The Fruit of the Spirit: Longsuffering (Patience) – Endurance and Perseverance Through Hardships and Difficult People

Patience is one of those fruits of the Spirit that sounds sweet until you realize it’s grown through struggle. Longsuffering isn’t just about waiting—it’s about how we wait. It’s about how we treat others while enduring difficult seasons. I didn’t always understand this, but the Lord has used my life to teach me what patience truly means.

"Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind… Let each esteem other better than themselves." – Philippians 2:2-4 (KJV)

When I lost my job, I thought I would take it in stride. I told myself I’d be fine, but deep down, I was anxious and afraid. My thoughts spiraled. What if I couldn’t find another position? What if my finances took a hit? What if this loss wasn’t temporary?

I went from calm to overwhelmed quickly—and it showed. While I put on a composed face for the outside world, at home, my attitude revealed a different story. I was short with the people I loved, quick to lose hope, and secretly angry with God for allowing such a difficult season.

But God—He is so patient with us, even when we are not. And in that quiet space between fear and faith, I felt Him gently convict my heart.

“Lisa, longsuffering isn’t about what you go through—it’s about how you go through it.”

That stopped me in my tracks. I had been so focused on the hardship that I hadn’t even realized my response to it was robbing me of growth. I wasn’t practicing patience. I was spiraling in self-reliance. And let me tell you—self-reliance can be a dangerous place when we are meant to lean on God.

What Longsuffering Looks Like in Real Life

Longsuffering is more than just waiting—it’s waiting well.

It’s continuing to believe God is good when your circumstances don’t look good.
It’s choosing kindness over bitterness when someone repeatedly disappoints you.
It’s trusting that God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels painfully slow.

One verse that ministered deeply to me was Colossians 1:11 (TLB):"We are praying, too, that you will be filled with his mighty, glorious strength so that you can keep going no matter what happens—always full of the joy of the Lord."

In the middle of my challenge, I started praying that over my life. I needed to be strengthened—not just to endure, but to endure with joy. Not fake joy, but the kind of joy that comes from knowing God sees me and hasn’t left me.

Growing in Patience and Grace

There’s something refining about suffering. I don’t believe God delights in our pain, but I do believe He uses it. This season helped me become more patient with others, and honestly, more patient with myself. I realized I was holding myself to unrealistic expectations. I expected to be strong, unshaken, and “spiritual” at all times. But even Jesus wept. Even He had moments of anguish. Why wouldn’t I?

Instead of stuffing my feelings, I brought them to God. I learned to lean on Him in ways I hadn’t before. I let go of pride and learned to receive help—from Him and from people He placed in my life. That required humility. That required trust. And yes, that required patience.

Reflection: Are You in a Season of Longsuffering?

Ask yourself:

How is God helping you grow in patience and the ability to endure?
Have you ever been in a season where you had to suffer long?
How did you cope, and where did you place your hope?

My encouragement to you is this: Don’t despise the waiting. God is shaping something beautiful within you. Every delay, every challenge, every difficult person you deal with—it’s all being used to grow this fruit in you. Longsuffering produces a strength that easy seasons never could.

My Takeaway

Longsuffering has taught me how to respond with grace instead of frustration. It’s helped me develop a more forgiving and resilient spirit, not just toward others but toward myself. I’ve learned that patience is not passive—it’s deeply powerful. It says, “God, I trust You enough to wait on You.”

📖 If this resonates with you and you want to go deeper into embracing God’s process, my book Quieting the Noise: From My Head to My Heart shares this journey in even more depth.