I love to watch their reaction when I remind my fellow believers who are going through a trial that long-suffering is one of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Their facial expression ranged from I didn’t think of that, to why do you have to remind me?
Yes, longsuffering in the King James version or patience in the modern translation is the ability to endure injuries inflicted by others and the willingness to accept irritating or painful situations and still remain composed and not lose your temper. In fact, I would not be writing this and you would not be reading it if our Lord did not possess this character.
The Apostle Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 3:9 that the Lord is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish but all should come to repentance.
God is indeed slow to anger and quick to be merciful. However, His patience is not forever, because He has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by Christ, and that day will mark the endpoint of His longsuffering with mankind.
Until then, here’s what scripture commands us to do. We are told by the Apostle James to count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations, because the trying of our faith brings about patience, but we are not to give up too quickly, instead let patience have her perfect work. James 1:2-4
In Romans 5:3-4, the Apostle Paul puts it this way; celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance and perseverance-proven character.
To that end, a believer with a proven character will display faith that will enable him or her to inherit the promises of God. Hebrews 6:11-12
To be sure, demonstrating long-suffering patience is not easy, especially when it seems as if we are dealing with it every day. It can eat away at our love, our hope, and our faith.
This is why we have to depend on the Holy Spirit who gives us the ability to live a Spirit-filled life when we yield our entire being to him. God bless you.