Life’s Not Fair, But God is Good

I learned something today- life’s not fair. The rich get richer while the poor stay poor. Innocent children die of horrible diseases while various adults treat their bodies horribly and live into old age. Couples who would be excellent parents can’t conceive while others abuse their children. Some married couples fight constantly and cheat while their single friends dream of having a spouse.

That is just life, and it’s not fair. I’m not the only one who thinks so. The Bible is full of people asking God about the unfairness of it all:

Psalm 73:3 For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are You, O Lord, that I would plead my case with You; indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?

Why does God allow suffering and the unfairness of life? Wouldn’t it be great if, when you decided to live for God, everything was sunshine and rainbows? Perhaps that’s the very reason He allows pain! God never promised if we follow him that life would be easy. In fact, the opposite is true:

Acts 14:21,22 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world.”

Anyone would live for God if we were promised a good, easy life. But He doesn’t want us to follow him for what he can give us; He wants us to follow him because we love him. What if someone were only your friend or boy/girlfriend for what you could give them? Would you feel loved or used? A relationship with Jesus is no different.

So, what promises do we have from the Word of God that everything will eventually be okay? “Okay” does not mean that you will get the job, house, car, spouse, child, etc. that you have been asking for- but it does mean that if you let God have his way, everything will be good (probably even better than what you wanted!) in the end.

Habakkuk 3:17,18 Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on the vines, even though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no grain, even though the sheep all die and the cattle stalls are empty, I will still be joyful and glad, because the Lord God is my savior.

Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Life in general is hard, living for God is no different. However, we have hope in something far greater after this life is done. Let us not lose sight of our ultimate goal.

2 Timothy 4:7,8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.