Long suffering

Long suffering.  I had heard of the phrase before, but recently it made a significant mark on me. It was like I was hearing it for the first time.  I looked it up.  It is ‘having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.”

When you suffer for long.  Long.  Loooooong.  Years.  And it seems like it will never end.  You know it will never end.  Long suffering.  From situations and from people.

Trouble and strife.  Worry and woe.  Sorrow and sadness.  Pain and suffering. 

Does it end?  Does it ever end?  Is there a finite to long? Does long ever stop.  Does the suffering cease?

Got questions?org says that in the “Bible, lng is suffering is made up of two Greek words meaning “long” and “temper”; literally, “long-tempered.”  To be longsuffering, then, is to have self-restraint when one is stirred to anger. A longsuffering person does not immediately retaliate or punish; rather, he has a “long fuse” and patiently forbears. Longsuffering is associated with mercy and hope. It does not surrender to circumstances or succumb to trial.

Lord have mercy.  Lord keep us in hope.

image; grace apostolic church blog