"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law."
Patience- tolerance and even-tempered perseverance; the capacity for calmly enduring pain, trying situations, etc.
Endurance- the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina; something endured as a hardship or trial
Constancy- the quality of being unchanging or unwavering, as in purpose, love or loyalty; firmness of mind; faithfulness
Steadfastness- fixed in intensity or direction; unwavering or determined in purpose, loyalty, etc. sure, dependable, reliable, constant
Perseverance- steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc. especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement
"Patience is a virtue." How many times have I heard this quote over the years? How often have I simply thought of patience as not getting irritated in rush hour traffic? Or not getting frustrated with the slower pace of an older person hogging the entire aisle at the grocery store? Or a toddlers many repeated questions? Or not giving up too quickly when trying to learn something new? After reading the above definitions I am shocked to see the depth of what it really, truly means to be longsuffering. It's so much more than quietly and calmly handling a 5 minute inconvenience.
I think what really stood out to me is that longsuffering means to endure hardship and trials, that may continue on and on, despite stress and fatigue, with steady persistance while remaining calm, loving, loyal and faithful, even towards that person or thing causing the trial or pain. Without complaining.
I think that it is safe to say that most of the situations we encounter that require longsuffering are relational in some way. Let's face it, people can be irritating! Everyone rationalizes and processes things differently, so what may be incredibly irritating to you, may just be the way of life for another and vice versa. I truly believe that there are people in our lives that God has placed there simply to teach us how to be longsuffering. That person who just never seems to see eye to eye with you and loves to argue with you on any given subject. The person that you are convinced is only out to make your life miserable. The person who takes and takes and never gives. The person who makes you feel as though you are never good enough. As I've heard it said in the past, don't pray for patience unless you are ready for God to put you directly in the middle of situations that require patience. It is a learned trait.
I think that it is safe to say that most of the situations we encounter that require longsuffering are relational in some way. Let's face it, people can be irritating! Everyone rationalizes and processes things differently, so what may be incredibly irritating to you, may just be the way of life for another and vice versa. I truly believe that there are people in our lives that God has placed there simply to teach us how to be longsuffering. That person who just never seems to see eye to eye with you and loves to argue with you on any given subject. The person that you are convinced is only out to make your life miserable. The person who takes and takes and never gives. The person who makes you feel as though you are never good enough. As I've heard it said in the past, don't pray for patience unless you are ready for God to put you directly in the middle of situations that require patience. It is a learned trait.
"...we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience (tried character), and experience, hope (expectation of good)..." Romans 5:3-4
The only way that we can increase our patience is by exercising it, persevering in it. That is accomplished in tribulation, or rather oppression, affliction and distress. Doesn't sound like a fun time, does it? But look at the above verse from Romans. The great thing about growing through tribulation is that it results in a tried character, it makes us stronger. We read in Proverbs 22:1 that "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold." Also, Ecclesiastes 7:1 says, "A good name is better than precious ointment..." The name that we are known by is based on our character. Our actions, our response to trying situations, our demeanor speaks volumes as to the person that we truly are. People can talk and talk and say all of the right things, but it comes down to what they DO. Our actions always speak louder than our words. I want to be known as someone who backs up my words by my actions. Words in and of themself can be so meaningless and can be the cause of bad reputation. Our actions have the power to make a good name for ourselves, or a very poor name. In a funny sort of way though, it's those people who do not follow through on what they say that are the ones teaching us to be longsuffering, right?!
Once we have experience, a tried character, we will have hope, an expectation of good. I believe that as we learn to be longsuffering, we will be able to abide in the hope that the trial we are going through, or the person who is "trying" us, will eventually work out for the best. Even if the best is simply our own personal growth in being longsuffering! That's kind of what this is all about, right? But also, sometimes in practicing patience with another person, you may end up winning them to Christ or if they are already a fellow believer, given time you may allow them to see the error of their behavior and ways and then they will thank you for not giving up on them, no matter how poorly they may have treated you. You begin to have hope that that person is capable of producing good.
As a side note though, I will say that sometimes there are just truly toxic people, who are not the kind of influences or role models that you want involved in your life. It is important to be able to recognize those people, pray for them, love them from a distance, but don't sacrifice the well being of your family or compromise your beliefs in an attempt to help those or reach out to those who have no desire to be helped or who see no reason to change. Make your peace with them, but if they are unreceptive, "shake the dust off of your feet." (Matthew 10:14) A couple of verses that you can read in regards to avoiding the company of "Christians" who cause divisions or walk disorderly are Romans 16:17-18 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6. If you have someone like this in your life, really take the time to pray and see how God would have you approach that relationship.
It is my prayer for anyone reading this post that you would be encouraged to continue on in your trials and struggles and allow the Lord to grow your character through the testing of your patience. I desire to continue to grow in the character of being lonsuffering, and while it's scary to say that, I pray that as the trials come, my actions would define me as calm, loving, loyal, caring and patient. This can only be done through much prayer and reliance on God.
Once we have experience, a tried character, we will have hope, an expectation of good. I believe that as we learn to be longsuffering, we will be able to abide in the hope that the trial we are going through, or the person who is "trying" us, will eventually work out for the best. Even if the best is simply our own personal growth in being longsuffering! That's kind of what this is all about, right? But also, sometimes in practicing patience with another person, you may end up winning them to Christ or if they are already a fellow believer, given time you may allow them to see the error of their behavior and ways and then they will thank you for not giving up on them, no matter how poorly they may have treated you. You begin to have hope that that person is capable of producing good.
As a side note though, I will say that sometimes there are just truly toxic people, who are not the kind of influences or role models that you want involved in your life. It is important to be able to recognize those people, pray for them, love them from a distance, but don't sacrifice the well being of your family or compromise your beliefs in an attempt to help those or reach out to those who have no desire to be helped or who see no reason to change. Make your peace with them, but if they are unreceptive, "shake the dust off of your feet." (Matthew 10:14) A couple of verses that you can read in regards to avoiding the company of "Christians" who cause divisions or walk disorderly are Romans 16:17-18 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6. If you have someone like this in your life, really take the time to pray and see how God would have you approach that relationship.
It is my prayer for anyone reading this post that you would be encouraged to continue on in your trials and struggles and allow the Lord to grow your character through the testing of your patience. I desire to continue to grow in the character of being lonsuffering, and while it's scary to say that, I pray that as the trials come, my actions would define me as calm, loving, loyal, caring and patient. This can only be done through much prayer and reliance on God.
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness."
Colossians 1:9-11
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