I hear it from my kids all the time…”Mom, it’s not fair!”

Sometimes I think it or say it.

The nicest person you know is diagnosed with a terminal illness…it’s not fair.

The most devoted mother is tragically killed in a car accident...it’s not fair.

The hurricane batters a town still recovering from the last one…it’s not fair.

Unless you have buried your head in the sand, you know all too well life can seem unfair. Why me? Why her? It’s not fair.

But then we break out the eternal measuring stick.

Jesus

He was born a baby in a manger…it’s not fair. He should have had the best room in the house, not a smelly barn full of animals.

He was accused, betrayed, beaten, and hung on a cross…it’s not fair. He didn’t do anything wrong.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

Sometimes it feels like the “bad” people get away with things…it’s not fair! But the Bible says otherwise.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. Matthew 12:36 ESV

Things on earth will never be perfect. This is earth, not heaven. But it is reassuring to know one day, all of our “it’s not fair” feelings will melt away.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 ESV

When things seem unfair, remember Jesus died for us, to carry the weight of our sin, even though He was perfect. Like most things, this is easy to believe when life is smooth. But when trouble comes and things get rocky, it will take a very firm foundation, built on knowing God and reading His word, to put things into perspective and keep the “it’s not fair” mindset from taking over.

Sometimes I picture God up there looking down on us, crossing our arms and stomping our feet, anxiously pacing back and forth because we don’t think something is fair. He can see, know, and hear all things. While we see one beach, He sees the whole ocean. We see one starry sky, He sees the whole galaxy. Yet we think we know better!

‘Ah, Lord God ! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17 ESV

…and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Revelation 1:18 ESV

So rest easy today. God is in control. God is fair. God loves you.