Longsuffering – Suffering Long

Ah, longsuffering. I might describe it as patience on steroids. Crummy steroids. However, it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and unfortunately, one which grows only under trial. Let me remind us all that because it is a fruit of the Spirit, it is not a suggestion but a command and something we are to strive to achieve.

Longsuffering is when whatever trial we are going through we have faith that the Lord is going to keep His promises and see us through it. We have a holy confidence, fully trusting His sovereignty. We are patiently enduring with great faith.

Has there ever come a time when you just wanted to give up or give in? You were tired of fighting even emotionally or spiritually. The discouragement and frustration were overwhelming. Ever been there?

Joy is love exalted; peace is love in response; long-suffering is love enduring; gentleness is love in society; goodness is love in action; faith is love on the battlefield; meekness is love in tough situations; and temperance is love in training.

Dwight L. Moody

I daresay all of us would rather not have the word “longsuffering” be a part of our life story. Yet, even James in chapter 1:2-4 tells us when we face trials and have our faith tested, it grows our patience which then helps to mature us as believers (James 1:2-4). It’s part of becoming more like Christ (1 John 2:6).

It is about controlling yourself, having self-restraint, despite the circumstances you are experiencing. You may be wanting to react with anger, but instead you respond with mercy (1 Peter 3:20) or hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

My favorite example of longsuffering is Christ’s, and the fact He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The Bible tells us ALL can to come to repentance (Romans 10:13). As believers we should be eagerly awaiting the return of our Lord, but He is waiting for others to turn to Him and trust Him as their Savior.

A beautiful Psalms which aptly describes the season of longsuffering for many is Psalms 40:1-3. “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.”

Are you still in that horrible pit? Do your feet feel stuck in miry clay because you do not see any way out of the circumstances you are facing? Guess what? The Lord IS THERE. He will hear your cry as His child. He sees and knows and understands what you are going through. There is a purpose. There is a plan. “All things” will work out “good” as He promised if we love Him (Romans 8:28). He knows the ending whether you get to find it out here on earth or see the greater good later in Heaven.

What would happen if we practiced longsuffering in our daily lives? With our co-workers, children, spouse, fellow church members, etc? If we are obeying the command to love which was the first fruit of the Spirit, then longsuffering will come more easily. Loving those individuals who are testing our need for restraint will help us to want to show them mercy and grace.

Sometimes we are having to practice longsuffering not because of any one person but because of a trial we are going through whether it’s a health problem, the loss of a job or tight finances, the death of a loved one…at some point all of us WILL have to learn longsuffering. How will you face it? Will you allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life? To give you the patience to live through it with hope? He promises to help us put one foot in front of the other persevering with grace as we face whatever trials this life throws at us.

The bad news is some of us will never know on this side of eternity the greater good of why we are experiencing what we are, BUT, believer, the good news is as His child, He is ALWAYS there. You just have to call unto Him. Don’t lose heart. He has not forgotten you. You are NOT alone with the Lord Jesus Christ as your comforter. Keep trusting the Lord in your longsuffering as you become more like Him. 💕