"Is My Life Really Fair?" Let’s Learn from Job!

Sometimes life feels unfair. Other people’s lives seem beautiful and happy. Meanwhile, our own lives seem far from what we hoped for. 

Some people are able to accept and adapt to the reality of life that is unfair. Others are not. They need more time to reflect and try to understand the course of their lives. That is what I once experienced.

When Life Feels Unfair

Even though I hold a degree in Interior Design, my work is far from what I studied. Because I had to help my parents, I had no choice but to join the family business. There were times when I felt tired, sad, and hopeless while doing that work. 

On top of that, as the youngest child, I was given the responsibility of caring for my mother. At that time she was already old and her health was declining, so I needed to accompany her for treatment every month. At one point I felt, “Life is already hard, why do I still have to take care of my parent?”

After getting married, I opened my own shop in a traditional market. My shop was small, the size of a boarding room. Worse still, the market was not busy yet, meaning customers rarely came. It felt like my patience was being tested while selling in that market.

As a result, I felt that life was unfair. It was because what I received was not equal to the sacrifices I had made all this time. 

I was once tempted to linger in sadness, and wanted to feel sorry for myself. I felt like stopping showing love to my family and parents. That was when I looked at myself and asked, “Are my thoughts in line with the Father’s will? Is that attitude right in God’s sight?”

Yet I am grateful that I was able to overcome those thoughts. It was because I decided to lay down my selfishness and replace it with the attitude of heart that God desires.

Responding to Life Like Job

Honestly, it is not easy to accept it when life feels unfair. It feels easier to vent all my frustration.

Then I found the story of Job. Job’s attitude and character helped me see life in a different way. How?

1. Do Not Blame God

Job’s life was full of trials. From being immensely wealthy like a sultan, in the blink of an eye he became afflicted. Then his children died in an instant. He was helpless and fell into poverty.

Job could have felt that God was unfair, and become bitter. But Job did not become like that. Let us look at Job 1:20-21,

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; then he fell to the ground and worshiped, saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.

From the verse above, Job chose not to blame God in this life. Whatever happened, he still trusted God, and even praised His name. Fair or unfair, he still trusted God.

The hardships of life must not keep us from seeing that God is almighty. He surely has a more beautiful plan for you in time to come. Even at your lowest point, are you willing to keep trusting Him?

2. Keep Living a Holy and Upright Life

When we feel life is unfair, the temptation to sin is certainly lurking. Just imagine, when income drops, when hard work shows no results, is it easy to be grateful and rejoice? That is when sin can easily slip into our lives. 

That is what happened when Job had just been struck by hardship. His wife said, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse your God and die (Ay. 1:9)!“

But Job answered like this, But Job answered her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks! Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive trouble?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips (Ay. 1:10).

Job did not sin in his suffering. Even though he was so tempted, he succeeded in keeping his heart pure.  

Keeping ourselves holy is very important, especially in hard times. By continuing to strive to live holy lives, we can think more clearly as we face life’s challenges. And God will be glorified. 

3. Express Your Deepest Feelings to God

Sometimes, we are afraid to be honest with God. It may be because we doubt whether God wants to listen or cares about our feelings. But the good news is, God listens to us. Even when we are sad, afraid, worried, or hopeless.

Job 7:20, If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O Watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I have become a burden to myself?

In his distress, Job cried out and expressed his feelings to God. He did not hesitate to pour out all his complaints, because he believed that God would hear.

If you feel crushed by problems, try expressing them to God. Believe that He will listen and strengthen you.

4. Receive Support from Spiritual Friends

Job 8:5-6, But if you seek God, and plead for mercy from the Almighty, 

If you are pure and upright, surely He will rise up for you and restore the home that is rightfully yours.

The verse above is advice from Bildad, Job’s friend. He reminded Job to keep holding fast to God. He reminded Job to trust that God will defend the one whose life is upright.

The advice and support of spiritual friends will greatly help you get through times of struggle. Spiritual friends are a place for you to pour out your anxiety, while also finding strength. Therefore, it is very important to have a community and spiritual friends who are ready to help and support you. 

God’s Plan Behind It All 

Problems, challenges, and life’s difficulties can make it seem as though life is truly unfair. Even so, we must not forget God and His power. He is weaving a beautiful work that will one day be seen.

Therefore, let us keep trusting and holding on to Him. Difficult times are precisely the times that grow our faith. I believe that in due time we will see God’s beautiful plan.

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Related Articles:

• Is God Fair?
• 6 Ways to Find Happiness in Life
• Why, What, and How to Be Grateful?
• When My Plan Is Not God’s Plan
• Psalm 91: If God Protects, Why Do Disasters Still Happen?

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