“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
My mother is the most longsuffering woman I know. The youngest of 13 siblings, all throughout her life, she has experienced many hurts, betrayals, and wrong actions done against her by those who were supposed to love her. However, nothing has made her bitter against her family. Nothing has caused her to turn her back on them and choose to live in some place far away. No matter what her siblings do, she loves them, forgives them, and treats them like they’ve done nothing wrong. I never understood it. If it was me, I would’ve tried to get as far away as possible, but not my mother. She spearheads the planning of family reunions. She prays for her family everyday. She shows up at all of the gatherings. She loves her family in a way I can only hope to emulate. Maybe it’s because she lost her mother at 17, and she knew her mother always wanted her children to stay together no matter what. Maybe it’s her many years of working in nursing homes and as a home health aid, caring for those who couldn’t care for themselves. Maybe it’s simply a work God has done in her heart just as He is doing in mine and yours.
My sister, what does it mean to be longsuffering? It means you put up with a lot. One offense doesn’t send you packing your bags and calling it quits. It means you love someone, and you understand everyone makes mistakes. It means when you forgive, you treat them like they’ve never done you wrong. There’s a reason why this is a fruit of the Spirit because we don’t have it in us to operate this way. We need Holy Spirit to help produce this longsuffering characteristic of God in our lives. But will you accept the challenge with me, my sister, to become more longsuffering? Let’s strengthen our relationship with God and with others.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for being longsuffering toward me. You’ve forgiven me more times than I can count. You treat me as if I’ve done nothing wrong. Thank you for how you love me. Help me love the same way. Help me be longsuffering. No matter what I have to go through to be more like you, I accept the challenge your Holy Spirit is giving me today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I struggle with this topic. As a person coming from being a people pleaser, sometimes you can put up with things God didn’t intend for you to. I’m finding a balance as to who God wants me to be long suffering with and still knowing my limits and boundaries. It is okay to love some people from a distance.
Help Me HOLY GHOST…..
Amen glory to God. Hallelujah. Praise God for this devotion truly, my beautiful sister I have long suffering, and continue to love everyone. I stand where your mother stand and continue to carry on the love that I have for nation and family and friends even a strangers. speaking of love, words of encouragement, so my hard time God gets all the critic, all of the glory. His holy name in the spirit of God lives in me and I just asked God to continue to do his work, and as I continue to follow his guidance of his instruction, God bless his ministry there is beauty in the long-suffering. There is Gloria in the long-suffering, there is obedience and the truth of God’s word we go global love thank you again much love to all my beautiful sisters connected with this ministry all across this world ππΎπͺπΎπβ₯οΈπ
May God continue to cover your heart! I feel your holy spirit. We must continue the journey of love!!! Be blessed!!!
This is why I was told “Fruit Management!” Our Father knows what each of His children is going through, and He is cultivating the “Fruit of the Spirit” through His Spirit that is in us as we submit to Him. There is a time and season for everything with certain directions The Lord will lead and guide us unto all truth as we ask Him. This is why we need to trust Him and lean not to our own understanding. To acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will direct our paths. We can be long-suffering with our family and others, but it doesn’t mean if we move or we want to stop toxic behavior that we don’t love our family and others. God doesn’t temp us with evil, He tests our faith and He wants us to past the test. That’s why He’s long-suffering with us. Then, He wants us to guard our hearts for the issues of life flows from it. We can’t change people, He does. We have to be careful because each life and what God wants to accomplish in each one of us is different. We have to know how to hear His voice. Yes. We are to be forgiving because we have been forgiven. No we’re not to be bitter, angry, or have any ill will towards our family or others. We need to be careful. Look at the many stories in the Bible where many had to move away from their family. It started with Abraham. By His Holy Spirit:
*Ephesians 3:16-17 –
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Separation started in the garden when Cain killed Abel.
In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus, Amen!!
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This message was for me I receive it on good ground Anchored in Agape love keep working in me Abba Father. Blessings Minister and Family πππ½ββοΈπΉππ½πππ
Well, I know I have some characteristics of being long suffering but, I know I am not quite there. I am not sure I can take anymore suffering, life as been so daunting. I trust I can do all things through Christ Jesus as He alone is my strength. Thank you. Blessings, Shalom and Agape πππ½β₯οΈπππ½
I also associate long suffering to being patient not just waiting but the attitude you have while you wait. That goes along with all you said because that long suffering thatβs walked out builds character that allows you to love the unlovable, remain steadfast, and shows a real love thatβs so desperately needed in our world today. Thank you for sharing.
Iβm a recovering addict, child of God. I read this today and felt conflicted in a little part of me. I love your daily devotionals and this app has truly been a blessing in my life whenever I feel like God needs to speak to me I open it and see what he has to say today was probably one of the first times, I questioned how healthy long-suffering is to someone such as myself. Being a codependent, recovering drug addict and alcoholic, I truly feel I have experience long-suffering at the expense of myself and others. When does long-suffering become unhealthy. Iβm fully aware of boundaries and how to unlearn toxic behaviors and relearn healthy behaviors , I think a question that came to mind when I read this devotional if there are women out there dealing with addiction, mentally and physically, abusive relationships, etc. how do you decipher long suffering as being a gift from God vs worldly suffering?