Today was a bit surreal as I sat with a friend in the doctor’s office, awaiting the results of her biopsy. You can talk about family plans, discuss the weather, and ask how the day went. But when it’s all said and done, all you really want to know is the truth.
Life is incredibly fragile.
Any one of us could create a list of the times we didn’t get the answer we wanted. In a world filled with pain, we don’t have to go far to find someone who feels that life—and even God—has somehow been unfair. We like the kind of world where we can earn our way. After all, it’s predictable and seemingly fair. Give us something we can earn or measure, but don’t leave us with the unpredictable.
James and John felt the same way. Ironically, Jesus announced His approaching death, and they responded by vying for position (Mark 10:35-37). How like each one of us. Calamity strikes, and we clamor for control. While most of us haven’t asked the Lord for permission to be seated with Him, each one of us has faced the temptation to claim that life is “not fair,” and we have our significant list of why we (or others we love) deserve better.
Deuteronomy 32:4 reminds us, ”He is the Rock; His deeds are perfect. Everything He does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is!” Jesus’ response to James and John reminds us that the cup He drank for us has conquered any struggle we will ever face (Mark 10:38). We’re but dust, and history has proven that His faithfulness exceeds our own (Ezekiel 18:25).
Let’s remember that He’s far more than fair—He’s God.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 14:1-28
More:
Read Philippians 4:4-8 to see how we can actively pursue the heart of God when facing less than favorable circumstances.
Next:
What does it mean to respect the sovereignty of God in the midst of our questions? How does bitterness sever our access to God’s throne room?
yemiks1 on October 29, 2012 at 10:10 am
Philippians 4:4 REJOICE ALWAYS! God bless you.
regina franklin on October 29, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Dear yemiks1
Yes! “Rejoice always . . . In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess 5:16,18). “In” but not necessarily “for”–He exists above and beyond any circumstance we face.
tom felten on October 29, 2012 at 2:14 pm
This hits home, Regina, for during my battles with cancer over the past nine years I’ve seen many friends succumb to the disease while I have been able to survive its attacks each time. This can bring about some serious survivor’s guilt. But, by God’s grace, I’ve learned to grieve the loss of my friends, celebrate the beauty of their lives, and also bow in submission before a loving God who is perfect in His ways (Deuteronomy 32:4). Instead of getting lost in the “why?” questions, I choose to cling tenaciously to our good God and rest in His plans.
strngwmnnchrst on October 29, 2012 at 11:23 pm
You’re so right, Tom!!! The grace and mercy of God may seem unfair to some, but who are we to question His ways….why he allowed you to beat cancer each time and your friends to succumb….But, in the end, He knows what’s best for each and every one of us….We need only surrender to His will….fair or unfair….
tom felten on October 30, 2012 at 9:32 am
He does know what’s best, strngwmnnchrst. We simply need to follow Him in faith—even as we walk with a “limp” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
auvencetri on October 29, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Thanks this message is a blessing at the right time. Bless all of you that read this and I love you brothers.
mike wittmer on October 30, 2012 at 11:03 am
This is such transformative truth, Regina. I need to find a way to move it from my head down into my heart. It does help when I remind myself that if life was entirely fair then I would go to hell. So there’s that!
regina franklin on November 5, 2012 at 8:23 am
Dear Mike,
Yes–sometimes it is a challenge for it to permeate our being. We KNOW His truths but BELIEF becomes real when we live from what we know but cannot see. I am walking through one of those places right now. I would love to say I am doing it well, but just like we get sweaty and smelly while working out in the gym, the process of taking ownership in His promises gets a little ugly sometimes.
belleu on November 2, 2012 at 8:35 pm
I used to feel upset about the unfairness of life, but I realize God has a plan and I know whatever happens He is in it helping me to accept and giving me strength to bear it.
regina franklin on November 5, 2012 at 8:26 am
Dear Belleu,
A friend shared with me today, the words from Psalms 105:19. Yes, God has a plan, and thankfully He is real and holds us in the places where the unknown is His tool to bring forth His promises in our lives.
Blessings to you!
winn collier on November 4, 2012 at 8:51 pm
This morning in church, we sang with the Psalmist: “those who trust in the Lord are like Mt. Zion. They shall not be moved.” We’ve sung the song a number of times, but the words hit me new today.
regina franklin on November 5, 2012 at 8:27 am
They shall not be moved. Not by storms, not by medical reports, not by relational conflict, not by financial difficulty. Not by loss. Not by the unknown.
Not by anything.
Romans 8:38-39