Life is not fair.
This isn’t controversial. It’s an obvious truth that shouldn’t cause any more outrage than saying, “Water is wet,” or “Fire is hot.” But for some reason you’re unable to deal with life’s unfairness. You’re bothered by the success of others. Jealousy eats away at your happiness. You become less likable than cold sores causing people to avoid you, leading to fewer opportunities, which serves to prove that life is not fair.
Don’t ignore the disappointment that comes from realizing life is unfair. That will only allow envy to grow. When you’re filled with envy, bitterness drives every decision. Every word you speak drips with venomous bile. Optimism is impossible. Hope disappears. Life becomes torture.
There is only one way to effectively deal with life’s inequality— say, “Thank you.”
No matter how little you have, it is more than you deserve. Your life is a testimony to God’s goodness. He owes you nothing. Zero. Zilch!
Yet, He has given you everything.
Comparing what God has given you to what God has given Donald Trump, Jeff Bezos, or Bill Gates will fill you with bitter envy and snatch all traces of joy from you. You’re not wise enough to properly judge the quality of anyone else’s life. Can you guess how I know that?
Because you’re not judging the quality of YOUR OWN LIFE properly. You think fairness is not only achievable, but will also lead to fulfillment and happiness. Instead of expressing gratitude for what you’ve been given, you’re griping about what you lack. That’s silly. Since you aren’t owed anything, you don’t LACK anything. Every circumstance is a bonus.
It’s not fair to take what God gives you without saying, “Thanks!” God deserves some credit, don’t you think? If He wasn’t keeping your heart beating, you wouldn’t be able to gripe about life’s unfairness. At the very least you should praise God for enabling you to complain!
Life is not fair. Every second of every day, you benefit from God’s unfair distribution of blessings. Be grateful for that.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
– Colossians 4:2
2 Responses
As someone who deals with chronic pain on a daily basis, some days are harder than others to remember to have an attitude of gratitude. Today is one of those days. Thank you so much for the reminder. I really needed to read this to help me get my moodiness back in check and refocus on the good. “I am breathing. I am employed. I am loved. It’s a good day!”. Thanks John!
Much love to you and yours,
Brenda Erickson
(bree~) ❤️
“Life is not fair. Every second of every day, you benefit from God’s unfair distribution of blessings.”
and poor dear JB, still trying to pretend he’s better than everyone else.