Life Isn't Fair, But Is It Supposed To Be? | Anchors Aweigh

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Life Isn't Fair, But Is It Supposed To Be?

I've always had an issue with fairness, from the time I was a little girl. My parents and sisters lovingly chant "justice justice" when I make a comment about something being unfair. Even Parker has adopted the motto, and I can't even fault them for it. I do get my nose out of joint when things aren't fair.

Since we just moved again, we are back to church-hopping. We went to a new church this past Sunday, and the preacher spoke on the subject of fairness. I smiled and thought "okay God, I'm listening". He talked about the parable in Matthew 20:1-16

I encourage you to read the parable, but essentially, a landowner hired workers to work in his vineyard and agreed to pay them a denarius for the day. Three hours later, he hired more workers and promised to pay them what is right. He hired more workers on the sixth and ninth hour, and then still more on the eleventh hour. When the twelfth hour rolled around, the landowner gave each worker a denarius. Those who had been there since the beginning were frustrated that they worked longer yet still were given the same wages. When they complained, the landowner reminded them that he agreed to pay them a denarius for the day, and that's what he did. Did he not have the right to do what he wanted with his own money? Were the workers envious because the landowner was generous?

Upon examining the parable, the preacher started with his first point: God is just. In my head, I immediately wrote off the church after that statement. If there is anything I have learned in life, it's that it isn't fair. It's not fair that members of my family went from being perfectly healthy to not. It's not fair that so many wonderful, God-loving couples struggle with fertility while those who aren't fit to be parents by any earthly standards have children. It's not fair that I met the man of my dreams and am happily married while so many of my friends desperately long to find the right person for them. 

Then I thought about his statement some more. "God is just". Nowhere in the Bible did God say He would be fair, but He did promise to fulfill His promises to us. He promised He would never flood the earth again after Noah's ark, and He hasn't. He promised to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt, and He did. The Bible says countless times that God will fulfill His covenant to us and remember His promises, but it never once says life will be fair. God is, in fact, very just. I take back my initial reaction about the church and am really looking forward to attending next Sunday.

So why is life unfair? Why do some people receive more blessings than others? Why are some born eating from a silver spoon and others on the streets in poverty? We have no idea, and we probably never will. God didn't promise life would be fair, but He did promise He would be with us every step of the way.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."- John 16:33

2014 hasn't been the easiest year. It has been full of blessings, but it has also been full of trials and tribulations for my family. I don't know why bad things have happened to people that I love, to people that love God with all of their hearts. I do, however, know that God promised to see us through it, and that in Him, we have peace. 


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18 comments :

Robyn B said...

this is a great post! :) i have always struggled with comparison/feeling that life is unfair. my dad calls it "counting cheetos" because when i was little and he would fix us lunch - i would count how many cheetos my sister got and how many i got. if she got more i would say he wasn't being fair. ha!

this is a great reminder though! my pastor actually said something so astounding a few years ago. he said that yes life isn't fair. but it is radically unfair in our FAVOR! because what's fair - is for us to receive the wrath of God and be separated from Him forever because we are His enemies. it is only through Jesus that we are given grace & access to God. so good thing life isn't fair! :)

Carly said...

I am also guilty of catching myself saying "life's not fair", and one of my favorite quotes is "life isn't faith, but God is ALWAYS faithful" is what I try and remind myself. Love this post!

Caitlin said...

This post gave me chills. I love your message oh so much. I always used to say life isn't fair and compare myself and have taken a step back since those days. Life isn't fair, but God is always faithful to us!

Jonni said...

great post! This has been one of the most difficult subject for me to touch on with non believers. I know that even if I don't understand I can trust God implicitly. some things you just have to take by faith.

~Anchored In Christ~ said...

I say this myself and esp when it comes to how i'm treated lately and how i've been treated. Life can seem fair but then life can be so great too. here's a post i did of life is unfair.

http://hotpinkowl02.blogspot.com/2014/03/life-isnt-fair.html

Brianna said...

Fairness is definitely a tough thing to chew. You're right, life isn't fair! But how overcoming is it that God wants to be with us through the trials and tribulations? It brings an overwhelming sense of peace knowing that our Savior has our futures in His hands and will be there every step of the way!

Jen said...

This is such a great post, thank you for sharing!

Marley Marie said...

You know I love when you said God is just but he didn't promise to be fair, he said that he would fulfill his promises....that one really made me take a step back and think! Great post and thank you for sharing!
-Marley
http://www.afandlove.blogspot.com/

Sarah @ The Not Quite Military Wife said...

What a great reminder, thanks for sharing!

Susannah said...

I have such a hard time with things not being fair too! It's a good thing God is so much wiser than I am. He knows what true justice is. Thanks for linking this up with the Faith and Fellowship blog hop! :-)

Janelle Cook said...

What a wonderful post, Chelsea! Thanks for the reminder. :)

Jamie Hart said...

Chels!!! What an unexpectedly awesome and touching post. I can't even explain how much it means to me. Life isn't fair and God didn't promise to be fair but he did promise to be with us every step of the way. This is just the reminder that I needed today-- this week. I wish that I had this when I lost my son Miller, when I suffered my miscarriage, when I lost my beloved family members, and when I just simply suffered throughout life. You never cease to amaze me in your kind and Godly words-- THANK YOU for bringing this to my attention when I needed this the most. XOXO

Chantel said...

Love this post, it is so true. It can be so easy to take the "life isn't fair" and start the comparison game . . . I know I've been guilty of that so many times. But God has us where we are for a reason, even if we don't know why at the moment. I love John 16:33, thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

This post is exactly what I needed to read. I've been questioning why it seems like the good people get the hard lots in life while others don't, but this post reminded me that God will reveal it in His time.

Kenzie Smith said...

What an excellent post! Thank you for sharing this :)

Stephanie said...

This was so great! It can be really hard when we put all this time and effort into something and see others getting fruit we feel entitled to. I have to remember often that I am not necessarily entitled to anything. Thank you for sharing!

Ashley said...

I love this post. I sometimes find myself thinking that things in life aren't fair but next time I think like that I'll try to remember your post.

gen said...

this is such a lovely post! it's true, God will never leave or forsake us. He'll be there through the mud with us, pulling us out, redeeming us.

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