We all face trials and setbacks. But, our response to the challenges and obstacles that stand in front of us is what has the capacity to perfect our faith in God. So, I wanted to explore some examples of longsuffering in the Bible.
Previously, I took a look at longsuffering as a characteristic of love. Next, I plan to examine it specifically as a fruit of the spirit. Hopefully after that I won’t be as stuck on it. But I’m enjoying it for what it is, right now. And, I hope you are, too!
Examples of Longsuffering in the Bible
As a reminder, longsuffering is “having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.” So, I thought it would be worth highlighting a few of the examples of longsuffering in the Bible. I still have much that I can learn from them.
The three examples that leapt out at me were Job, Paul, and Joseph. Each of them faced some awful circumstances that they could have used to become bitter and lose faith. Yet, none of their stories end that way.
What enabled these men to maintain their faith in the face of such intense trials?
The Example of Job
One example can be found in the story of Job. He was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1). Yet, he endured immense, calculated suffering and hardship. His family and wealth were stripped away from him, and then his health was ruined.
Despite this, he remained steadfast in his approach to God. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21
Job’s response to longsuffering was to exercise faith that God was in control, even of his own destruction. What I love most about this story is that Job ultimately failed. His humility gave way to prideful, accusatory anger toward God. He was an imperfect human.
At the end, God showed up, and Job was reminded of who he was in relation to the Ancient of Days. “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5-6
The Example of Paul
The apostle Paul is another example of longsuffering in the Bible. He suffered greatly, as promised in Acts 9:16. “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
Throughout his ministry, Paul endured death threats, humiliation, arrests, beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, and ultimately, execution. Despite the trials, Paul stayed committed to spreading the Gospel and building up the Church.
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9.
Paul responded to painful circumstances by looking forward to eternity. That is how he could write statements like Philippians 1:21 and mean it: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” He counted the suffering and trials he endured as joy, as we are also taught in James 1:2.
He did not waiver in his beliefs. Instead, he held fast to the cross. Paul truly grasped what Jesus promised in John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
The Example of Joseph
Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. He was falsely accused of wrongdoing and thrown into prison, where he remained for years. Despite these hardships, Joseph remained faithful and maintained trust in God’s plan for his life.
After interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph was released from prison and rose to the second highest position of power and influence in Egypt. He ruled well, using his authority to save countless lives.
In the end, Joseph came to the moment he had seen in his dreams. His brothers bowed before him. He was wronged by people only to be vindicated by God. But, for most of us, it would be tempting to get our long-awaited justice.
Joseph chose to forgive and reconcile with his family. He recognized that God had a hand in the circumstances of his life, even in his suffering. He knew that the Lord used his pain for a greater purpose. As my pastor often says, God never wastes a pain or a problem.
Examples of Longsuffering in the Bible
So, what do these examples of longsuffering in the Bible actually teach us? I think there are some key lessons that we can draw from these paragons. When I am facing troubles, I can respond in the same ways that they did:
- Practice Gratitude. The figures who were strong in longsuffering viewed everything they had as a gift from God. I need to focusing on what I have been given regardless of what I am facing. This will help me to pray with thanksgiving, as instructed.
- Focus on the Eternal. Faith and hope are strong resilience factors. Each of these men exercised faith in God, trusting him with their future. They placed their relationship with God at the top of their priorities, even in distress. I need to do the same.
- Forgive. All of us have been wounded by others. But, forgiveness is a critical step toward gaining freedom over the harm that others have done to us. I need to cultivate an attitude of willing and ready forgiveness.
- Seek Support. The people who were able to bear up under the worst circumstance rarely did so alone. We are encouraged to live in community with other believers, and a big part of that is in the command to bear one another’s burdens.
- Pray. Each of these men communicated with God, regularly. I believe that God would rather hear anger and frustration rather than silence. In my experience, prayer is the channel through which I am strengthened to do all the rest of the things on this list.