Longsuffering is very patient, I can sure use this attribute a whole lot, couldn't you? Patience or longsuffering is not the easiest character trait to develop, as a matter of fact, we cannot develop it ourselves without God's help, I'm talking about the heavenly attribute of longsuffering.
To appreciate this character trait, all we have to do is look around us at the world of abuse, crime and wickedness and we can see how much we need longsuffering or patience. Distress and perplexities are all around us and the worst ones are the ones that are inflicted on us by others. Sometimes it amounts to harsh and cruel treatment my those who have no control over their tongues.
James in the third chapter, compares the human tongue to a little fire that turns into an inferno doing vast damage. To survive such experiences one has to receive special help in the form of longsuffering, another attribute of heavenly origin.
When God met with Moses on Mt. Sinai He declared Himself to be, 'The Lord God, merciful, gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth.' Exodus 34:6.
If we seek a baptism of this heavenly grace, on a daily basis, we will be able to put up with the short comings of others, and be able to pray for a divine blessing on their lives also. Then like the apostle Paul we will be able to say, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' Philippians 4:13.
I want so much to be patient and longsuffering with others, don't you, it really is a heavenly attribute and only the Holy Spirit can impart that into our lives. It is very much needed in this day and age of all other times in this world's history, this is an attribute that we all need so very much. Grandma Joan
No comments:
Post a Comment