We’re looking at this fruit twice, since most of us fail with this one.

Most of us are quick to respond. We get on our high horse and say what we want to say. If someone does or say something that we don’t agree with, we don’t hesitate to express our opinion about it. And again and again the result is a brief skirmish leaving a line of injured bodies in our wake.

However, that is not a fruit of the Spirit. When the Spirit is in full control of your life you behave completely different: You tolerate others, without being nasty. But let’s be honest: It’s not easy. It’s not easy to tolerate others and it’s even less easy to keep quiet and be nice. But when the Spirit is in control of our lives and we hand over control of our responses and the way in which we act to Him our actions change too.

I still struggle with this.

The Greek word that Paul uses here is <em>makrothumia</em>, which means: To wait before showing or expressing anger; to not become passionate too quickly; to have forbearance in times of suffering; to be patient; and to be tolerant. This self-restraint is the opposite of passionate outbursts and is behaviour that does not irritate others. It can endure and persevere when you are being suppressed, taunted and provoked. Even at times when it seems that others wilfully intend to hurt you, you remain calm and off your horse.

Sometimes I react passionately towards others, justifying my behaviour by saying it’s my passionate nature, but how does others experience it?

You see, we go into defensive mode. When people threaten us or if it seems as if we’re being cornered, we want to get away at all cost. Then we say and do things that should rather not have been said or done. Eventually, we’re no longer in danger, but at what cost? With how many injuries do the people around you end up because you defend yourself at any cost?

I realise that when I get angry, I’ve already lost. The emotions that rise up inside me take control and as a result my behaviour is out of control. Then I’m no longer in control of what comes next.

I realise these are not simply a couple of rules that I can line up and expect everything to fall into place. I actually realise exactly my inability to be slow to anger, to show forbearance and calmly endure. It is so much more difficult to get this right while others are nasty and push me into a corner or irritate me immensely.

And together we call out: O Lord, please help us.

We do need help. We need for the Spirit to bear fruit in our lives. Our fruit are not up to scratch. Our fruit are misshapen and taste bad. Therefore, we must be serious about the Holy Spirit. We must hand over the control and management of our lives to Him more and more. That is the only way in which we will be slow to anger, show more forbearance, and endure calmly – even when others fight us.
<p style=”text-align: right;”><strong><a href=”https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/97/gal.5.msg” target=”_blank”>Galatians 5:13-23</a></strong></p>
<strong>Reflection</strong>

How long can you endure?

Are you too quick to anger?

What does your fruit look like?

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<strong>Prayer</strong>

Father, it is so difficult to remain calm when others fight with us, but I really want to bear the fruit of tolerance. Please help me place my will under the control of your Holy Spirit so that I can bear good fruit. Amen