Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is … longsuffering”
In the KJV, the Greek word for “longsuffering” is translated 2 ways: “longsuffering’ (12 times), and “patience” (2) times. When applying it, it refers to endurance, steadfastness, perseverance, and being slow to avenge wrong.
In this world, there is no doubt that you will suffer wrong at times. It may not come because you are a believer, but it will come. It is easy to react with hostility toward people who have wronged us – but it should not be so for a believer.
Some believers will also wrong you. None of us is perfect yet, and that wrong may come deliberately or the person may not be aware of the wrong. You may also wrong others. Still, our reactions to wrong will reveal whether or not the Holy Spirit is in charge. Longsuffering will come easy When He is on the throne of your life.
God wants us to have longsuffering toward other believers. We may not like it – or them. In Eph. 4:2, God tells us: “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”
Thank God He chose to love us in spite of ourselves. We do not deserve His love, yet Christ died for us. He set the example and continues to love despite our faults: “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Ro. 2:4).
Though we sin at times, remember that all sin is against God. When we do, all He asks is that we confess our sins and be willing to start afresh with His help – and He will forgive – again: that’s longsuffering. May He help us to do the same to others.