"the same spirit of faith" 2 Cor. 4:12

The faith Paul speaks of is a belief that he speaks. (ver.13) He quotes from Psalm 116:10 where it says, "I believed, therefore I spoke, "I am greatly afflicted"."

I'm not completely sure what Paul means, but he does mention in verse 17 that his affliction is light. And we know his affliction up to this time in his life was anything but light.
But perhaps he is saying because of his faith in Christ, and in the truth of eternal life, that no matter how heavy and hard his affliction is, it is light when compared to this.

This is no ordinary faith which the Apostle is speaking. This is a "living faith wrought by the Holy Spirit on our spirit". It's not your every day faith. It comes from God when He shines His mighty light into our hearts, that were dark as dark can be. A heart which "the god of this world" was keeping from the light, and in the dark with all his deceptions and snares, be they religious or secular.

But God, who loved us with His great love, poured out His mercy upon us, and sought us out and rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and the devil, (which kingdom we loved), and redeems our souls, so that we can now live by faith in His kingdom of truth and light.

What a merciful God and Lord we have. And He did all this for His glory and honor, and so that He might have a people that can see His glory, and even partake in His glory for all eternity. What grace is this, that takes rebels and makes them children of God?
All praise and thanks be unto our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

"Gentleness"

"Christians must not be sharp and bitter, but gentle, mild, courteous and fair spoken, and such as make others to delight in their company. They can wink at other men's faults, and will be well contented to yield and give place to others, contented to bear with those who are froward and intractable, as someone said: "Thou must know the manners of thy friend, but thou must not hate them." Such a one was our Savior Christ. It is said of Peter that he wept often as he remembered the sweet mildness of Christ. It is an excellent virtue and most necessary in every kind of life." -Luther

God takes our nastiness, and replaces it with His gentleness. It's a process, but if it's not happening in your heart, then you may not be Christ's. And if it is happening, then God gets all the credit; all the glory. Amen.