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Counted Worthy: A Father's Perspective On The Theology of Suffering
A.W. Tozer once said, "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply."
As a pastor, Dr. Connor Bales has tackled tough questions about suffering for years-
But, it's his own experience as a father and fellow sufferer that has equipped him to pen this book. In Counted Worthy, Connor Bales shares the unique calling he and his wife, Mary, have been counted worthy of stewarding in raising two children with a rare genetic disorder. From the initial confusion and questions of "why"-to the practical exhaustion resulting from endless tests, treatments, and visits to the emergency room-to the emotional, physical and spiritual toll they've experienced as a family, Bales leaves nothing off the table.
But, standing tall above the brokenness, disappointment, and hurt, Counted Worthy illuminates a practical theology promising hope, supernatural comfort, and a closeness to God that Connor and Mary have experienced first-hand. Readers will grow close to the Bales family, but more importantly, they will draw closer to their Savior through their life's story.
As a pastor, Dr. Connor Bales has tackled tough questions about suffering for years-
But, it's his own experience as a father and fellow sufferer that has equipped him to pen this book. In Counted Worthy, Connor Bales shares the unique calling he and his wife, Mary, have been counted worthy of stewarding in raising two children with a rare genetic disorder. From the initial confusion and questions of "why"-to the practical exhaustion resulting from endless tests, treatments, and visits to the emergency room-to the emotional, physical and spiritual toll they've experienced as a family, Bales leaves nothing off the table.
But, standing tall above the brokenness, disappointment, and hurt, Counted Worthy illuminates a practical theology promising hope, supernatural comfort, and a closeness to God that Connor and Mary have experienced first-hand. Readers will grow close to the Bales family, but more importantly, they will draw closer to their Savior through their life's story.
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2021
16 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 12, 2022
This is a biased review due to the fact that the author is pastor of my church--and a very good one at that! He has 5 children, 2 of which have severe disabilities. I had always wondered about how they dealt with having special needs children and he explains it very well in this faith-based story of their lives. I loved the different family members giving their input about their family and faith and how the book gives many biblical examples of suffering and dealing with disappointments in life.
September 13, 2025
Great pastor with a difficult life journey shares his story of their precious family. Disabilities present all sorts of challenges, heartache and life discoveries. Only reliance on God can provide peace, joy and perseverance required to run the race with endurance. Pastor Bales reveals family life lessons thus far learned in a Christ centered life of overcoming sufferings.
November 26, 2021
A great book about how in our suffering God is never not with us! The true story of a father and his undivided love for our God and His faithfulness for us. A must read!!!!
March 19, 2023
This book took me about 9 months to read because every time I picked it up I would cry and cry and cry. This is a deeply personal and vulnerable look on suffering. I am a parent of a child with a g-tube, heart condition, and history of seizures- and those are just the major things. I still feel like I am walking in a valley with this type of suffering. So reading this book was heavy. I have never met anyone who truly and deeply knows what it's like to be in the PICU and the doctors telling you to "prepare". I have never met anyone who truly and deeply knows the power of prayer from a multitude of people. And your child, to the astonishment of doctors, makes it. I have seen God work wonders and beyond my puny belief. I could not make it through without Him, who is the author of life and death. There is tremendous HOPE written in this book. That through suffering, you see true hope. Why do bad things happen to good people?, is probably the most asked question- because we are a broken people living in a broken world. No one is immune to suffering. Including the One who suffered more than we ever have, who has suffered what we deserved. He was perfect. And yet HE still stuffered. He was the only one to have ever chosen that amount of suffering. Because He IS love. And one day there will be no suffering and I can't wait for that day!
May 18, 2025
A pastor's viewpoint of the suffering of his two disabled daughters
Conner and Mary Bales were living what he describes as a charmed life. He had a thriving landscaping company and they had a son and a daughter. Connor felt called to the pastoral ministry, and they began seminary training. Then Mary gave birth to Libby, who was diagnosed with an extremely rare condition called Trisomy 16p, which would deny her a normal life. They were devastated, but came to see that God had "Counted Worthy " their family, and they saw Libby''s life as a gift. Assuming a new normal, they learned that Mary was expecting again, and Hannah was added to the family. They soon learned that Hannah had the same chromosomal abnormality as Libby, a statistical impossibility. But they were Counted Worthy a second time, and the ministry that was created for reaching families having disabled members had phenomenal growth in their church in the Dallas area. Connor and Mary believe that God destined them for ministry to all, including the disabled. Genuine people of God.
Conner and Mary Bales were living what he describes as a charmed life. He had a thriving landscaping company and they had a son and a daughter. Connor felt called to the pastoral ministry, and they began seminary training. Then Mary gave birth to Libby, who was diagnosed with an extremely rare condition called Trisomy 16p, which would deny her a normal life. They were devastated, but came to see that God had "Counted Worthy " their family, and they saw Libby''s life as a gift. Assuming a new normal, they learned that Mary was expecting again, and Hannah was added to the family. They soon learned that Hannah had the same chromosomal abnormality as Libby, a statistical impossibility. But they were Counted Worthy a second time, and the ministry that was created for reaching families having disabled members had phenomenal growth in their church in the Dallas area. Connor and Mary believe that God destined them for ministry to all, including the disabled. Genuine people of God.
November 26, 2021
A beautiful testimony of God’s love and grace in the Bales family. This book discusses the suffering of Connor and his family due to the challenges Libby and Hannah’s extremely rare genetic condition, but the truth here is universal and you will be encouraged by reading this book.
February 21, 2023
Just what I needed!
I’ve never cried through an entire chapter of a book before. This book allowed me to grieve and process some of my own experiences. The chapters following provide comfort, peace, hope, and refreshment with the reminder that God is in control and there is a blessing in the suffering.
I’ve never cried through an entire chapter of a book before. This book allowed me to grieve and process some of my own experiences. The chapters following provide comfort, peace, hope, and refreshment with the reminder that God is in control and there is a blessing in the suffering.
April 21, 2023
Inspiring and heartbreaking. Thankful for this family being brave enough to tell their story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews