Count it All Joy: The Ridiculous Paradox of Suffering

This is a quick read, but packed with a lot of biblical applications of suffering. I like how most of the chapters are broken up by similar ideas. While I found some thoughts don't really seem to connect with the overarching theme and could have probably been cut out, they do not detract from the book.I was personally challenged by the thought God does give us more than we can handle. I love how Dr. Perkins biblically shows that God can and sometimes does give us more than we can handle. He also lovingly shares how to deal with both sin suffering i.e. suffering from our own doing and Holy suffering. This is a book that could be explored more fully in years to come.There were a few editing errors, which I hope they catch and fix in the next edition.

Great book to remind us all of Gods grace and love. Even through all our suffering He is there to teach us.

John Perkins never disappoints but he hits a home run in this book, I read it in a day!!! He really shows how as Christians we are to suffer as Christ suffers and that looks different to different people. He uses scripture, life experience and the glory of God.

Count it all joy! From the gospels of Jesus Christ, Dr. Perkins example of forgiveness only by the blood of Christ. Only by dying to self do we live Christ crucified. The world is Blessed by folk like Dr. John Perkins, his Wife and family in a legacy of reconciliation, one blood

Can joy come from suffering? In Count it All Joy, John M. Perkins reflects on the ridiculous paradox of suffering.When Suffering Chooses YouThe 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 SufferingIn 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 MorningPart 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.

I thought Dream with Me: Race, Love, and the Struggle We Must Win was John M. Perkins’ magnus opus. I was thankful for the wisdom and beauty along with the honesty and heart that Mr. Perkins shared in what appeared to be his last book. I highly recommend that book especially as we are all trying to figure out how to look back and how to move forward as a society and as a church. When I saw that Mr. Perkins had another gift to give us, I jumped at the chance to read and review it. In this book the reader is invited into a story of grace and mercy in the midst of suffering.Mr. Perkins invites the reader into a very intimate and raw moments throughout his life but also honestly shares his recent wrestling with aging and cancer. He shares his own journey of learning to trust God to be faithful in the hard. He shares his surrender to God’s plans and invites the reader to learn with him about God’s character of love and faithfulness. He challenges the reader to lean into the suffering and look for God.I highly recommend any of John M. Perkins’ books. He is one of my heroes. I am thankful he took time to share more wisdom and encouragement. His perspective and challenges continue to spur the Church to believe God and live it out to the end.I was given a copy of this book for an honest review from Moody Publishers. I am thankful.

Such a great book. If you have gone thru any type of suffering this book will encourage you

Doc Perk has given us the most practical and helpful book on suffering that produces The Joy of Hidden Treasures (Isaiah 45:3). Every Tuesday i get to be in JP zoom bible study to see him live the paradox of suffering. The beauty of this book is JP practices what he preaches. Great joy last weekend to get one to one talk time with Doc Perk at Good For All conference. We are both cancer warriors walking this paradox of suffering with Joy in Christ. Must read book for those suffering.