When the Laughing Revival broke out in 1993 many believers rejected it because it seemed so wild and un-sober to them. Some people did not understand why Christians were having so much fun at their churches. They denied the Spirit’s authorship of these meetings because the focus was not only on sin and its public confession. Rather than the heaviness that pervaded other congregations, these places were filled with hysterical laughter and drunken behavior.

     In great contrast, I remember a pastor at one of the churches I used to attend who would literally have tears run down his face every time he spoke. To him, everything was hard. He could not be serious without feeling the need to express just how "broken and contrite" he was, or how convicted he was to become more obedient.

     Though there are numerous calls in the Scriptures to weep over sin, the Lord never intended for us to walk in perpetual sadness or be scrutinizing ourselves for imperfection. The Bible commands us in Nehemiah 8:10, "Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." It says in Proverbs 17:22, "A crushed spirit dries up the bones." Rather than have us in constant mourning, the Bible promises that God "will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting," (Job 8:21).

     There are certainly times when the Holy Spirit may lead us to exhibit godly sorrow and brokenness. These include periods in our lives when we are not living in sanctification, and are needing to return to a walk of holiness. Or when we are receiving inner healing, and being comforted from things that have caused us deep emotional pain. Jesus may even cause us to cry by merely revealing His vast beauty to us, or when He is having us to intercede for one who has a sincere need.

     Then comes the victory though! After these encounters with Christ we are expected to find peace and renewal. The Word reads in Psalm 126:2, "Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’" It is this freedom and rest that we dwell in that shows the world we are in right relationship with the Father. As Jesus said Himself, "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light," (Matt. 11:30).

     Despite our faithful adherence to moral standards we can live in jubilation as the children of God. The world may think we are giving up too much. Yet we see how much we are gaining! As the Psalmist said, " In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever," (Ps. 16:11).

     As Pentecostals, we often pride ourselves in seeking the miraculous manifestation of the Kingdom of God. Well, Revelations 21:4 tells us that in the Kingdom, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." This is what we are seeking when we pray for corporate and personal revival. And considering at least two prophetic words spoken over this area, I believe a great wave of refreshment is soon to hit us!