Bread From Heaven

Fruits of the Spirit - Longsuffering

Dear God,
Teach us what you want us to know about Longsuffering. Let us all learn something knew. Show me in your word what it is to have and produce this fruit of your Holy Spirit.
In Christ’s name,
Amen

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

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Video about the pruning process of trees
https://youtu.be/IQhmIK-0HOc

Notice the branches that try to compete with the main branch are cut off. We are to follow Jesus and to mimic him, but we are not to put ourselves in God's place and compete with him.

Video about the pruning process of vines
https://youtu.be/E-ltkKSxEy8

I love the fact that in the vine pruning video, the main grapevines are cross-shaped. I want to stay connected to that main vine, Jesus. What about you?

Prune- reduce the extent of (something) by removing superfluous or unwanted parts.

God prunes us to take out our unwanted parts so that we can produce even more spiritual fruit. This requires patience on his part as well as ours. Abide in Christ by continuing in his love.

John 15:1-9
15 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

The song: Moment by Moment
https://youtu.be/eEEpGDz_UHA

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What is Longsuffering?

Longsuffering-having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.

Longsuffering is also referred to as forbearance or patience.

Forbearance - patient self-control; restraint and tolerance.

Patience-the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

Patience is making a choice to wait and not complain about it. We need to focus on good things while we wait and not be grumpy about it.

Patience is the quality which keeps the believer from responding to negative situations negatively. It causes us to hold back our anger and control our emotions. It keeps us from seeking revenge because revenge belongs to God.

Patience sometimes takes work. We must learn to trust God knows the perfect timing for events to happen in our lives. We must trust he has our best interests at heart even during hard times. We trust he is Sovereign and knows what he his doing because he has the best and perfect plan for our lives.
Jeremiah 29:11 ▼

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

God has a bigger and better plan for our life than we can possibly imagine. He sees the whole picture; past, present, and future. We can only see a few of the puzzle pieces, and they aren't all put together yet. We can not always see the good in waiting or enduring hardships. We want what we want, and we want it right now. Patience is asking God to align our will with his will. It is trusting, waiting, and hoping for things not seen. Our faith requires patience. The quality and quantity of patience God wants us to have can only come from him.

Having patience will also produce perseverance.

Perseverance - persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
Romans 8:24-28 ▼

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

God is patient.

I love studying these fruits of the Spirit because they are personality traits of Almighty God. Longsuffering is patience. Do we see God as patient? Our God is a patient God.
2 Peter 3:9 ▼

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Bearing Spiritual fruit is the result of the Holy Spirit working in the Christian. Spiritual fruit is the result of a process. It is God reshaping us into his image. Being slow to anger takes patience.
Psalms 103:8-18 ▼

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

Patience, both ours and God's, leads other people to Christ in repentance.
Romans 2:4 ▼

1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

God is the potter, and we are his clay.
Romans 9:21-24 ▼

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

God's patience leads us to Salvation.
2 Peter 3:15a ▼

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation

Revenge Belongs To God!

Romans 12:17-21
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Remember, love and peace are also fruits of the Spirit? Love suffers, endures, and bears all things. Love keeps the peace. Peace and love require patience.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ▼

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Patience is enduring consequences of other people's wrong doings while holding back our temper. It is self-restraint. It does not hastily retaliate for wrongdoing. It enables you to suffer joyfully. Patience requires Endurance.

Patience is used in showing mercy. No mercy is shown where no mercy is given. We must forgive to be forgiven. This by itself makes patience a precious thing to have. We must exercise forgiveness. Forgiveness requires patience.

Mercy-compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
1 Timothy 1:16 ▼

Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Matthew 18:21-35 ▼

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Enduring Trials and Tribulations

James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

This is what develops patience in us, enduring trials and tribulations. My mother used to tell me all the time, “If you don't want trials and tribulations, don't ask God for patience!” The truth is, no one likes to suffer. No one wants to hurt. No want likes to have to wait. This is why this is viewed so negatively.

What if we thought about this a little differently though? These verses in James 1, if you look at them closely, are not written in a negative light. It first says to count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations. Hmmm! That's the opposite of what we have been thought, isn't it?

The trying of your faith worketh patience. Yes, it does, but the whole thought doesn't end there. But let patience have her perfect work. What is patience’s perfect work? It is that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Do you want to be and feel complete? You need patience for that. 😇

In Romans 5, we see patience leads to hope and peace. First we are told to rejoice in hope and in tribulations. With our hope in Jesus and the greater joy set before us, we can endure with patience anything we have to face. We hope and stand on the promises of God's Word. Notice also the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. Patience helps produce God's perfect love. (How will you know what to hope in if you do not spend time getting to know and understand what the Bible says?)
Romans 15:4-6 ▼

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is also a God of hope.
Romans 15:13 ▼

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

We know that when training for running a marathon, athletes have to go through some endurance training. If they did not train to endure the race, they would faint and not be able to continue. They would not have the stamina to keep moving towards the finish line. In the same way, God trains us to have patience so we can endure hardships. He wants us to be a complete masterpiece that looks just like him. He wants to take out all the bad stuff and junk and fill us with everything good. Jesus even set a good example for us.
Hebrews 12:1-3 ▼

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

We have all been at a place where we feel so tired and exhausted and all we want to do is rest and unwind. We just want to be alone. Then we get that phone call or knock at the door. Our family member has an emergency situation and needs our help. Our friend needs a listening ear. Our neighbor fell down and needs our assistance. We were so tired, we made a mess. The possible situations are endless.

