Fruit of the Spirit: Longsuffering

The Greek word for longsuffering used in Galatians 5 (patience, forbearance in other bible versions) is defined by one word: longanimity; a disposition to bear injuries patiently. Walking in the Spirit allows us to bear injuries patiently. This blog in particular was not only hard to comprehend, but to accept in my own life. The passage that haunted me most was found in Matthew’s gospel account in chapter 27:

“they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink (v.34 NKJV).”

The concoction was basically a narcotic to dull the pain, and Jesus said no. He said no. In my judgement, I would’ve probably allowed the pass. The Man was hanging on a cross after being beaten to the point of unrecognizable for crying out loud. But He was fully obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Jesus surrendering His will in the garden of Gethsemane allowed Him to drink the cup His Father gave Him, and refuse the cup the Roman soldier tried to give Him (actually it was a sponge, but you get it). This is walking in the Spirit. But in the flesh? Would not only drink that sour wine, but reject going on the cross altogether.

Look at one of the disciples who accompanied Jesus to the garden: Peter. His lack of submission caused the decline in temptation, all the way down to the denial of Christ. For the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Don’t dismiss Peter, it was a beautiful thing he desired; to never leave Jesus’ side. Through thick & thin. And if Peter relied on the Spirit rather than himself, maybe there wouldn’t have been a rooster crowing. Then the arrest happened. Beatings. Humiliation. The trials. The sentencing. Peter saw it all, and said no way. People start recognizing him, ordering if he followed Jesus. No concrete sign of trouble, but Peter walking in the flesh made sure there would be none whatsoever. And troubled still happened; the guilt and shame of denying Him flowed through Peter’s body as the rooster started crowing.

Another haunting text is found in David’s psalm of repentance:

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise (Psalms 51:17 NKJV).”

God has a plan for our brokenness. God has a plan for our suffering. God has a plan.

When we walk with a humility that apart from Christ we are nothing, we keep close to Him. When we walk with a repentant heart, we keep the gap closed from us to God. And suffering has a twisted beauty of keeping us at that tension. Pressed on every side, but not crushed. Perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not abandoned. Struck down, but not destroyed.

But lets finally see a portion of scripture relating to suffering with some hope:

“that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:10-11 NASB ‘95).”

When we suffer, we will be resurrected. Your marriage is suffering? With Jesus, it will be resurrected. Finances are suffering? With Jesus, it will be resurrected. Your mind is suffering? With Jesus, it will be resurrected. Do you see the picture? But we must stay walking in the Spirit, in close relationship with Jesus, in order to not only long suffer, but suffer well. This is where drinking the sour wine can detour us to the final destination. My suffering puts me in a position to focus on Christ and set my mind on the hope of resurrection. Reaching out for a numbing agent (video games, fast food, pornography, social media, sex, etc.) will capture my attention that should’ve been on Christ and can completely turn not only my head, but eventually my feet to start walking toward it. Leading me only to death and despair. We must be patient, that God will bring the relief. The everlasting relief.

One morning at 5 I got in my car, and told God we needed to talk and I didn’t care where. He lead me to my childhood elementary school with a park right next to it, with a Psalm on my heart but not knowing what it was. While being vague, God showed me how comfortable it is to go back to familiar things while in the midst of suffering. Even if years have passed, there is a dangerous familiarity. Like Peter after denying Jesus, went right back to fishing, where Jesus originally found him. But just like that elementary school that was once unfamiliar to not having gone there in years feeling like it was just yesterday. The familiar things may bring comfort, but it is God who gives rest. That’s why we must stay close to Him; to stay rested, at perfect peace. The psalm he put on my heart didn’t solve the problems I was dealing with, but I allowed it to soothe my heart, speak peace to my soul, and center myself back under Christ.

Psalm 46 ESV

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, through the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Selah.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; he God of Jacob is our fortress.

Selah.

Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. ”Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Selah.