“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” (James 1:2)

All the valleys, tests, trials, and tribulations carry with them resistance. The flesh hates resistance; for resistance is a tool used of God to have us crucify the flesh daily, and to lean on Him and not on our own understanding.

Resistance purifies us, cleansing the soul and spirit. Resistance causes those who are touched by it to come to the end of self-sufficiency; and to see, by experience, the Sufficiency of God (2 Corinthians 3:5). Through resistance, God reveals our weakness and His Strength (2 Corinthians 12:8-12).

Resistance causes us to look within ourselves; to remember that God led us this way, and not ourselves.

The flesh hates resistance, and will always take the path of least resistance.

But David reminds all who read Psalms 23:1-6, the benefits and blessings of the Shepherd of the Sheep in the Valley of the Shadow of Death – David said of Christ, “For thou art with me.” What else can a Child of Grace ask of God than to be with him? Resistance causes us to experience then the love of the Shepherd as the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, and the Chief Shepherd.

In resistance, our flesh cries out for relief; but our spirits are in peace and rest, as Christ is ever so close to us – always. He is ever watching over us; providing for us; protecting us from all enemies, even from our own flesh and its deceiving ways.

Resistance makes us cry out to God in prayer for strength to make the journey; to honor Him in every instance of our daily life; to walk in faith, hope, and charity toward Him, and toward each other, and even to others outside our circle.

Resistance reveals to us that we are but dust – frail and weak – without the Power of Christ working in our life.

Resistance is in the process of weaning us from this world and directing our attention to heaven; causing us more and more to depart, and to be with Christ forever and ever and ever and ever.

And resistance causes us to see His Grace, Mercy, and Strength (Philippians 4:13, 19); because it causes us to let go of any hope in the flesh.

Resistance has and is developing our faith to continue to fight the good fight of faith. It gives us a desire to be an overcomer in the Victory of Christ – because He lives, we live also. We know, because of the witness in our spirit, that we are His Children. Therefore, nothing will stop our Victory in Christ (1 John 5:4).

Reader, we could go on and on about the benefits of resistance – trials, troubles, tests, tribulations, etc. Study Deuteronomy 8:1-8; James 1:2-4.

Then ask yourself: Are you allowing your flesh to seek the path of least resistance? Or are you living His Life in your life?

Are you celebrating His Victory in your life?