Longsuffering and Gentleness

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness...'
Galatians 5:22

Longsuffering:
Next on the list is Longsuffering/patience. This word comes from the Greek word makrothumia. Which I am going to say, I have no idea how to pronounce that word! LOL This word means  the patient restraint of anger. Or Longsuffering.

Longsuffering is like a candle that has a very long wick. So it is prepared to burn for a very long time, it is ready to forbear and patiently wait until someone comes around, makes a change in attitude or at heart. Colossians 3:12 says "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. "

Here's a little metaphor. When you get up in the morning you get properly dressed. You pick out your undergarments, you pants, your shirt and your shoes. But once you get it picked out you have to decide pick them up and put them on. Now Paul says that you are going to be patient, long-burning, and compassionate towards other people than you have make a choice! You have to choose to do those things. Like putting on your clothes you have to decide that you are going to act that way and than act on it.
1 Corinthians 13:4
"Love is patient and kind" What is love? Love is not short-tempered, Love does not quickly blow its top, Love is not irritable, Love is determined to wait, Love passionately burns for others and is willing to wait. If you allow "Longsuffering" to work in you that you will be more tolerant of others and more loving.

Gentleness:
Number five, Gentleness. Chrestotes is the Greek word which means to show kindness or to be friendly to others. In other words, Gentleness. Anyone who demonstrated Gentleness was considered to be compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, humane, kind, or gentle. This word was what Paul used to depict God's incomprehensible kindness for people who are unsaved.

This is very different from the flesh. The flesh says "Sorry! If you don't like me the way that I am than you have to change. Because I am not!" But if you allow the Holy Spirit to produce his Gentleness in you, you will hear yourself saying, "How can I serve you? How can I be different for you? What can I do to change that will help you?" If you allow this than you are allowing a supernatural work of God to be done through you!
Think of how you can change yourself. Think of others before yourself. Today ask yourself, how can I change to help others? Be a blessing to someone other than yourself.