Longsuffering

I have touched on Christian characteristics in previous bulletin articles. I feel like highlighting these characteristics occasionally is good to remind us of how we should be. Exhibiting these characteristics isn't always easy, but are essential for being good Christians.

Longsuffering means showing patience in spite of troubles, especially if those troubles are caused by other people. As humans, this can be one of the most difficult personality traits to exhibit due to our human flaws and emotion.

Perhaps the best example for demonstrating longsuffering is God the Father. In Exodus 34:6 we read, "And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth'." Throughout the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, we read of God's people transgressing against him. And although God does enact punishment, he never turned away from his people. He sent them messengers and showed them how to correct their wrongs because he loves. There are numerous examples of God's longsuffering, too many to list here.

There are many examples of numerous people demonstrating longsuffering in the Bible. It's a trait to be honored and cherished, all be it, difficult to master. An amazing verse to show the importance of longsuffering for us today is found in Colossians 3:12. Paul, talking to the saints and faithful brethren at Colosse, says, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;" All these traits mentioned by Paul are worthy of our attention today.

- Jordan Hopkins