As I start to write about the fourth fruit of the Spirit, I cannot help but think of civil unrest in this nation right now. If there was ever a time for the implementation of the fourth fruit of the Spirit it is now. As I write there are numerous rioting events actively taking place. I realize that not all people are of the Christian faith and will not give heed to this but we all need to consider being longsuffering even those who are not Christian or of any religion. To rashly take up an attitude of violence is not the answer. But loving your neighbor as you would yourself is!

Here are some of the events of this year alone and seemingly  increasing. 

List of incidents of civil unrest in the United States

• 2016 – Occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, January–February 2015. 1 killed and several dozen arrested. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

• 2016 – Salt Lake City, Utah. Feb. 27. Locals clashed with police after the Shooting of Abdullahi Omar Mohamed.

• 2016 – 2016 Donald Trump Chicago rally protest, March 11. Five people arrested and two police officers injured during a demonstration at the UIC Pavilion.

• 2016 – Democracy Spring rally in April. March to Washington D.C. and sit-ins lead to arrests.

• 2016 – Donald Trump rally in Costa Mesa, California, April 29. 20 people were arrested as crowd turns violent outside the Trump rally. Anti-Trump protesters clashed with pro-Trump supporters.

• 2016 – Donald Trump rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico, May 25

• 2016 – At least 261 people were arrested across the U.S. in protests in New York City, Chicago, St. Paul, Minnesota; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and other cities. In St. Paul, bottles and rocks flew as over twenty officers were injured. The protests were held in response to the officer-involved shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.

• 2016 – 2016 Milwaukee riots, Sherman Park, August 13–15. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

• 2016 – 2016 Charlotte riot, September 20-21. Riots started in response to the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott by officers. What started as a protest turned violent. Protesters were hijacking trucks, looting their contents then setting them on fire. Traffic on Interstate Highway 275 was stopped, forcing the occupants to drive while rioters sat on top of their vehicles. At the site of the shooting police vehicles were destroyed, and nearby the windows at the Omni Ritz Hotel were shattered. Looting occurred at a Walmart in northeastern Charlotte as well as a CVS pharmacy, a convenience store, and the Charlotte Hornets team store in Uptown Charlotte. After 12 officers were injured, the use of tear gas was approved to disperse the crowds. The National Guard and the North Carolina Highway Patrol were also called in.

God’s Word always inserts the way of peace in man’s heart! 

The fruits of the Spirit are listed in God’s Word.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

This nation needs God’s intervention in the hearts of all the people. This nation needs to consider doing what God says in His word.

Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

Those words have a lot of power in them if only people will believe. There is no need for what is happening to this nation. I am certainly not condoning killing of people by police or rioters.

Romans 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

We need to strengthen ourselves according to God’s word not the word of men.

Colossians 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering

God loves you and He wants kindness and gentleness for you!

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

Leaving all things in God’s hands leads to a life of peace where there is no crime, killing, riots, or fear in the streets of our cities.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation

SALVATION! 

Yeah I know! there are those who will read this and say: The do-gooders always want to bring God into it. What is happening isn’t God’s way. What is happening is man’s feeble attempt to bring on anarchy and is failing miserably. God’s way is the opposite. Here is how He would handle it.

1 Timothy 2: 1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
2 for kings (world leaders) and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

It all starts with you. You can make this good and acceptable in your sight!

MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN SO DOING! AMEN!