“That’s not fair!” Everyone from the age of 3 to 103 has probably voiced this “obvious truth” at some point in their life. Life seems to be going along fine in your world and all of a sudden you get this epiphany. Not everything is fair! Wow! This upsets your world like a hurricane. Why didn’t I get the promotion? Why is my marriage failing? Why are my kids freaking out? I need a new car. Why did they get one? Any bells ringing yet? I know my alarm is sounding. All seemed ok until THIS! Whatever “this” is in your life, don’t feel isolated. We all have these setbacks. If God didn’t let any sort of adversity come into your life, you wouldn’t have a chance to grow and learn. Maturity would not be an option. Imagine how shallow we would be. He wants us to come to Him and let Him train us in His ways. Life’s not always fair my friends, but it is fulfilling if we run to Him during trials instead of from Him. 

The Bible gives many examples of life being “unfair” but one story in particular sticks out to me. Job was an upright man with impeccable integrity. He was also a very wealthy man. But His love and respect for the Lord are to be celebrated. Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” (‭Job‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ NLT) God literally said this about Job. Talk about a divine complement. I can’t even fathom! But we see this conversation taking place that ultimately ends up with the enemy hurling everything you can imagine at Job. He lost money, animals, property and even his children. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” (‭Job‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ NLT) Job certainly had the right perspective of who his God was. He understood that nothing he had belonged to him anyway. He knew everything belonged to God. I’m not so sure I would have remained that faithful. But God knew how it would ultimately turn out in the end. Job would be restored with his integrity still intact. God knew this beforehand or it would not even have been allowed to happen. God knows exactly how much each individual can handle. So, what was all of this about? It certainly didn’t seem fair. But God never left Job alone. He kept watch on this situation at all times. There were obviously areas that God wanted to show up mightily during this affliction. God stretched Job even further in his faith and understanding of who God is during this season. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. (‭Job‬ ‭38‬:‭4‬ NLT) God challenged Job with this. He was showing him that no matter how upright Job was, his humanness was no match for the infinite wisdom of the Almighty. God has a plan and our limited understanding will not get in the way of His purposes. Remember, our goal is to be comfortable. God’s goal is for us to be like Jesus. 

You may be in a season of testing right now and you’re not happy about it. I can say from experience, God is certainly more concerned about our character than our comfort. He has you in the palm of His hand if you belong to Him. Nothing will happen to you but He will allow things of His choosing to happen in you. No matter how “good” you try to be to avoid valleys, they’re coming anyway. In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭45‬ NLT) This shows that all of humanity goes through good times and tough times. But the ones who go through the tough times without Him are in trouble. They have to handle adversity with their own strength. This is devastating. They’re not being strengthened in their faith. They’re probably becoming overwhelmed and bitter. We, like Job, have to remember that we’re created beings. We’re not the Creator. This is not our world and our plans are not top priority. This earth belongs to God and He alone calls the shots. But isn’t it amazing that this very One wants to have a relationship with us to be with us in times of affliction? He knows what it takes to come out victorious. He wants to take you to the finish line!

Jesus knows we have a real enemy out there. He knows the enemy has plans to harm us. Don’t be caught out from under the umbrella of God’s protection to fight evil alone. God wants to be with you every step of the way during trials, teaching you His ways. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ NLT) Not some things! Everything! He will work it out if you give Him the reins. 

So, what is fair? If we know even the hard times will work out for our good, what do we have to fear? Just because He doesn’t give us all the details doesn’t mean we don’t trust Him to carry out His good plans. God will be true to His Word no matter what. Failure is not the outcome. He IS the ultimate victory and the ultimate prize. He wants us to be like Him. Everything we will ever face is designed to make that happen. So I ask you – are we able in our human state to determine what exactly is fair?

Today’s guest writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.