What To Do When Life Isn’t Fair

You get to decide how you respond when life is unfair.

Ever find yourself saying that? Of course, we all have. 

We’ve all said it because, at some point, it was true; something happened to us that was not fair. It is usually accompanied by false accusation or judgment.

It just doesn’t add up because you love God and you trust Him. You treat others the way you want them to treat you. You don’t cheat, you’re honest and play by the rules.

And then all of a sudden, seemingly out of nowhere … BAM!  You’re unfairly treated for no apparent reason.

Or is there?

Maybe there are a few possibilities to consider as to why it seems unfair:

1. You perceive the treatment to be unfair, because of something you’re not willing to own up to. A bad decision, an unwillingness to look beneath the surface, or an insensitivity to someone or something that had a reaction you didn’t expect and don’t think is fair.

2. You’re simply caught up in the reality that living in a sinful world can make life unfair.

3. It’s God’s fault and He pre-arranged the circumstances that caused you to feel things are unfair.

But wait. Isn’t the last one an outright accusation that blames God for your unfair treatment? That almost seems blasphemous if your theology doesn’t allow for it.

So what about Job? He’s the innocent guy in the Bible for whom everything went wrong.  Certainly what happened to him was completely unfair. Here was a man whom God said was “blameless.” 

Yet God baits Satan into treating Job “unfairly” in Job 1:6-12.   

After God asks Satan what he’s been up to as he’s checking things out on earth, the Lord points out his friend Job. 

“The Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.’” Job 1:8 (NASB)

Satan mockingly says it’s all because God spoils him with blessings and if God would let him take it all away, Job would curse God.

So God says go for it and you’ll see that even when Job doesn’t deserve this kind of unfair treatment, he will still remain loyal.

What a setup. What a test. And what an outcome! 

Job suffered unfair treatment but was restored beyond what he could have imagined. The lessons he learned about who God is still teaching us today. 

But Job’s not alone. What about Jesus?   

Can you think of anyone who, as a perfect man, was treated so completely unfairly? All by God’s design?  Yes, even a “pre-arranged” plan!  

“...this Man (Jesus), delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death..” Acts 2:23 (NASB)

I don’t know about you, but even if I don’t like the way that sounds, it is still true. God didn’t just allow this unfair treatment to happen, He arranged for it!

And the outcome? Jesus’ suffering and death gave us salvation, restoration and a way to have an intimate friendship with God Himself.

But that was just for Jesus, right? 

You decide. 

The next time you’re treated unfairly stop and consider what might be at the root: 

• Maybe you brought it on yourself from something you did or didn’t do to cause it. If so, own it.
  “One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, but one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion.” Proverbs 28:13 (NASB)

• Maybe it’s just plain and simply the result of a sin-filled world that we are all subjected to. If so, accept it and make the best of it, trusting God to help you through it. 
  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NASB) 

• Maybe it is possible that God, in His sovereign wisdom, might have lovingly arranged things in order to accomplish something far greater than what you can understand.
  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NASB)                                                                     

If so, go with it and expect an experience of intimacy with the Lord that far surpasses the feelings of being treated unfairly.

He is God after all.  He is always trustworthy to prove His love by carrying out His perfect plans and purposes for you.