Day 4: Long -Suffering

“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Romans 5:2-4

Reflection

Today's topic is about long-suffering and when I tell you that black women know long-suffering, I never lied. We have turned kind of a slow burn of pain into muscle, into magic. Every black woman I know has made long-suffering and patience an art. The ability to practice patience in the face of hate is a virtue of God. It's one of the Fruits of the Spirit, it's hard and it's why black women are ready. Patience or forbearance or long-suffering is not passive. It is staying the course of your most amazing life every single day and that requires muscle. It requires a discipline for loving yourself.

I know what it's like when you have the kind of fire that threatens to burn you down, and you can let it burn you down or you can stoke it and let it live in your belly and let it fire you and propel you through your suffering.

In practice this means, staying the course today, creating a muscle of being mindful and grateful for every single moment and garnering that strength through generations that have brought you here today. We have fire from the long-suffering of our fore-mothers. It is time for us to stay in lockstep until we are ready to activate. That is what long-suffering is. It is the muscle of magic.

Prayer

We thank you Lord God that regardless of the situation and circumstance in trial or tribulation, that you give us the ability to stand. We thank you for this character trait from you Lord God.

We thank you for the ability to dance in the rain and stand in the storm and rejoice in our sufferings.

Right now we ask that you equip us with your armor, with the whole armor of God. The armor, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the belt of truth, and the sword of your spirit. We ask that you give us peace that passes all understanding in the name of Jesus. We ask you right now to come into the mess every woman and child who is standing at your feet. To the only wise God, our savior and glory and majesty, dominion and power both now and forevermore. Amen.

Walking Assignment

Today's walking assignment is really easy. The assignment is to walk with an elder in your community or your family. If you can't do that, call her on the phone during your walk and listen more than you talk. Ask about your family history, ask about the secrets for staying the course.

Because whether you call it long-suffering or patience or forbearance, it is the ability to be patient in spite of your troubles.

Especially when those troubles are caused by things outside of your control. It is being patient and enduring lasting hardship, lasting offense, and if you rub pain together long enough, you can get fire.