Legends are forged in adversity, and like Washington, Lincoln, and Reagan before him, Trump has faced relentless opposition—yet his resilience has cemented his place in history.

It takes a lot to achieve legendary status.

In this country during its relatively short history, more than its share of men and women have become heroes and legends. And they all seem to have one thing in common: they overcame overwhelming odds against human forces focused on destroying them.

Suffice it to say, I can only briefly present a very few examples, but this against-all-odds formula reveals itself in all of them.

Many legendary figures emerged from the founding of our nation, and chief among them is our first Commander-in-Chief, George Washington. Legend has it that the closest he ever came to being shot during all of the battles for independence was when he had a horse or two shot out from under him. The entire force of the great British empire could not fell the “divinely appointed and protected” Washington and now, of course, his face can be found on our nation’s most well-worn bill, as well as stone-faced on Mount Rushmore.

Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, James Madison, and so many, many others from our founding pledged to each other “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor” and, thus, sailed victoriously into our vaunted history books.

“All gave some, some gave all” is a popular truism describing military men and women. And, of course, it was true in America’s early days. One only needs to think of a young, 21-year-old Nathan Hale before he was hanged by the British, reportedly declaring: “I regret that I only have but one life to lose for my country.” A legendary statement, if ever there was one.

Then there was Davy Crockett. Although known for his colorful turn of phrase, that is not what first jumps to mind when you hear his name. “Be always sure you’re right, then go ahead” and “You can all go to hell, and I will go to Texas” are catchy, but what comes to mind is the heroic image of Crockett, surrounded by an overwhelming Mexican army, in his coonskin cap swinging his musket in a last-ditch effort of defending the Alamo.

President Abraham Lincoln’s legendary status was sealed in blood with his assassination at Ford’s Theater. Yes, freeing the slaves was his greatest achievement, but his payment with his life permanently etched his short-lived presidency into the hearts of future generations.

Of course, there are the legends of the Old West. One of my favorite movies is “Tombstone,” with notable actors in roles of real-life giants like Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and Doc Holiday (Val Kilmer). Earp, in particular, was a heroic lawman who not only survived many gunfights (the most famous among them, of course, at the O.K. Corral) but was said to have never even sustained a single flesh wound from any outlaw’s rifle or six-shooter.

Of course, you don’t have to be one of the good guys to achieve the status of legend. There are bank robbers like Bonnie and Clyde and Wild West gunslingers like Billy the Kid—to varying degrees, all bad guys. But they lived and died on what seemed to be another plain from the rest of us.

Which brings us to Donald J. Trump.

Now, at the risk of being seen as some sort of toady, I believe what I am presenting are not only obvious observations of Trump’s stature but a relatively fair assessment of his achievements in fighting the forces set against him.

Additionally, during my lifetime, the only other presidents who qualify for legendary fame would be John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan (and, interestingly enough, although not assassinated, Reagan, like Trump, “dodged a bullet”). I greatly admire these two men of monumental achievement, but I wouldn’t say that that makes me a sycophant.

Trump is not really known for sharp-witted phrases, like, “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” Trump’s memorable sayings are more quirky than earth-shattering. Consider, “They’re eating the dogs. They’re eating the cats. … They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.” Not exactly “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” caliber, for sure.

Worth noting, though, “Eating the dogs” and other offbeat quotes from Trump may lack a bit of polish, but the fact that memes and songs—even books like the Donald the Caveman series—were created to celebrate what the president has said and done, and these all point to yet another indicator of legendary status—highlighting deeds and/or misdeeds of the folklore hero.

But, above all, when it comes to shouting a rallying cry at the exact right moment, very few in our history can beat “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

After combating months and months and years and years of vicious onslaught from the Deep State and its operatives—attacks that included ferocious lies and distortions of truth; unfounded impeachments; nonstop unfair lawfare; attempts at bankruptcy and imprisonment; a billion-plus dollar political campaign mounted against him; and of course assassination attempts—Trump’s enemies had given him an open door for greatness. Had he become a shrinking violet in the face of any of these various forms of violence perpetrated against him, Trump would have faded off into a what-might-have-been existence. His days wandering around the glorious halls of Mar-A-Lago, even under those myriad opulent crystal chandeliers, would have been dark and gloomy.

Fortunately for the country that this former and current president loves so much, Trump stood tall when his enemies wanted him to wilt. Now, will what Trump’s enemies intended for evil be used by God for good, as God did in the days of Joseph in Egypt? We can hope and pray that the president’s love for his country, his love for God, and his unique role in history be used “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).

Love him or hate him, appreciate his struggle or not, at this point in American history, Donald J. Trump has earned the title of “Legendary.”

Another version of this article appeared previously at The Blaze.

[American Greatness]