Count It All Joy

by Helen Roseveare

In Count it All Joy, Helen Roseveare consider's God's command in James 1:2 to 'count it all joy' when we face trials. At the end of her life, the reasons for many of her own trials have become clear and joy comes easily. But Roseveare prods herself and her reader to learn to be obedient in the midst of a trial by rejoicing in faith, even if we never understand why God has allowed us to suffer.

I am glad that Roseveare left this brief final testament to God's goodness when providence appears to frown. To borrow from the writer of Hebrews: by her faith, she still speaks, even though she is dead.
Betsy Childs Howard, Editor at the Gospel Coalition (from book notes)

Genres: Christian, Faith, Nonfiction

112 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2017

About the author

Dr. Helen Roseveare was born in Hailebury, Herts, England in 1925. She became a Christian as a medical student in Cambridge University in 1945. She continued to have strong links with the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union and was designated as the "CICCU missionary" during the 1950s and 1960s. She built a combination hospital/ training center in Ibambi in the early 1950s, then relocated to Nebobongo, living in an old leprosy camp, where she built another hospital. After conflict with other staff at the hospital, she returned to England in 1958.

She returned to the Congo in 1960. In 1964 she was taken prisoner of rebel forces and she remained a prisoner for five months, enduring beatings and rapings. She left the Congo and headed back to England after her release but returned to the Congo in 1966 to assist in the rebuilding of the nation. She helped establish a new medical school and hospital (the other hospitals that she built were destroyed) and served there until she left in 1973. She helped many people from different countries, and helped them when needing food, and drink.

Since her return from Africa, she has had a worldwide ministry in speaking and writing. She was a plenary speaker at the Urbana Missions Convention three times. She is now retired and lives in Northern Ireland. Her life of service was portrayed in the 1989 film Mama Luka Comes Home. Her touching story about how the prayer of Ruth, 10-year-old African girl, for a hot water bottle to save a premature newborn baby after its mother had died has been widely forwarded by email. She survived rape and trial during the Congolese civil war in 1964 because of the intervention of the villagers she had helped previously.

(Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Catherine MacKenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a challenging read, partly because of the intended challenge to reflect on counting it all joy in the midst of suffering, but also partly because I wasn’t sure I agreed with the angle Roseveare had. Often through the book I questioned whether the thought process she encouraged was submission or if it was suppression.
This quote in particular set me a bit on edge: ‘God taught me over the years that when I felt hurt, I was to beware! That hurt is ‘I’ raising its head and demanding its rights; it is not Jesus dwelling in me, in charge, in control.’ I’m not sure that this is the response the Psalmists often have.
I did however really like the latter chapters of the book, and appreciated hearing about the trials of an older saint.
I’m not sure I’d recommend it, but I may give it another read in 10 years time and see if my view on it has changed.

[Eilidh Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book and have gifted it to several people because I think it's so helpful. As someone who has had severe depression for many years, I found it so helpful for changing my mindset of suffering and how we can connect with God in that. Helen Rosevere is so authentic and vulnerable in her writing but never wavers from God being her foundation. Highly recommend for everyone to read.

[Jonathan Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a witness to the power of God's grace in the life of an ordinary believer. Roseveare uses her life experiences, both from the field and from being a travelling spokeswoman later, to challenge us to Count it ALL joy as we go through life. One of two foundational truths I'll be seeking to apply after this year's Convention. Wow.

[Abby Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

a woman who repeatedly proclaims Christ is worth everything and to suffer for Christ is a joy. she recounts many stories throughout her life that were hard to count as joy in the moment, not understanding why they were happening, but she reminds us of why we can rejoice always. thankful for this book. quick read and short chapters… love that.

[Stephanie Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some really good questions peppered in that she felt the Lord asking her as she was going through trials that I really loved, like, “Do you love me more than these (fill in the blank— circumstances, what you lost in this hardship, etc)? Fast read.

