Longsuffering

The Concept

To carry what is never explained — and not let go of him.

Some suffering ends with an answer. This word is for the kind that doesn't. The waiting with no date on it. The wound that never gets its reason.

Longsuffering is not patience with a finish line in sight. It is holding on in the dark, past the point where holding on still makes sense.

Job was given no explanation — only God himself, which turned out to be the only thing that would ever have been enough. To suffer long is to keep your grip on him when the why never comes.

— James 5:11