One of the very first lessons we learn as children is, that life isn’t always fair. Most of us cling to that belief. This belief influences our expectations and can cause us to view the world as a series of transactions: Work hard, you should get a promotion. Treat others with kindness, you should get the same in return.
When there is a gap between what is and what we believe should be, we tend to get angry. “I don’t deserve this!” But dwelling on unfairness doesn’t actually make life fairer, it does, however, make it difficult to think rationally and keeps us focused on problems instead of solutions. We don’t get to choose what happens to us, but we do get to choose how we react to the things that happens to us.
Take the story of Joseph, from prisoner to prince. Joseph was the beloved son of Jacob and Rachel. He was sold by his jealous brothers. He was eventually brought to Egypt, where he was sold to Potiphar, one of King Pharaoh’s ministers. Divine success enabled him to find favor in his master’s eyes, and he was appointed head of Potiphar’s estate. Potiphar’s wife turned the tables on Joseph, telling her husband that it was Joseph who had tried to entice her, thus causing Joseph to be thrown in prison. Joseph while in prison, had the opportunity to interpret King Pharaoh’s dreams. Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom, Pharaoh appoints him as his viceroy, second only to the King himself, and tasked him with readying the nation for the years of famine.
That’s life! Life isn’t fair! One minute you are riding high and the next minute you are knocked down. As soon as you get up, you are back down again. Life is at times funny and at times traumatic. As soon as your dreams appear to be materializing, someone comes along and stomped on your dreams.
Wherever God guides you, He will provide for you. God’s Word encourages us, in the midst of our trials and our frustrations. We all have dreams for our lives. We plan and work hard, and save, but financial struggles still hit. We have friends and family who we cherish, but relationships still shatter. We love and marry and have children, but families are still torn apart.
Before the world was formed, we were God’s children. After we die, we will be God’s children. God knows that life has not been fair to us. We, for the most times, didn’t do anything wrong. God knows that we are not perfect. He knows there are consequences to our actions. Life begins with our birth and it will end in our death. Our spiritual life begins with Jesus Christ, and after death, is eternal life.
Life isn’t fair, this we know. And it would be quite unfair to expect it to be, knowing that God told us that we would face troubles in our lives. Yes, there will always be trouble along the way. Some days, staying strong can be so exhausting that giving up seems like the easiest option. However, what you must always remember is that God also assures us that there will be victory, and He never stops reminding us that we have strength in Him.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
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