Skip to content
  • Home
  • About Ryan French
  • AV PODCAST
  • Links & Resources
Search
Close

A Pentecostal Blog & Podcast

A relevant apostolic resource that covers biblical topics of interest, ministry, Christian living, and practical insights.

Tag: how can I thrive in God

Surviving Your Way Into Revival (Survive, Revive, Thrive, Repeat)

January 25, 2021January 25, 2021 Ryan A. French

If you’re looking at the recent past feeling like a loser because you just barely survived, take a moment to remember that there’s no such thing as revival without survival. In the end, suffering through seasons of survival are the most remarkable victories you will ever achieve. I know survival doesn’t feel glamorous. Sometimes seasons of survival feel more like you’re sitting on death row waiting for your last meal. If you’re anything like me, seasons of survival force you to swallow that nasty pride and accept that others will criticize your inability to thrive. And to make it worse, social media often causes survivors to feel like the last people on earth who aren’t proudly standing on top of the world.

If you’re looking at the recent past feeling like a loser because you just barely survived, take a moment to remember that there’s no such thing as revival without survival.

Tweet

In the end, suffering through seasons of survival are the most remarkable victories you will ever achieve.

Tweet

Asaph lamented that his feet almost slipped when he saw the wicked’s prosperity (Psalm 73:2-3). He almost gave up, he almost fell backward, almost quit, but he went into the house of the Lord and remembered that temporary prosperity is a poor substitute for merely staying near God (Psalm 73:17-28). Staying near God is the key to survival in the worst of times. When you’re gut-punched and your whole world feels shaken, stay close to God. Stay in prayer. Stay in church. Stay submitted. Stay in the Word. Stay faithful.

Staying near God is the key to survival in the worst of times. When you’re gut-punched and your whole world feels shaken, stay close to God. Stay in prayer. Stay in church. Stay submitted. Stay in the Word. Stay faithful.

Tweet

Regardless of what life coaches, self-help gurus, and prosperity prophets teach, it’s ok to be in survival mode. The Bible is full of ordinary heroes who endured horrific hardships, but they survived their way into revival. The woman with the issue of blood had to crawl her way to revival (Mark 5:25-34). Noah spent over a year on a stinky ark surviving a worldwide flood (Genesis 7:11-13, Genesis 8:14-20). Jonah survived a mess of his own making (Jonah 1:1-17). David spent eight long years surviving the murderous hatred of king Saul. Paul was shipwrecked, stoned (literally to death), beaten, imprisoned, and survived vicious attack after vicious attack. The list is almost endless, but they all had one thing in common; they endured without quitting or giving up. Once you quit, the possibility for revival goes to zero. That’s what the Bible means when it says, “…and having done all, to stand. Stand… (Ephesians 6:13-14)”. Sometimes just standing takes more courage than moving forward. Refusing to give up in the face of crushing defeat takes more courage than winning with ease. Paul couldn’t have known that revival was about to break out on the island of Malta while he was hanging onto broken pieces of a ship (Acts 27:44). He just held on until the Storm was over and faithed his way into unexpected revival.

Regardless of what life coaches, self-help gurus, and prosperity prophets teach, it’s ok to be in survival mode. The Bible is full of ordinary heroes who endured horrific hardships, but they survived their way into revival.

Tweet

Once you quit, the possibility for revival goes to zero. That’s what the Bible means when it says, “…and having done all, to stand. Stand… (Ephesians 6:13-14)”. Sometimes just standing takes more courage than moving forward.

Tweet

Paul couldn’t have known that revival was about to break out on the island of Malta while he was hanging onto broken pieces of a ship (Acts 27:44). He just held on until the Storm was over and faithed his way into unexpected revival.

Tweet

There is a cycle of life that runs throughout the stories of the Bible. The same process plays out in our lives today: surviving, reviving, thriving, and repeating the cycle. We’re always in one stage of that cycle. There’s never a guarantee of how long each stage of the cycle will last. Every mountain climber survived a valley. Everyone is either ascending or descending a mountain of victory. This realization is mildly depressing news for people thriving on mountain tops, but it’s terrific news for people surviving valleys. Thankfully, every valley prepares us for the next valley, and every mountain gives us confidence that we can get to another mountain top.