[Rebeca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know who Helen Roseveare were before I read this booklet, but now she is one of my great inspirations. This book is about experiences that Helen passed through and I can tell that it was pretty hard to write it, some of the things the shares will take you to tears. However, in every single one we see God's great providence and mercy. This book is truly inspiring!

[Bambi Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was Helen Roseveare’s last book before passing away. Her writing reminds me of Elisabeth Elliot’s in some ways. Very challenging words in this brief book, from a tested and seasoned disciple of Christ.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why don’t we hear of Helen Roseveare more? It’s not because her story is so long ago—she lived until a few years ago. It’s not because she was a single, white woman—Gladys Aylward, Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, Amy Carmichael, Lilias Trotter, Mary Slessor, anyone? Is it because her story is not that dramatic? I’d call having your teeth busted and broken and being raped and tortured equal
In severity to any heinous persecution anywhere. Then why?
I’m reading this little book, and I must know more. She is so humble, counting only her privilege to serve as something of worth above her own life. She was a female doctor in the 50s though the 70s working in the Congo, building hospitals and forming entire medical programs. Teaching the Bible. Encouraging others to Christ. I wonder how many other amazing people like her we don’t know of, whose only admiration is that of their Savior, and who care not pursue any other. I need to read her other books.

[Julie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

So honest & challenging. Such an amazing writer & speaker. What a privilege to have heard her witness at the Northern Women’s Convention in Manchester years ago & now to read this great little book in which she openly shows how she struggled to grasp the ‘why’ of events & then comes to listen, trust her Lord & ‘count it all joy’.

[Karen]

“can you thank God for trusting you with this experience even if He never tells you why?”

[Ella Koskinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a necessary reminder for me to count it ALL joy! Helen lived a life knowing that it was all a privilege, the blessings and the suffering. This is the life I aspire to live — following God no matter the cost and counting it all joy.

[Lisa Buffaloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the books I've read by Helen Roseveare have been a blessing. This book may be small, but has a mighty content.

[Sarah Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find this lady's sense of strength through the power of her faith quite stunning. How she can find it in her (after losing all her possessions - not to mention beatings, knocking her teeth out, and repeated rapes trying to help others with health as a Doctor in underprivileged areas) to consider that maybe there is some honour in God entrusting her with this experience and so to feel "privileged" to have lived through this and "count it all joy," God only knows?!
However, I appreciate that to know pain can spur people on to seek support through Christianity - or any faith or none, perhaps - so just employing our own inner strength better (whether we acknowledge a higher source for instigating this or not) and to emerge from very negative times with a positive outlook is immensely impressive and incredibly empowering as opposed to being bitter and negative.
God knows (and, if He exists then He does) prayer, albeit silent at times, has helped me in my life too, being schooled in faith (and that being Christian - Methodist mainly initially, to be precise.)
When at our weakest in ourselves it helps to think there might be a higher benevolent being that might advocate our part and bear with us through our turmoil.
It is particularly inspirational that though intelligent in her own right with a scientific mind to the level of Doctoring, this lady retained faith in something more intelligent than earth could hold, and worked charitably helping those in need now for little reward except maybe the hope of reward in the hereafter.
This lady spent around 80 years on earth, looking toward heaven, helping others and I think her life is a testimony of God showing his purpose and power at work through those that draw close to Him.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This final book from Dr. Roseveare arose out of her contemplation of James 1:2. With the clarity of hindsight, Dr. Roseveare reviews some of the heaviest trials of her life, asking herself “Will I count it all joy?” The last couple chapters apply this poignant question to the anxieties of age and infirmity in quest of ‘finishing well.’

I am coming to see that a crucial aspect of effective public Christian ministry is the humility to give all the glory to God. John 3:21 states, “21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

In this book, other publications, and the interviews I’ve seen of Dr. Roseveare, she sought to live this out. Giving the credit to God as our King also credits the servant who humbly understands their role in His Kingdom. I continue to appreciate Dr. Roseveare’s combination of this humility with godly devotion, which reminds me of Corrie TenBoom – another strong godly woman who traveled the world speaking through her later years. Too often godly devotion puffs up the believer with pride. That is a temptation that Dr. Roseveare confesses to wresting with, yet we see in her that victory is possible.

