans and each of his four children wrote about their grief and hope since losing so much over the past couple of years. I was so excited to read the foundation of the “Kingdom Legacy” they are building and hope to read more about this anointed family’s walk together into the future.

Here are a few gems I collected in this short but powerful read:

• We have a sovereign God, so we’re not at the mercy of others. Evil must past through the fingers of God to even touch us at all.

• For believers, the present is not life. This is only an introduction to life.

• Emotion should follow faith, you can’t let your emotions lead you.

• Every believer must face a time in which they must say “yes” to God when He’s said “no” to them.

• God didn’t ask for us to be okay with being broken, but that we submit to our brokenness and trust Him with it. The time must come to say “let the cup pass from me, nevertheless, not my will but Your will be done.”

• Sometimes the Lord lets us hit rock bottom so that we can see He *is* the rock at the bottom.

Needless to say, the book was timely and encouraging to me as a believer who’s also experienced pain over the course of this pandemic. I needed this and recommend it for anyone struggling with reconciling God’s will with their own. Also, If you get the audiobook. You hear Tony, Chrystal, Pricilla, Anthony and Johnathan narrate the parts they wrote. It’s truly a beautiful book. 5 stars!

[LAMONT D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had looked back on the list of books read this past decade and I was surprised to not find Dr. Tony Evans on my list. One of the most respected evangelical ministers in my lifetime. It was long overdue to seek him out so when I looked online, I found this book published in 2021 just coming out of the pandemic. What a treasure to read and enjoy as I also got to hear from each one of his four adult children as well. The book is very intimate as each one shares what it meant to go through losing family members and their beloved mother and Tony's wife of 49 years. The second part of the book then devotes to the major issue of can you trust God when things don't work out like you think they should or when your prayers go unanswered. Chapter 7 recounts the celebration service of Lois Evans and what each of the kids shared which was tremendously powerful as the theme presented was "Victory Belongs to Jesus". In the book there is plenty of scripture to go along with introspection, reflection and encouragement including Dr. Evans when he stated: "I would rather face crisis with God than have to face it alone." The book flows beautifully between the five different voices with a smattering of pictures throughout. I would highly recommend this book to any that want to be inspired as they face any kind of difficulty, especially losing a loved one.

[Calvonia Radford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grief is a journey not easily articulated. Pastor Tony Evans and his four adult children share their walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Through honest, transparent dialogue they share their thoughts and feelings during a season of lose after lose after lose followed by a pandemic. They share their pain coupled with a persistent passion to trust God through it all.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book on recommendation from a friend. I’m not usually an audio enjoyer but as this book was narrated by the family it was simply amazing. The encouragement they shared through life’s most difficult of times was perfect. Full of scripture and Truth, this book felt like a powerful sermon which I was sad to see come to an end.

[Emma Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have some tissues nearby - I was teary-eyed almost the whole time I read this!

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible book and inspiring stories shared by all 5 family members

[Sherly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated the rawness of this book and how they addressed some of the hardest questions people like myself ask e.g., how do you not lose faith when God doesn’t answer your prayers? I like how each person was so authentic; instead of just repeating God’s promises, they shared how got to believe in these promises and how they’ve struggled to get there sometimes. Each person had different input based upon their unique personalities and I was able to relate most to Anthony, who is the more emotionally driven one. Also, I am in awe of Tony Evans, having lost 6 family members within 2 years including his wife of 49 years. He preached the day after she died - the strength he has through Christ is inspiring. I have so many more questions from reading this book, but I feel like the blueprint is there for me to explore these questions should I choose to.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest, emotional, encouraging. This family has been through so much but are trusting the Lord as he makes something beautiful from it. Highly recommend the audio, as they all read in their own voices.

[Scott Kedersha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed with scripture, honest reflections on loss and trial. Loved the way they wrote it from 5 different perspectives, yet all Christ-exalting and founded in Truth.

[John Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony Evans and his family have gone through indescribable pain and heartache the past several years. Usually you won’t get to see public figures grieve publicly, but they have decided to do so in this book.

