This is some what of a different virtue that the other eight of the fruit of the Spirit.
Long-suffering is best thought of in the terms of patience., or slow to anger in a offense.

  But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
Psalm 86:15 KJV.

  But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15 NIV.

By looking at the two translations above we see the word longsuffering in the KJV,  translated  "slow to anger" in the NIV.

Again in the following two paralleled we see longsuffering translated gentleness and patience.

   Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Col. 3:12 KJV.

   Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col. 3:12 NIV.

The most common route to patience's is trials or tribulations.
Did I not read where "tribulations worketh patience"?

   And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  Romans 5:3 KJV.

A story is told about a person praying for patience, as they closed their prayer, they said but "hurry Lord."
Could it be that we need to endure hardships and tests in order to grow in this virtue?

_Carlis B. Wilson