John M. Perkins - Count it All Joy: The Ridiculous Paradox of Suffering

Dr. Perkins does it again. He frames suffering for us in a way that helps us not only realize and come to terms with it, but see it from a heavenly perspective, which is a hopeful one. As my wife and I have suffered much in our lives, we treasure his words in helping us to further frame the purpose of pain from Gods perspective.

ERIC MASON

Founder and pastor, Epiphany Fellowship

Author of Urban Apologetics

I know of no one who has more exemplified joy in suffering than John Perkins. This book will be treasured by those who are hurting, those who feel as though joy seems impossible, and for everyone who loves such people. In this book, John Perkins takes the reader to Christ and Him crucified, where all joy and suffering point. Read this book and find comfort and peace and hope.

RUSSELL MOORE

President, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

Im honored to call Dr. Perkins both a role model and friend. In his own life, he has walked through suffering with deep faith and lives out what he preaches like no one else on the planet. His book Count It All Joy arrives right when the world needs it. We all know what it is to suffer, and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, weve experienced a collective suffering like never before. In his compassionate, forthright, approachable way, Perkins reminds us that Jesus knows a thing or two about suffering, and that He loved us enough to die for us. That kind of scandalous love can be easy to forget when were in the midst of suffering, but Perkins shows us that God can handle our soul-wrenching laments, and work all things together for our good. Whether youve experienced pain, loss, injustice, or 2020, we all need this book.

JUDAH SMITH

Lead Pastor of Churchome

John Perkinss new book, Count It All Joy, is a reality check for a culture gone wild for all things feel good. He reminds us that suffering is on the menu. Gods promise is that in this life we will suffer, but that He will be with us through it all. He makes it redemptive and beneficial. Our challenge is to suffer well. John Perkins shows us how.

TONY EVANS

President, The Urban Alternative

Senior Pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship

Dr. John Perkins knows suffering. He has lived a life of enduring through trials. But as he so eloquently writes in Count It All Joy, None of us want suffering, but when it comesit comes as a teacher. He has been taught by looking to our Savior, who suffered and counted it all joy. Take this journey of learning as Perkins teaches us through Scripture and life experience what it means to walk closely with the Lord and endure in this life. Count It All Joy is a needed word from a seasoned, wise, and godly teacher.

TRILLIA NEWBELL

Author of Creative God, Colorful Us, A Great Cloud of Witnesses, and If God Is For Us

John Perkins is a hero of mine that Im honored enough to call a friend. His words have shown me the way forward even through the most difficult situations. But more than words, Dr. Perkins is a man of actions, living out a life of defiant love: showing what compassion looks like, for the oppressed and even his own oppressors. His story has forever changed my story.

JON FOREMAN

Switchfoot

I thank the Lord for leading my friend John Perkins to write this timely book, Count It All Joy. Suffering is the only power that can prevail over this world of injustice. That means we are not merely available to our Lord; we are expendable for Him. And we are happy to serve Him, whatever the cost. John Perkins believes that, and his life proves it. Now his new book will help all of us walk with him on the only path that can change the world: suffering with joy.

RAY ORTLUND

Renewal Ministries, Nashville

Whether it is suffering at the hands of others who have mistreated him in his life, the suffering that comes with self-denial, or the trials of life that have buffeted him until his ninth decade of living, Dr. Perkins has an infectious joy that comes from a place of love; that comes from God. His life and work have inspired my ministry immeasurably. Get your coffee or tea, pull up a chair, turn on the lamp, and read this book as the wisdom drips ever so generously from the pages into your hearts and minds.

DAVID ANDERSON

Author of Gracism: The Art of Inclusion

2021 by
JOHN PERKINS

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All emphasis to Scripture quotations has been added.

Edited by Elizabeth Cody Newenhuyse
Interior design: Puckett Smartt
Cover design: Erik M. Peterson
Cover image of crown copyright 2019 by Ukki Studio / Shutterstock (1156858897). All rights reserved.
Author photo credit: Will Sterling / Sterling Photography

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Perkins, John, 1930- author. | Waddles, Karen, author.

Title: Count it all joy : the ridiculous paradox of suffering / John M.
Perkins with Karen Waddles.

Description: Chicago : Moody Publishers, [2021] | Includes bibliographical references. | Summary: 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-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021017765 (print) | LCCN 2021017766 (ebook) | ISBN
9780802421753 (paperback) | ISBN 9780802499271 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Suffering--Religious aspects--Christianity. |
Joy--Religious aspects--Christianity. | BISAC: RELIGION / Christian
Living / Devotional Journal | RELIGION / Christian Living / Social
Issues

Classification: LCC BV4909 .P465 2021 (print) | LCC BV4909 (ebook) | DDC
248.8/6--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021017765

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021017766

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