“I am still learning to accept His will – and see it as good, acceptable and perfect. This is essential so as to rejoice in Him, even if, during the process of it’s fulfillment, I cannot really (or even necessarily) see the ‘why?’ in some of the more difficult times.” (Count it All Joy! Roseveare, 2017, pg 62).

Published in February of 2017, after Dr. Roseveare had died December 7, 2016 at age 91, it is easy to imagine these thoughts were on her mind in the final weeks of her life. She finished well. May we all follow the Savior to the feast.

This Gospel Coalition post includes video of Dr. Roseveare…
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/bl...

Since her obituary is behind a paywall, if you want an overview of Dr. Roseveare’s life, this young adult biography is part of a strong series of quick reads. Since it’s published after Roseveare’s death in 2016, it may have the obituary itself or commentary on it. It has joined my to-read list.
Helen Roseveare: Mama Luka, Benge & Benge, 2019
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Marti Eisentraut · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book focusing on trials and difficult situations Dr. Roseveare faced during her lifteime of serving as a missionary to unreached people groups. Sometimes she writes that it wasn't until much later, reflecting back on the trial, that she was able to see God's good purpose and then count it joy. But what she wanted was to be able to do that in the moment. The powerful account of her capture by a rebel army, being beaten and raped became such a moment.

She writes of hearing God say to her "Can you thank me for trusting you with this experience even if I never tell you why?" He was trying to teach me tyo count it all joy at the time and not only in hindsight. I am amazed at His gracious hand of blessing, and how He has used me to comfort others who have gone through the misery and humiliatin of rape in whatever circumstances -- because I have know the joy of His presence threough the same cruelty.

The lesson is Romans 8:28 - nothing can touch me except what God allows. So I can thank Him and count it all joy immediately without waiting to see how it will work out.

[Shelley S · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Count it all joy' by Dr Helen Roseveare is an incredible book. At 103 pages it would appeal to a wide range of readers, including those who would be reluctant to read a longer volume. This was her final book and it is all the more poignant as it was published after she went to be with her Saviour in 2016. The book documents a number of key and often traumatic events throughout her life both prior to, during and after her time as a missionary to the Congo. She writes of how she was challenged by James 1:2 where believers are told to 'Count it all joy' when met with trials of various kinds and how she often found this incredibly difficult to do but the book is filled with so many lessons that she learned in difficult situations and so many ways in which she was able to 'Count it all joy.' Her love for her Saviour pours out of every page of this book and I have no hesitation in recommending it!

[Rebekka Accardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had just heard a 3 part podcast (Women Worth Knowing) on Helen Roseveare. So when this book popped up I had to get it🙂.
Helen was a physician missionary to the Congo starting in 1953.
She wrote this little book at the end of her life in 2014. She recounts successes and failures of counting it all joy. She beautifully shows what it means to enter into the fellowship of Christ’s suffering... and she counts it as privilege!
“ still, I need to continue to learn how to count it all joy, even at the time of difficulty, and not simply to wait until, with hindsight, I can see what God may be graciously saying and doing.” P48
“ we are to ‘count it all joy’ - even the exhaustion; even the wondering if this was really why I had returned to Congo; and never mind if it appeared that this was not exactly what I had trained for! truly God‘s ways are higher than ours.”

[Christy Chermak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think we all have something to learn from individuals like Dr Roseveare who have experienced much suffering but call it a privilege. This is a very quick and short read that she wrote towards the end of her life - she tells stories and lessons learned throughout her life that point to how she’s able to experience joy in the midst of hardship and suffering. It also includes some of the eulogy one of her colleagues gave at her funeral. Anyone and everyone should read to challenge our current ways of thinking and the messaging that celebrity Christianity infuses in us - that bigger is better and success means movement forward. What if obscurity is best and success is tied to humility and obedience despite the outcomes? 🤔

[Brenda Lei · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Privilege is the gift of doing (or experiencing) something of value that not everyone gets to experience."

