It starts when we are young, usually with brothers and sisters. We see that Susie’s toy is bigger. Johnny pushes to the front so he can always be first. Janie puts extra sprinkles on her ice cream. When we grumble about these injustices to our parents, they encourage all of us to take turns, share the toys, and give an equal amount of sprinkles to everyone. They want us to learn to play fair and be fair.
As we grow up the majority of us strive to be fair. There is nothing wrong with that. However it doesn’t take long to learn life is not fair. It’s not fair when we study non-stop to maintain a B average but the guy who plays video games all day long makes all A’s. It’s not fair when we work harder than the guy sitting next to us but he gets the promotion. It’s not fair when we do all the work and someone else takes the credit. Life is not fair.
If life were fair we would all have the same gifts and talents, but we don’t. If life were fair we would all be rich, beautiful, and healthy, but we aren’t. While it’s true some people have worked hard for these things, others have just lucked out. Some people are born with tremendous advantages; some are born with overwhelming disadvantages. Is that fair?
No it’s not, but that’s the way it is. Solomon told us long ago that life is not fair. He explained that the fastest runner does not always win the race; the strongest soldier does not always win the battle; wise people don’t always get the food; smart people don’t always get the wealth; educated people don’t always get the praise they deserve. Unfortunately, bad things can happen to anyone! (Ecclesiastes 9:11)
Life is not fair. Life is not easy. So what can we do about it? We can grumble, blame others, become bitter, stay depressed, and be miserable. Those are viable options but won’t make a person’s situation any better.
Solomon also tells us in Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” This tells me that although life is not fair we still have choices. We can put our energy into making the best of bad situations, trying to improve our circumstances, and striving to go forward. We can either be bitter or better. We can stay angry or have peace. Problems are a given in life, but misery is optional.
The only way to have this peace is to focus on Jesus. Was it fair for Paul to have all sorts of difficulties when he was doing God’s work? I don’t think so. Yet, he chose the higher ground. Instead of grumbling he said, “We are hard pressed but not crushed. We are perplexed but not in despair. We are persecuted but not forsaken. We are struck down but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-12) He just picked himself up and went about his heavenly Father’s business.
Is life fair? No! Life is not fair but how we deal with it can make a big difference in how we fare in life.