There is a cycle of life that runs throughout the stories of the Bible. The same process plays out in our lives today: surviving, reviving, thriving, and repeating the cycle. We’re always in one stage of that cycle.

Tweet

Every mountain climber survived a valley. Everyone is either ascending or descending a mountain of victory. This is mildly depressing news for people thriving on mountain tops, but it’s terrific news for people surviving valleys.

Tweet

Thankfully, every valley prepares us for the next valley, and every mountain gives us confidence that we can get to another mountain top.

Tweet

So, here’s a little key to mentally surviving the valleys. It seems overly simplistic and trite. It might even sound like a silly platitude if you feel trapped in a dark, unforgiving survival stage. But if you could somehow grab this concept and keep it close, it will pull you through terribly difficult times. And, if you stay faithful to God, you will look back and find that what I am about to tell you is profoundly true. Are you ready for it? Here it is: Every valley is an opportunity for another victory. Let me say it this way: Every season of survival is another chance for fresh revival. You will be revived, and you will thrive. And, then the process will be repeated until we reach our pinnacle destination; Heaven. In Heaven, we will thrive forever in the eternal presence of the Lord.

Every valley is an opportunity for another victory. You will be revived, and you will thrive. And, then the process will be repeated until we reach our pinnacle destination; Heaven.

Tweet

Don’t ever allow anyone or anything to make you feel like a loser because you’re simply surviving. Survival is just the beginning of a revival. When you’re surviving, you’re in the perfect position for God to work miracles on your behalf. Solomon wisely said, “Whatsoever your hand findeth to do; do it with all thy might… (Ecclesiastes 9:10)”. Keep doing everything within your power and strength to do. And, when you’ve reached your limit, God will step in and pick up your slack. You’ll be hard-pressed to find any instance in the Bible where God did something for someone that they could have done for themselves. You’ll be even harder pressed to find an example where God did something for someone without requiring them to do something first. So, when you’re weak, barely surviving, at the end of your rope, and you have done everything you can possibly do, and you’re standing at a Red Sea with no solutions, take heart. Miraculous revival is right around the corner.

Don’t ever allow anyone or anything to make you feel like a loser because you’re simply surviving. Survival is just the beginning of a revival. When you’re surviving, you’re in the perfect position for God to work miracles on your behalf.

Tweet

Keep doing everything within your power and strength to do. And, when you’ve reached your limit, God will step in and pick up your slack.

Tweet

When you’re weak, barely surviving, at the end of your rope, and you have done everything you can possibly do, and you’re standing at a Red Sea with no solutions, take heart. Miraculous revival is right around the corner.

Tweet

Subscribe

Apple
Overcast
Breaker
Spotify
RSS
Pocket Casts
RadioPublic

Related posts:

  1. The Death of Reverence
  2. COVID Carnality (The Cause & Cure)
  3. What About Hell? – Everything You Need to Know
  4. You Can’t Be A Church Leader If…
  5. Connection vs. Carnality – In Student Ministry
  6. 8 Preacher Traps – That Can Develop Over Time
  7. Politically Incorrect Prophets (Speaking Truth In an Age of Timidity)
  8. 15 Ways to Win the Battle Within

Ryan A. French

Blog Stats

  • 584,207 hits

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Top Articles

  • The Myth of Once Saved, Always Saved - Debunking False Doctrines
  • 6 Dating Standards for Apostolic Singles
  • Should Christians Dye Their Hair?
  • Been Hurt By A Pastor? (8 Reasons You Should Stop Talking About It)
  • Should We Still Dress Our Best for Church?
  • 4 Problems Preacher's Kids Face
  • 10 Signs You Might Be Guilty of Self-Idolatry
  • Praising the Lord in All Things
  • About Ryan French
  • 14 Pastoral Leadership Styles & Personalities - Part 1

Apostolic Voice Podcast

Apostolic Voice with Ryan French
Apostolic Voice with Ryan French
A relevant apostolic resource that covers biblical topics of interest, ministry, Christian living, and practical insights hosted by Ryan French. An extension of the popular blog Apostolic Voice (www.ryanafrench.com). Support this podcast: <a href="https://anchor.fm/apostolicvoice/support" rel="payment">https://anchor.fm/apostolicvoice/support</a>
Listen On Apple Podcast Listen On Spotify

