DEEPER STILL: Week Forty-Seven
Long-suffering, Kindness, Goodness
Galatians 5:22
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness…”
Reflections
Exhausted. Spent. Weary. These are the feelings of suffering-long in trauma. As believers, suffering-long means we press in another day, seeking to endure this season of suffering. It’s leaning into the “grace in which we stand” and a “knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom. 5:1-4). So what is the difference between this suffering-long and longsuffering that is mentioned as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5?
Webster’s dictionary states long-suffering is both a noun and an adjective. As a noun, it’s a patient endurance of pain, unhappiness, or offense. It is a recognition that as we suffer offense, we ourselves are offenders in need of God’s goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering (Rom. 2:1-4). As an adjective, Webster states, “it is patiently bearing injuries or provocation over a long period of time; not easily provoked.”
As we look at the two terms, we quickly realize long-suffering is not just endurance. It is an enduring offense through the work of the Holy Spirit in us. This recognition brings a whole new meaning to the word longsuffering in Galatians 5:22. It’s no wonder it is followed by the Spirit’s fruit of kindness and goodness.
It seems oxymoronic to produce kindness and goodness in the midst of offense, but as the Holy Spirit works, that is exactly what can be exemplified in and through us. It is otherworldly. It is not conjured up on our own. It is not simply a “pushing through the pain.” It is a transformation of our self-bent, justice-seeking spirit. It is a sacrifice of our will to His greater purpose. It is Joseph saying “…what you meant for evil against me; God meant for good…” (Gen. 50:20). To be long-suffering, we have to recognize the offense against us and allow the Holy Spirit to give us the needed kindness and goodness to respond to our offender appropriately.
This is not a lying down and saying, “Hit me, yell at me, abuse me, offend me again and again.” It is setting aside the need to retaliate and seeking the salvation and restoration of the offender. It is living out Galatians 6:1 “gently restore your brother” with compassion, not judgment. It is a desire to help them overcome their sinful state; to see them in right standing with God and then you.
In your pain, are you suffering-long or longsuffering? Will you lean into the Holy Spirit’s leading as you look at any offense against you today?
Prayer
Lord, as I suffer long, please cultivate kindness and goodness in me. May my response to offense, in light of the nuance of longsuffering, allow me to reflect the fruit of Your Spirit in me.
