"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:44-45)
One of the books I read when I was searching for God was “The Road Less Traveled” by Scott Peck. While I am not sure I still agree with all he says in that book, I do agree with the first three words. “Life is difficult.” Peck goes on to say that the sooner we accept that fact, the easier life becomes.
I agree.
My motto since childhood has been “It’s Not FAIR!” I said it as a child when I had to go to bed earlier than my older sister and brother. I said it as a teenager when my curfew was earlier than any of my friends. I said it to God when my husband divorced me and I did not want the divorce. I said it when my daughter died. It still escapes my lips occasionally (notice how I am able to not take credit for saying it by putting it that way???) as I think of all I wanted to do with my life.
I know the stock answer to “It’s not fair” is that life is not fair. But that has always sounded like a pat answer to shut someone up when those words appear.
Rather than simply saying life is not fair, it makes sense to agree that life is indeed difficult. Living with chronic illnesses or chronic pain, or any disability is difficult. Life events are difficult.
I look around me. Tsumai’s aren’t fair. Earthquakes aren’t fair. Hurricanes aren’t fair. My daughter dying wasn’t “fair.”
And no, chronic illness isn’t fair.
A lot of people blame God when life isn’t fair. In fact, it can be hard not to blame God. But, is God fair? Yes, I think so. We are all treated the same. Christians are not singled out for a “perfect” life. We live the same types of lives as anyone else. The difference? We have our God and His promises to run to - to cling to - and we have the hope of eternal life, without suffering, with our God.
I pray as you keep on keeping on with whatever difficulty you are facing, that you know Christ, His love, and that you grow in faith in Him. Faith-building seems to be what it is all about.
Father God, Thank you that you are there for us even when the words come from our lips that what is happening to us is not fair. Help us to look to you during these times and realize that they can be used to propel us into your arms. Amen and amen.
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