Podcast Subscription Menu

  • Visit Website
  • RSS Feed
Ep. 16 | Talking with Mom (Rebecca French) About Pain, Sickness, Parenting, Faith, Ministry, Pastor's Wives, and People with Special Needs
by Ryan French

Ryan talks to his mother (Rebecca French) about parenting children with major health issues, keeping the faith through the fire, parenting tips for raising godly kids, ministry, what saints need to know about their pastor’s wife, and growing up with a disabled brother. Be sure to check out Rebecca French’s article at www.ryanafrench.com called Praising the Lord in All Things. 

—

This episode is sponsored by
· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

—

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/apostolicvoice/message
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/apostolicvoice/support

Ep. 16 | Talking with Mom (Rebecca French) About Pain, Sickness, Parenting, Faith, Ministry, Pastor's Wives, and People with Special Needs
Ep. 16 | Talking with Mom (Rebecca French) About Pain, Sickness, Parenting, Faith, Ministry, Pastor's Wives, and People with Special Needs
February 28, 2021
Ryan French
Ep. 15 | 9 Things to Remember When You're Hurting & Ryan's Top 10 All-Time-Favorite Carman Songs
February 21, 2021
Ryan French
Ep. 14 | Ministering to Vets, Overcoming Tempers & Practical Apostolic Principles for Success with Special Guest Josh Michael
February 12, 2021
Ryan French
Ep. 13 | Let's Be Honest with Guest Jeremy Gove
February 7, 2021
Ryan French
Ep. 12 | 10 Symptoms of Insecure Leadership and Helpful Prescriptions
January 31, 2021
Ryan French
Ep. 11 | Surviving Your Way Into Revival, Won't Let Me Go – New Song Release with Special Guest Nathan French (Nathan + Rachel)
January 24, 2021
Ryan French
Ep. 10 | Connection vs. Carnality In Student Ministry (Special Guest Darrell Bates)
January 17, 2021
Ryan French
Ep. 9 | COVID Carnality – The Cause & Cure
January 10, 2021
Ryan French
Ep. 8 | How to Win the Battle Within (Guarding Your Mind)
January 3, 2021
Ryan French
Ep. 7 | Church Planting (A Walk of Faith) with Pastor Shannon Thornhill
December 27, 2020
Ryan French
Search Results placeholder
Listen On Apple Podcast Listen On Spotify

Podcast Subscription Menu

  • Visit Website
  • RSS Feed

Apostolic Voice Archives

  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • June 2019
  • March 2019
  • December 2018
  • October 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • December 2015
  • October 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014

1 Corinthians 15:58

…be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Ryan FrenchFollow

Ryan French
ryfrenchyRyan French@ryfrenchy·

The trials left no hint of smoke, only the sweet aroma of the presence of the One Who stood with us in the midst of the fire.

https://ryanafrench.com/praising-the-lord-in-all-things/

Twitter 1367472645747466243
Retweet on TwitterRyan French Retweeted
RevKevDeYoungKevin DeYoung@RevKevDeYoung·

It takes great wisdom to know when faith means doing less than we want to do and when faith means doing more than we thought we were capable of.

Twitter 1367161672578850817
ryfrenchyRyan French@ryfrenchy·

This is a good one. https://youtu.be/vXxu7fu2lKw

Twitter 1367103084120461316
Retweet on TwitterRyan French Retweeted
StevePWarmanSteve Warman@StevePWarman·

Don't go to the Bible looking for what you want. Go to the Bible to hear what God wants.

Twitter 1366735783713996801
ryfrenchyRyan French@ryfrenchy·

The podcast episode with Mom, it's really good.

Twitter 1366746388873248771
Load More...

What I’ve Read

What I’m Reading

Recent Posts

  • Praising the Lord in All Things
  • 9 Things to Remember When You’re Hurting
  • Ministering to Vets, Overcoming Tempers & Practical Apostolic Principles for Success with Special Guest Josh Michael
  • Let’s Be Honest – AV Interview with Jeremy Gove
  • An Echo Experience

Follow Apostolic Voice via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Blog at WordPress.com.
Back to top