I appreciated the tone of this book. It most certainly has a feeling of a dear, sweet grandma passing on her words of wisdom and saged advice to the younger generations. I read this book after reading 4 of her other books, I will say that she does seem to say the same stories over and over again, and that there really wasn't any new content in this book. Regardless, the approach it took and the retrospective nature of it made it my favorite thus far.

Very concise, very organized, and very applicable. I really liked it.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Roseveare looks back on her life to ask, is it possible to experience joy in even the most painful and difficult situations?

This is a little book, but it is powerful. Roseveare experienced some really awful things, but the Lord taught her to not just look back and see the joy that came from trials, but to experience joy in the midst of the trial. The section at the end that has the sermon preached at her funeral is a really great way to bring everything together, so it's certainly worth reading as part of this book. I definitely encourage all followers of Christ to read this one and will plan to reread it several times over the years I have.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brief book written at the end of Helen's life. It briefly recounts and reflects on several key moments on her life, and how in retrospect she could "count it all joy", though she wished she could and did at the time. It's always helpful to read of Christians who have from a wordly perspective sacrificed all, but from their perspective are merely doing what the Lord Jesus Christ has asked of them. This corrects our view of the normal Christian life. No matter where we are placed in the world or what vocation, we can do it with joy, even in the toughest circumstances.

[Natalie Print · Rating 3 out of 5]

A challenging little book, which helps Christians to think through how we respond to difficulties and trials in our life with faith in Jesus and, although it might seem counter-intuitive, joy. Helen Roseveare shares some of her experiences and how God challenged and encouraged her to trust Him through them. The postscript by Louis Sutton, as the address which he gave at Helen Roseveare's memorial service, was a very fitting, poignant summary and end to the book.

[Abigail Irozuru · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful story and message. The main point for me was the idea of trusting God & believing all the suffering is for the good not just when you're through the other side, looking back in hindsight, but equally as you're walking through the pain. It's a new attitude to suffering - seeing it as a privilege and way to glorify God as you walk through it. The stories of her life illustrate this point magnificently. She's an amazing woman!

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're serious about living in service to Jesus, this is required reading.
This is, by far, the most life changing book I've read in a long time. Whether you need a new perspective to breathe life and purpose into your everyday challenges, or you're stepping into something God is calling you to, this book is essential. This small book shares decades of stories and experiences from a faithful warrior who learned to Count it ALL joy.

[N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since I heard about Helen Roseveare, I have found her testimony and her faith in the Lord challenging and encouraging. This short read has inspired a desire to love and know Jesus more and to love to share Him more, so that others might know Him, too. Christians of all ages and in all places at all times would do well to take a leaf out of her book.

[Lexi Zuo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words can hardly begin to express how much I love this book. Helen is one of my absolute favorite authors. I praise the Lord for this testimony of her learning to “count it all joy” amidst great struggles and trials. Her life lived well, spurs me on to faithful living now amidst my own trials. Highly recommend!!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels an insult to give any testimony by this lady less than five stars, but I did find the narrative in this book a little foggy at times, particularly if the reader wasn’t already familiar with her life’s story. But her testimony is tremendous.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, inspiring read. The last chapter, the message preached at her funeral, sums up her amazing life so well, and sets the bar high for how to view life. I plan to give this book away often.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I pick up one of Helen Roseveare’s books I am challenged, humbled, and encouraged by her witness. This book is no different. Through her writing, Helen helps me more fully know and love Jesus. I’m grateful.

[Justina Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very quick but powerful read for me. It helped me to put my own life in perspective and is very inspiring. To read of all that Dr Roseveare went through and to see how she persevered in her faith was awe inspiring.