Using a team writing style that plays off one another, each sibling and Evans recall theists of his beloved wife and its impact on them. While it is an encouraging read, some sections of it seemed less organized than others. Probably a natural result of multiple writers collaborating. The book would serve as an encouragement to anyone dealing with loss or disappointments.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is real, raw and full of faith and hope. The Evans Family shares their season of great loss from their five different perspectives as they walked through grief. I found comfort and relief in the wisdom they shared. I HIGHLY recommend the audio version. The book is read by the authors so you listen to their stories in their own voices. The timing of its release was perfect to help me through my grief.

[Jennifer Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing, honest, thought provoking book that points the reader to God’s truth (scripture) on every page. This collection of experiences told by each member of the Evans family was exactly what I needed.

“He who dwells in the secret
Place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will
Say of Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

[Rindi Trainer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed the Evans family for years, with Dr. Tony Evans preaching for so many years on what was KCBI radio in Dallas to his daughter, Priscilla, teaching the Bible at so many women’s conferences. I knew they had experienced a lot of loss in a short time, but didn’t realize how many or how close the relatives were. The family did a beautiful job in this book of helping others who are juggling the bitter and the sweet of life. Because of Jesus, we always have hope.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. As I work through my own circumstances, this book serves as the words I've been seeking as I work to heal and connect with God on a deeper level. I cried. I prayed. I felt seen through this book. It is amazing how this family decided to share so openly as a source of healing and ministry. I'm thankful they did. I needed all of this.

[Zakiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book that provides you a sneak peek into one of the most tragic times of the Evans family. It’s beautiful to see how they all come together to discuss their struggles, hopes, prayers, frustrations. I recommend this book to most who understand what it’s like going through a Job moment.

[Paula Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read. It truly blessed me. So proud of my former first family. What a wonderful family ❤️👏🏽🙌🏽

[Laura Swafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect as audio! Don’t think I would enjoy nearly as much as a hard copy.

[Lynn Trollope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this 10 stars if I could. I drank this up like I hadn't had a drink in years. Their story spoke to my soul, refocused my purpose and removed me of the legacy I am creating for my daughter. Bitterness has no place is leaving a legacy. Thank you for bringing such a word.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal and powerful message from the Evans family

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I didn’t want this book to end. I am currently going through a very difficult season in my life and I was so encouraged by the faith and the love of this family.

[Viola Beyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing book. I’d you have it have gone through touch times you will know that you are not alone and it shows you how they stood even through the toughest times when things did not go as planned. Highly recommend you read this book!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

encouraging word

I love this family so much. I'm so glad they opened up to us in this book about their struggles with losing love ones. This book is raw, real and encouraging. Dr. Tony Evans is such a strong man of God. Him & his beautiful wife Lois raised kingdom building kids. I always wonder how? This book tells you how. They leaned on God throughout their entire lives and served God. This book is inspirational and gives you hope in the Lord.

[Jeanne Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down once I started. Finished reading it in two sittings. The conversations drew me in. So on point. Thoughts expressed from five different, yet overlapping, perspective, with the same message of hope and encouragement strewn throughout. If life has ever knocked you down, or you’ve felt deep pain or loss, pull up a chair, grab your favorite blanket and a cup of your favorite brand of coffee, and dive in. You’ll be glad you did.

As part of a launch team, I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Cicely Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that we get multiple perspectives and personalities in this book. As I read, it felt as though I was sitting at a table with the family and listening to their stories. I appreciate their honesty in talking about their faith and their grief. It was refreshing to see them wrestle for their faith and not just bury their questions and emotions. Their testimonies of what God spoke to them during those times and putting what they know and preach into practice left me feeling encouraged.

*I received an advance copy of this book for the purpose of promotion and review.

[Shena Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the Star Rating System is very subjective. I often read reviews and think I would have given it a different number of stars than the reviewer did based on what they wrote about the book. With that in mind, I decided to share how I define my ratings so you’ll understand my reviews. 😊


⭐️ This Book is terrible. If I were capable of quitting books, I definitely would have quit this book!

⭐️⭐️ This Book was just ok. I got through it, but I don’t feel I got a lot of value from it. I’ll be fine forgetting about it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book was good. I enjoyed it, and never felt the need to put it down. I would recommend it to people I think would be interested in it. (This is the category most books I read fall into.)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This Book was REALLY GOOD! I slacked on other commitments (and sleep) to finish this book! I LOVED this book and will tell everyone I know to read it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This Book is Obsession and Fangirl Worthy!! I will read it multiple times, create art about it, and make a T-shirt based on it. I will do my best to make everyone I ever talk to read it.