This will come as no surprise--life isn't fair. I've come to the conclusion that this is one of those life lessons that's best learned early on--say, by high school. I'm still struggling to learn and accept this. My best friend found out last week that her job was being eliminated due to budget cuts. And just at the end of the school year when her husband is finishing up subbing and there were so many things they wanted to do for their son. It's not fair! And the repercussions are so unfair especially when I think about their son who will be a senior this fall. It's just not fair!
And then there is my mother who has Alzheimer's. Those of you who deal with this know how unfair this awful disease is. I've kept a "stiff upper lip" and held on to "she's living with this." But the disease is progressing and it may not be long before I have to accept she is now dying from AD. It's really unfair!
And I could post so many unfair situations happening all around me, and every one out there could add lots more. The world in general, the way it's changing so fast, the way I can't seem to keep up--it's not fair! But if we focus on only what is unfair, we'll become bitter and angry. Nor do we want to put on the rose colored glasses and deny the situation. It is what it is.
So how do we cope with the unfairness of life? For me, first of all, I hold on to my faith in my Heavenly Father and the relationship I have with JESUS. My salvation is an anchor I hold on to tightly. I confess from there, it get's harder. I have a difficult time trusting the LORD and trusting that He has my best in mind. That best isn't always that everything will go well--it may be hardships, testings and suffering--all those unfair things in life. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Plans for good and not for evil--that doesn't sound like unfair things. But the word for good or prosper in Hebrew is Shalom, peace. A peace that reflects GOD is in control and He is working in our lives to bring what will bring us well-being, wholeness, what is for our best. What is for our best may not be pleasant, it may seem very unfair!
I have learned that I have a lot of growing yet to do even though I will soon be turning 50. I am a long way from reflecting JESUS in my life. But that's what Christians do when they walk with the LORD--they grow and change, becoming more and more like the Master we serve It's not easy and it often doesn't seem fair. But a caterpillar does not become a beautiful butterfly without spinning a cocoon and going through the struggle of metamorphosis. A caterpillar may very well think "it's not fair!" until he (or she) emerges from the chrysalis and marvels at what he's become through the creative working of the Holy Spirit.
So this is part of my journey--struggling with "it's just not fair!"; hurting for my friend and her family; grieving for my mother as she slips away. I do my best to hold on to my faith, which doesn't always feel like a big enough anchor, and ask the LORD to "help my unbelief:" so that whatever plan He has for my good, to make me more like Him, will come about. I pray today these words give you some hope and encouragement as you wrestle with "it's just not fair!", and I pray that you will be reminded that there is Someone who walks with us through every struggle. Shalom...
