The fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering, gentleness.

Galatians 5:22

As June opens, I anticipated a nice, comforting verse to begin the month, something soothing to the spirit, I suppose.  So what?  Here is the word for today, this month, and all time.  The fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering, gentleness.  Let me read that again!  The fruit of the Spirit is to suffer long?  I would have expected that my promise for this morning would have been, “This month you will not suffer.”  But, no, that is not the way it is.  The fruit of the Spirit that is ready for me to eat is right there – suffering!  Am I called to suffer?  Absolutely.  Point to one follower of Jesus who does not suffer!  There is no one like that.

I find the second promise a bit nicer.  Gentleness.  I need that and I am blessed when I actually am gentle.  If the Lord enables me to receive both suffering and gentleness I am content.