(Ephesians 4:1-3)
"It may take only a year for a construction crew to put up a tall building, but God takes a century to grow a sturdy oak. " (Henry G. Boch -Our Daily Bread/1/24/1995)
When I think about how patient God is with me, (with the various problems I have) why is it that I am not as patient with people and their short-comings?
One of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22b is "long-suffering."
In the Greek, the meaning comes from two words which mean: "makros" (Long) and "thymos" (passion) "waiting sufficient time before expressing anger."
We need to develop a slow reaction to the hurt or harm that comes to us. We are to watch having a short fuse. Instead of blowing up, and saying words, we may regret later, we need to take time to gain an understanding of why the conflict came about, and mutually work at resolving the conflict.
Instead of attacking people, we need to attack the problems.
Life is too short to go through life harboring bitter feelings, and keeping a discouraging distance.
And if differences cannot be resolved, than it is better for one to be patient, and pray for a future time of reconciliation. To me that is what is involved in "long-suffering." GP
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