The Latin word longanimĭtas came to Spanish as longanimidad . The term is used to refer to the tenacity of spirit when facing problems.
Longsuffering, therefore, is associated with perseverance . Another use of the concept is linked to generosity and kindness .
The notion is usually used in the field of Catholicism with reference to the quality that leads a person to maintain their fidelity to God and his precepts in the long term. In this framework, longsuffering is considered a gift given by the Holy Spirit .
Thanks to long-suffering, the believer accepts the times that God foresees for the fulfillment of the proposed goals. In this way, the individual knows that, beyond the difficulties and even his own mistakes, he will be able to achieve his spiritual goals if he maintains his effort and commitment .
Christian doctrine maintains that he who works for the fulfillment of divine will never does so in vain. Longsuffering is the property that makes it possible to maintain hope and continue with the daily struggle.
He who does not have faith in God lacks long-suffering and embraces pessimism. On the other hand, Christianity affirms, the long-suffering has complete confidence in God and divine help, which is why he adheres to tolerance .
Beyond the religious, long-suffering reveals strength to reverse a bad situation . From long-suffering, human beings do not give up and maintain good spirits even in adversity .
Although at first glance it may seem like a simple synonym for perseverance , there are several aspects that accompany longanimity in an inextricable way and that can help us understand its importance as a concept. Before continuing, it is necessary to understand that the decision to continue trying to achieve our objectives should not occur "just because", automatically or without feelings, but as a result of hope, of faith placed in ourselves or in God, depending on each person's beliefs.
Continuing forward beyond the obstacles reveals precisely one of the virtues mentioned in the definition given to us by the Royal Spanish Academy: "greatness." This term, for its part, can be defined in several ways; Among its meanings we have the following: "excessive size of one thing with respect to that of another of the same type", " power and majesty", "moral excellence, spiritual elevation". Although we know that the last one is the most appropriate for understanding the relationship between greatness and long-suffering, the other two can help us delve a little deeper.
Let's start by comparing the size of one thing with that of another of the same kind: when we face a situation that is very difficult to overcome, our fears can be represented in many ways, the same thing that happens with our perseverance; If we think that both are two sides of the same coin (which would be us), then long-suffering could be the ability or the will to magnify the side that leads us to keep trying, so that it surpasses the other in size, the one that makes us discourages us and wants us to lower our arms.
Power and majesty are also related to this analogy, since through long-suffering we gain control of our own existence above any problem. Another concept that appears linked is perseverance , which is essential to reverse the lack of balance previously exposed between the two sides of a negative situation: only if we focus all our efforts towards our final objective and move forward without rest will we be able to succeed.