The stature of a man is measured by the length of his fuse! It is natural in the face of provocation to get angry, to lose one's temper. But it takes the work of the Spirit producing in us His 'fruit' of patience or long-suffering which enables us to bear with others, to put up with wrongs, and to do so with a good attitude. The Bible speaks of two kinds of patience. There is patience in the midst of problems which James reference in James 1. Patience with problems produces character and perfects our faith. But this kind of patience is never used in Scripture of God because God has no problems he cannot handle nor does God need to be perfected, for He is perfect. Instead the fruit of patience is patience with people. Our God is long-suffering , not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Jesus Christ too is long-suffering--and so should we. But how can we put up with painful people problems? Paul gives us some insight in Romans 12. First, don't try to get even, but let that up to God! He has promised that vengeance belong to Him--and He will repay. Secondly, replace wrath with love. Look for loving things to do for the person who rubs you the wrong way. And thirdly if at all possible, seek to live at peace with all men. To do so one might have to learn to do the two "for"s: Forbear, which is putting up with the immaturity in others, giving them time to change and grow; and Forgive, which is releasing the offense, sending it away. In doing so we exhibit the fruit of long-suffering or patience. Oh how we need for our fuse to lengthen!
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