The Fruit of the Spirit Series- Divine Restraint: The Power of Longsuffering (Makrothumia)

What does it mean to be slow to anger in a world that moves fast to judgment?

How do we reflect God’s nature when we feel provoked, betrayed, or wronged?

And how do we distinguish righteous justice from the soul’s demand for revenge?

Longsuffering, or makrothumia in the Greek, is more than patience. It is mercy in motion. It is divine restraint. It is the kind of love that stays calm in the face of chaos—and leaves room for God to act. In this devotional, The Queen Bathsheba unpacks this powerful fruit of the Spirit with poetic insight, biblical truth, and a prophetic call to maturity.

 

📖 Key Scriptures:

• Galatians 5:22–23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering…”
• Exodus 34:6 – “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering…”
• Romans 2:4 – “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.”
• 2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is… longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish…”
• James 1:20 – “The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
• Micah 6:8 – “To do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”

 

🧠 Devotional Highlights:

• Longsuffering is not weakness—it is the strength to hold back anger, delay judgment, and make space for redemption.
• God Himself is longsuffering, not because He ignores sin, but because He desires restoration more than retribution.
• Retaliation satisfies the flesh; justice honors God. We must discern the difference.
• Being longsuffering does not mean being passive. It means we pursue justice righteously, without vengeance, through God-honoring action and truth.
• We are called to reflect God’s restraint in our leadership, our parenting, our advocacy, and even our silence.

 

 Reflection Moment:

“Where in your life is God inviting you to put your sword away?

Who are you being asked to bear with—not because they’re right,

but because your restraint reveals the character of Christ?”

 

The Queen Bathsheba leads listeners through a gentle moment of introspection, inviting the Holy Spirit to mature the fruit of longsuffering in us. In times of difficulty, reflect on the prayer below:

 

“I am not driven by anger.

I am not mastered by offense.

I move in mercy.

I carry the patience of heaven.

I will wait on the Lord and walk like Him.”

 

🧰 Application Challenge:

This week, when you are tempted to speak sharply, clap back, or correct in frustration:

1. Pause and breathe—ask, “Is this makrothumia or my flesh?”
2. Pray for the person, not about the problem.
3. Speak truth in love, but only when love leads the way.

 

🔊 Listen & Share:

Let this episode water the roots of your character. Share it with someone who’s struggling to hold their peace. This is more than a devotional—it’s a call to embody heaven on earth.