RUN LIKE A CHAMPION

There’s one subject that many Christians would prefer not to talk about: the relationship of suffering to revival. In the Western world, we seem to have lost the meaning of suffering in the believer’s life. We’ve opted for “power religion” and forsaken the way of the cross. But there could never have been a resurrection of Christ unless He was willing to suffer and die on a cruel Roman cross.
Many people ask me why Christians suffer. I don’t know the complete answer to that question. But, I do know this. God will manifest His presence in the midst of our sufferings. It’s often during times of suffering that we come to know and love God in a deeper way.
I learned this lesson in 1988 when I entered Romania. For several years I had traveled into 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.
Yet, many of these believers were poor. They often suffered for their faith. Most of them didn’t have nice homes. The churches didn’t have Christian bookstores, and there wasn’t any Christian television or radio. But these followers of Jesus had something the every Christian needs. They were filled with God’s presence. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “They knew Him in the power of His resurrection and fellowship of His sufferings.”
When I left Romania on one of my visits there, a Romanian friend sent me a message. It simply said, “The glory of God comes through much suffering. Keep praying.” I’ve never forgotten that note.
One year later, a great revival erupted in Romania, and I traveled back to the country. Since that time, I’ve preached in many of Romania’s great stadiums and we’ve seen the glory of God as thousands have turned to Christ. But that 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 want to skip from one mountaintop experience to another. But the way to the next mountaintop often travels 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.” When you’re going through the valley of suffering, there’s only one thing that’s important. It only matters that you know He is with you.