The Lord keeps speaking to me about the word “resistance.” We look at resistance as something to be rebuked (“The enemy is resisting me from moving forward.”) and yet is that to be our first response? Is the resistance an opportunity to grow and be strengthened for this new season?
When a man or woman decides to strengthen their physical body— what do they do? Resistance training. They go to the gym and press past their current strength— past the point of resistance in order to develop weak muscles into strong muscles. As they do this resistance training they build strength and endurance.
As believers, we must do this spiritually. To develop our spiritual muscles and produce endurance we must push and press past the resistance that weighs on us. It can be exhausting and even painful but it is necessary to develop what is needed for the new season and new assignments that are before you. We go through resistance training emotionally, mentally, and physically throughout our lives as well. Those who avoid the resistance find themselves weak in that particular area and susceptible to injury or not being able to overcome it.
Resistance builds endurance and character for what is ahead.
It gets easier! Those new muscles will develop and you will have greater endurance and strength to do what is before you in this new season.
Some of you are being challenged to strengthen your emotional muscles at this time. Being ruled by feelings and emotions can weaken you and leave you susceptible to hopelessness, depression, and despair.
When I was in my young 30’s I faced this very thing and began a journey where the Lord allowed me to face the greatest resistance I have ever experienced— my feelings. For three years I went through a time of resistance training for my emotions. I had to learn to submit to the Spirit of the Lord rather than be ruled by circumstances and feelings. The resistance was strong (even overcoming a spirit of death) but I needed to develop endurance and strength emotionally. Since that time— I have not dealt with depression or hopelessness.
The world around us has entered a time of uncertainties and turmoil. If your peace and joy is stolen because your emotions are stronger than His truth, then allow the resistance to build endurance and strength in you so that the enemy will stop being able to rob you of your peace.
Usually, emotions are linked with mental strength. If you are being resisted in your thoughts (mentally) then now is the time to press past this as well. You must begin to push beyond the point of resistance to gain truth. His truth! The enemy loves to torment minds (triggering deep emotions) with condemnation, accusations, and even temptations. Minds that have not been strengthened and trained to move past these “resistances” and refute every lie with His truth will have a difficult time overcoming condemning thoughts and demonic temptations. But you were created to overcome every resistance and live in the endurance and strength of those who have been redeemed.
You are not alone in this resistance training. I am facing my own resistance area which is my physical condition. I have dealt with some ongoing issues from a car accident years ago and from lung issues that I have dealt with for many years. I have allowed these issues to appear stronger than my ability to push through them which has weakened my endurance and ability to overcome in this area. I must rise up (with the help of His Spirit) and press past the resistance to strengthen my physical body in order to fulfill my call and to have joy in the days ahead.
We all have resistance in our lives— maybe it’s time to stop rebuking them and begin to press past them in order to develop endurance and strength. Whether it is your body, your emotions, or your mental health, it is all linked to your spiritual health and strength. All must be surrendered and submitted to Christ.
This is how Jesus endured the suffering of the cross. He submitted his human body, emotions and mind to His Father completely— holding nothing back.
You are an overcomer! One of the most popular attractions (rides) at Disneyland is called, “Rise of the Resistance” (Star Wars) and I keep hearing those very words over the people of God. It is time for the “Rise of the Resistance!” Overcomers rise above resistance until it is under their feet. Let’s rise up!
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Inscribe Ministries
Featured Image by FitNish Media on Unsplash
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