Long Suffering In Difficult Times

Longsuffering. It’s not a topic we often discuss, but as believers, we must remember that it is a vital aspect of our heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus, and the Holy Spirit inside of us. In the Bible, this concept of longsuffering is the Greek word makrothumia, which means “long passion” and represents the idea of being “long-tempered” as opposed to short-tempered. This is one aspect of the fruit of the Holy Spirit outlined in Galatians 5:22. 

A short-tempered person is easily frustrated and may erupt in anger when people hurt them or when situations become difficult. On the other hand, someone exhibiting longsuffering responds differently – they can extend grace to others, maintain their composure, and practice gratitude and contentment amid challenging times. In other words, they are not immediately reactive – they have staying power.  

1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us that love suffers long. So longsuffering is a reflection of love, who God is, and the new nature that we put on in Christ. God has suffered long with humanity, enduring the rejection of the people he created, patiently waiting for them to repent and turn to Him (2 Peter 3:15). Likewise, Jesus reminded His disciples that we would face people who resist us because of our faith (John 15:18) and that we would face trouble in this world (John 16:33), but we overcome because we are born of God. The Holy Spirit inside us produces the spiritual fruit necessary to endure any discouragement we face in this life.