Jesus and his disciples found themselves in this kind of situation in chapter 6 of Mark. His disciples needed rest. The crowds kept coming to them. They were tired from all these good deeds they were doing. (Oh yeah, we have been there before.) They just wanted to get away for some quiet time in a desert place, but someone overheard where they were going. So guess what? When they got to their “quiet and secluded” desert place, a crowd was already there waiting for them.
Mark 6:30-34 ▼

30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.
34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

Even though they were tired, Jesus had compassion on them. He taught them many things and fed them before he sent them away. May we exercise patience every day as we have the compassion of Christ towards other people, especially other believers.

This is what Jesus said when he was getting a bit frustrated with his disciples when they failed to cast out a demon.
Matthew 17:17
Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

Jesus was longsuffering.

Exercising Patience

We are told to be patient towards everyone and told more than once to not seek our own revenge. We are to strive to remain at peace with everyone.
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 ▼

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Worry- to give way to anxiety or unease; allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles/ a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems/ mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usually for something impending or anticipated

Worry is the opposite of peace. Exercising patience can help us to avoid unnecessary worry which leads to anxiousness. Anxiousness leads to more stress and the negative effects keep on rippling from it.

We can take moments in which we need to exercise patience and look for God's divine opportunity in them. We need to recognize God's Sovereignty and try to see what he might have for us at that moment. God's timing is not only perfect, it's precise. He has a reason for making us wait.
Galatians 6:9-10 ▼

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

You can use traffic jams as opportunities to pray. A long check out line could be an opportunity to connect and engage with a stranger. If you are running a little late to work, maybe God is preventing an accident or tragedy. God has a way of putting us at the right place at the right time. Look for opportunities to help others and share your testimony.
Matthew 6:25-34 ▼

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Wait Upon the Lord

Isaiah 40:28-31
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

God is patient with us. Is it too much for him to ask for us to be patient with him? We know God is faithful and will always keep his promises. Be patient. God will always be there to help you and strengthen you when you need it.
psalms 27:14 ▼

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

When we are teaching a baby to walk. We will hold them by both hands so they learn how to put one foot in front of the other. Once they are ready, we slowly begin to let go of their hands to encourage them to do it on their own. Yes, they will fall a few times, but as they keep trying, their legs get stronger and stronger until they are eventually able to walk on their own.

We do the same thing when we are training a child to ride a bike. We give them training wheels and push them around until they get the hang of pedaling. Then we let them ride around with the training wheels until they are ready to learn balance. We remove the training wheels and they are off to ride their bike on their own. Until they learn to balance the bike, they may get some bumps, scrapes, and bruises, but they will be okay. In the end, they will have learned a valuable skill worth any struggle, pain, or inconvenience in the end.

In the same way, God brings to situations lovingly by the hand. Then he sends us through them sometimes on our own so we can learn to be patient and gain qualities very worthwhile in the end. Me may get bruises and banged up a little, but in the end we are better for having had the experience.
Psalms 37:7-11 ▼

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

By the way, Jesus thought you were worth the pain, suffering, and death on the cross. Your soul is valuable. You are valuable and precious to God. You were purchased at a very high price! It cost him a lot to redeem you.

Scriptures about waiting on the Lord
https://jimmiekepler.com/2018/12/20/twenty-bible-verses-that-advise-us-to-wait-u...

God's chisel by the Skit Guys.
https://youtu.be/3QCkBL2DfVg

Resources ▼

https://www.ospreyobserver.com/2020/07/the-fruit-of-the-holy-spirit-what-is-pati...

https://www.gracelifepittsburgh.com/blog/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-patience

https://diggingdeeperwithgod.com/devotions/fruit-of-the-spirit-patience-that-lea...

https://www.reformation21.org/blog/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-patience

https://www.klove.com/Ministry/Faith-Blog/faith/fruit-of-the-spirit-patience-162...

https://www.gotquestions.org/fruit-Holy-Spirit-patience.html

https://douglastalks.com/patience-the-fruit-of-the-spirit-for-kids/

https://www.theunburdenedmom.com/blog/fruit-of-the-spirit-study-patience

https://www.slideshare.net/DaveSinNM/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-patience

https://lifegivingwaterdevo.org/2015/07/

https://travissinks.com/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-is-patience/

https://slideplayer.com/slide/17030072/

https://www.slideshare.net/virtualprecher/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-a-detailed-vie...

https://www.slideshare.net/beng/the-fruits-and-gifts-of-the-holy-spirit

https://slideplayer.com/slide/8984087/

https://pastordaveonline.org/2017/06/07/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-patience/

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Long-Suffering/

Jesus is my permanent anchor!