Count It All Joy: The Ridiculous Paradox of Suffering

by John M. Perkins, Karen Waddles (Contributor)

"John Perkins helps you see endurance in suffering as a virtue that makes you more like Christ and produces joy in those who trust Him. You will be encouraged to embrace suffering when it comes, stand alongside others who suffer, and believe that God will repurpose your suffering for good"--

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 7, 2021

About the author

Dr. John M. Perkins is the founder and president emeritus of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation and cofounder of Christian Community Development Association. He has served in advisory roles under five U.S. presidents, is one of the leading evangelical voices to come out of the American civil rights movement, and is an author and international speaker on issues of reconciliation, leadership, and community development. For his tireless work he has received 14 honorary doctorates. One Blood, along with Dr. Perkins other books, provides an enduring legacy for a man who continues to leave his mark on American culture.

Reviews

[Brad Dell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t agree with Perkins’ theology of suffering, in that he thinks it all comes directly from God. But Perkins has lived and suffered more than me and so I trust his words comes from a tender, worshipful heart. He ministered to me through this book simply with his comforting voice, with his wealth of stories, and his assurance that the Lord knows the ends and boundaries of our sufferings. In a season of medical and logistical turmoil, I needed these words.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can joy come from suffering? In Count it All Joy, John M. Perkins reflects on the ridiculous paradox of suffering.

When Suffering Chooses You

The book is broken into three parts. The first, When Suffering Chooses You, is all about God’s wisdom and sovereignty in suffering. The book of Job fames this section, and Perkins speaks about his battle with cancer, and he speaks of the death of son due to a massive heart attack at the age of 44.

Perkins also shares that his mother died of malnutrition and starvation. He shows that suffering is a privilege when we have God. He tests us, and we grow the spiritual fruit of patience and gentleness. Perkins is admirable, but keeps our attention on Christ.

When You Choose Suffering

In Part 2, When You Choose Suffering, Perkins shares stories of how we are called to suffering for the advance of the Gospel, for the cause of justice, and for the fellowship with fellow sufferers. God gives us opportunities to show love and support for each other in our suffering.

What I most appreciated was Perkins’ honesty in saying that we often do not choose the path of suffering because of our fears. He calls us to consider God’s Word, and how it gives us courage. If love is the calling of the Christian, we can act and believe that “perfect love casts out fear.”

Joy Comes in the Morning

Part 3 of the book concludes that Joy Comes in the Morning. Suffering makes us rich in Christ and ready for eternity. God gets the glory in our suffering. Jemar Tisby reminds us that we are living in the final days, and it is Christ who enables us to “count it all joy.”

With personal testimony and profound insight to God’s Word, this book is truly one-of-a-kind. Perkins has lived a life of faith. See the One to whom he clings. The testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I received a media copy of Count it All Joy and this is my honest review.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Perkins is an absolute legend. I'm honored that he's chosen to share his wealth of knowledge and experiences through his books. I feel like I know Dr. Perkins through his writings and I'm getting emotional knowing I likely just read the last book he'll ever write. He speaks so beautifully of finding joy at the end of his life. His joy in waking up everyday and knowing he will soon be with Jesus. It's inspiring.

[Thomas Creedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, simple, biblical, readable book.

Reviewing for Premier soon.

[Garrett Abel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. And not just for personal growth but truly a vision for people from wildly different political viewpoints can and should come together and work together for Christ’s kingdom.

I expected a quasi political statement and instead saw a beautiful vision for how God’s design and Christ’s love can shine through us even when faced with the worst of humanity.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Count It All Joy presents a unique look at suffering written by a very unique man. From what I've learned in this book, John Perkins, a civil rights legend, leader, and counselor, is certainly qualified to write about suffering, for he's experienced more than most. He shows great faith, despite his suffering, and reveals the rewards of going through those tough times.

It's nearly impossible to read this book and not be changed...not be inspired. "Suffering can be a painful companion in life, but it can also be a powerful teacher."

The book includes a question section in the back that gives you something to think about and talk over. These questions summarize major points, and certainly make you dig deeper.

Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t agree with the author’s perspective on everything in this book (I don’t believe ALL of our suffering comes from God. Anyone who has studied the Bible knows that the enemy knows our weaknesses and uses them against us) but he did make many great points throughout the book. He references scripture throughout while using his own personal experiences to talk about suffering and how we can “count it all joy” even when we are struggling through the wilderness.

[Paige Redwine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small book holds many reminders of how to handle suffering in life. It's inevitable and the Bible has a lot to say about it. The author, John Perkins, is certainly one that has endured suffering. He was 90 years old at the time of this writing and he's experienced violent racial discrimination, poverty, and grief. I'm humbled and encouraged by his writing.

[Robert Conder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on suffering. Through our suffering are we keeping our eyes on Jesus? In this book, we are reminded that God is with us through our suffering and He will guide us to the other side. Mr. Perkins has lived through many types of suffering so he speaks from his own experiences. We must remain faithful.

[Stephen Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, important book. Perkins writing is concise and profound. As the human condition entails suffering, this is a great book for all to read and take to heart.

This book (rightly) does not attempt to answer the unanswerable, but gives hope and perspective to suffering while always pointing toward Jesus.

Highly recommend!

[Keon Dowdell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The challenge is how to find joy in the midst of suffering. Because we're human, God has created us with emotions to feel. But through the power of God we can find Him through our pain and suffering by taking our pain and emotions to Him because He can handle it. Ultimately, He waits for us to bring it all to Him.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated his take on Job.

He asserts that Christians choose to suffer in 3 ways: for the sake of the gospel, for the sake of justice, and for the sake of suffering with fellow sufferers. I wish he'd used more scripture for suffering for the cause of justice (there is plenty), but instead he just told a few stories of civil rights activists.

[Otis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome insightfully inspiring read from Dr Perkins. Can one really Count it all joy in suffering? Is there really a Devine purpose for our pain? This book leads one on a journey and in my opinion answers this difficult questions. Excellent and recommended

[Chandler Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a blessing that John Perkins is still alive at the time of my reading this book. Thankful for his ministry of activism and specifically his ministry of writing that I now find myself benefitting from!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Perkins knows of what he speaks, and he gives Jesus-centered wisdom on how to endure.

[Alicia Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple truths shared from a life well lived in spite of much suffering.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, truthful and easily readable. Highly recommend for anyone going through a tough time.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another excellent book on the paradox of finding Joy regardless. Dr. Perkins is a man whose voice I will be looking at more closely from now on.

[Kathleen Garber · Rating 3 out of 5]

The point of this book is to help you find the joy in suffering, whether the suffering found you or your found it. Suffering finding you would be like a family member dying, chronic illness, discrimination etc. You finding suffering would be choosing to pursue a cause that could get you killed or standing up for your religion no matter the consequences.

The book talks about grief a lot too. The author is in his 90s and has lived a life full of grief. So he is able to bring his experiences to the book. If you had to bury your adult child then you especially will identify with this book. However he also dealt with the death of his mother as a baby and being tortured by white police officers (the author is black.)

The book isn’t fun or humourous but it’s not meant to be. It’s a serious book on a serious subject… suffering. It’s a short book but it covers what needs to be said. It the right length. The author teaches you to turn to God while suffering. Keep him in your sights to help you manage the pain. It’s a good book for anyone suffering.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.