Journal - July 21, 2021

The thought of long-suffering has been on my heart lately. Mission service has definitely been teaching me to be long-suffering and I think it will be a lesson I continue to learn. 
God’s consistent love, grace, and mercy shown towards us prove his heart on this matter. 

Although it’s a word we don’t tend to use much in daily conversation, long-suffering is a character trait we must always display. The dictionary says long-suffering is “patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship”. Synonyms include “forbearing, patient, tolerant, and uncomplaining”. 

Some days it feels like I can’t even get close to portraying this in my attitude and actions. It’s on these difficult days that Satan can tempt me, saying I will never get it right, why am I wasting energy trying? Or other days it may feel like I'm doing well in a certain situation, yet the situation remains difficult and I don't see evidence of my efforts.

But God reminds me that His grace is greater and that as a witness for Him I must be long-suffering. We usually don’t see results show up in our timing, but it’s in the patient waiting that we have an opportunity to be a better disciple. By being long-suffering we are showing others a glimpse of the heart of God towards them.

We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

2 Corinthians 6: 3-10