I learned this lesson in 1988 when I tried to enter the nation of Romania. I had traveled for several years in that country. The response to my messages had been overwhelming. The churches couldn't contain the people. The crowds overflowed and spilled into the streets. Hundreds came to Christ.

I had been threatened for a long time by the authorities. They kept saying that I would not be allowed back into the country, but God continued to open the doors. In August 1989, I was entering Romania via a train when soldiers pulled me off and held me under guard.

I didn't know what would happen to me. I didn't know if I would be put in prison or if I would ever see my family again. I knew that I would probably never again minister in Romania. Eventually, I was deported from the country and told that I'd never be allowed back into Romania. A Romanian Christian friend had a note smuggled to me in the West. It simply said, "The glory of God comes through much suffering. Keep praying." I've never forgotten that note.

A revolution erupted one year later in Romania, and I was allowed back into the country. Since that time, I've preached in many of the Romanian's great stadiums and we've seen the glory of God as thousands have turned to Christ. But that smuggled note remains etched in my memory, "The glory of God comes through much suffering. Keep praying."

Yes, there is resurrection power for the follower of Christ, but the way to that power is the road of suffering. Many Christians only want to skip from one mountaintop experience to another. However, the way to the next mountaintop is often through the valley of suffering.

The Psalmist left us with a great promise for any valley through which we must travel. He said, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for Thou art with me." There's only one thing that's important when you're going through the valley of suffering. It only matters that you know that He's with you.