Book review of The Blessing of Adversity by Barry C. Black

The Blessing of Adversity: Finding Your God-given Purpose in Life's Troubles by Barry C. Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Barry C. Black is the Chaplain of the U.S. Senate. He grew up in inner city Baltimore but had a mother who used her welfare checks to put all five of her children in Christian boarding schools. This book is evidence of an excellent education. It is apparent from the book that not only is Mr. Black well-versed in the Bible but also knowledgeable in classical literature. His book is riddled with quotes of works by everyone from Plato to Shakespeare. Not only is he a prolific reader but he is a proficent writer. The Blessing of Adversity is written (without a co or ghost writer) in a lucid, well-organized and fluid manner that makes it easy to read and understand.



Black divides the book up into three sections. The first contains different strategies to dealing with hardship and troubles that come into our life. He uses many passages of scripture to support what he says. At the end of each chapter is a summary of the action plan outlined as a list of goals to accomplish.


In the second section Black discusses how to avoid trouble by not worrying but trusting God, running away from temptations and turning loss into gain. In the final section he details how to increase your faith and using the adversity that God has put into your life as an opportunity to become strong in Him.


Included are personal stories of how Mr. Black became a gang member, narrowly escaped a life of crime and prison to become a Navy Chaplain then the U.S. Senate chaplain. He also shares a few experiences from his work with different senators and other political leaders. I recommend this book for anyone who would like solid, scripturally based strategies for overcoming the odds of life and living a life that has joy and victory. The Blessing of Adversity is for someone who wants to say in the midst of affliction “I am blessed!”


This book was given to me by Tyndale Publishing company in exchange for my honest review.







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