At my last church, I did a milestone for 2nd graders called “Life’s Not Fair” because for 2nd graders, life is not fair. Why did my sibling get to go to that movie and I didn’t? Why did you give the girls a lollipop and not us guys? During this milestone class, I talked with these 2nd graders and their parents/homes about why life isn’t fair and how God promises us that God is with us even in the unfairness. If life was fair, would Jesus have had to have been crucified? I don’t think so.
As I look back over my life, I can think of many times when I uttered the words “That’s not fair.” And I am pretty sure that you all have had times in your life when you have said those words too. And to this day there are times I still find myself saying but that’s not fair.
It’s not fair that mental illness is part of our journey! It’s not fair that Mom had a nervous breakdown!
It’s not fair that I didn’t say anything about it until I was 18 years old because of the stigma associated with the illness! It’s not fair that our parents divorced! It’s not fair that my sister and I had to become legal guardians in our twentys. It’s not fair that Mom had to move into a nursing home at a young age! It’s simply not fair!
Yes, it may not be fair! But the truth is that God is with me….with all of us in the unfairness of life. God calls us to bring all of our laments to him. When life hands us situations and brokeness, God promises that God will never leave or forsake us. Or in the words I posted in yesterday’s post, we are both broken and loved….and that my friends is enough. God loves us despite the unfairness; loves us despite our own brokeness.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’–
2nd Corinthians 12:9
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”–
Psalm 73: 26
I love Psalm 73:26. As much as I repeat "life is not fair" I need to remember it that much more for me and that no matter what God has his plan for me. Thank you for sharing.
It's so easy to fall into that mindset!
It's hard to avoid getting sucked into the attitude of "woe is me". I've found myself there too often. Psalm 73:26 is one of my favorites.
Every time I hear someone say, "It's not fair!" I am reminded of something a friend of mine from college told me. I'd had a really bad day (and was struggling — surprise surprise — with depression) and was complaining to him how unfair something was that had just happened to me. He told me that something his grandmother had always told him was, "Life is not always fair, but God is always good." I'll admit, I was a bit annoyed at the time because it felt like he was brushing off my frustration, but it stuck with me and has, through the years, helped me feel a little less frustrated when life isn't so fair. It's not always easy to tell myself, but it helps when I can. God bless you, my friend!