Longsuffering/Patience is the absence of personal irritation at the actions of others. It is that bearing long with people that Paul spoke of in I Corinthians. Patience is also one of the Supreme attributes of God.
It is His character that is revealed as being gracious and longsuffering. See Ex. 34:6; Num. 14:18; II Peter 3:9.
Personal checkup questions: Ask yourself: am I more patient than I was three months ago, or less? Does patience characterize the way others would describe me: driving, explaining constant questions, directing how things need to be done, and interacting with people in general? Are you patient? If we are not increasing in patience, it is only a piece of evidence that we are not yielding and submitting to the Holy Spirit.
KINDNESS is a beautiful reflection of God in our lives. It is the absence of an abrasive manner in my dealings with people. It is a chosen reflection of Ephesians 2:8 and 4:32 in my life. “Kindness is seen as that sensitivity toward others that issues into deeds of self-sacrifice and love even toward the unlovely and undeserving ones”. Kindness will soften any word or act that might hurt another.
Personal checkup questions: Is God changing my way of looking at people and responding towards people? Would someone following me around for a day say that my actions are showing an increasing tendency toward personal kindness with others?
Aphorism CITY 