Christian

When Life Isn’t Fair

Has something very unfair happened to you? It might be an unfaithful spouse, slander/ lies, you lost your job,  or anything you consider completely UNFAIR). You probably can’t believe it’s really happening to you. If your answer is yes, this is God’s promise for you:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him …” Romans 8:28 NIV

You might be thinking, “Nothing good could come from this!” But hang on….

This is one of my favorite promises. Believing the promise got me through many hard times in my life, and in the end God delivered. He worked things for good. God has done this in my life and He will do it for you!

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4

While reading my Bible, I was struck by this verse. I couldn’t get it out of my mind. I began to think about the story of Joseph and how there was so much to learn from his example.

Joseph was a young man who loved God, but that didn’t matter to those who hated him. They were driven by jealousy.

Because of this jealousy, the young man suffered through many great injustices. Instead of becoming bitter and vindictive, he looked to God for help. 

Let me tell you the end of the story. In Genesis 50: 20-21, Joseph said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good …” Stop and think about that for a minute!

Has someone done something to you with the intention to harm you? Remember: It isn’t over until God turns it around for good!

Insights from the life of Joseph have helped me through many trials. As I summarize, put yourself in Joseph’s place. Think about it happening to you.

Joseph’s brothers hated him, really hated him! They were so jealous of him, they plotted to kill him and and then tell their father that he was killed by a wild animal.

One of the brothers talked the others into just leaving him in an empty well. (He planned to secretly come back and rescue Joseph.) But the brothers saw a caravan of merchants approaching and decided to sell Joseph to them.

The merchants traveled to Egypt and sold Joseph to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. (Can things get worse?) Yes!

Potiphar put Joseph in prison for tying to rape his wife (something he didn’t do). After languishing in this dungeon for years, Joseph finally got out of prison. This is where things get better. Joseph was promoted to the highest position in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.

When Joseph was sold by his brothers, he was 17. When he became leader over all of Egypt, he was 30. Thirteen years of unfair life events! But the Bible says that when he was sold to Potiphar, “The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered…” Genesis 39:2

When Joseph was put in prison, “the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” Genesis 39: 21 & 23 

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him …” Romans 8:28 NIV

God will work everything for good in your life “if you love him”. It doesn’t say “if you have been a pretty good Christian and always went to church. It says, “if you love him.” It doesn’t say “if you have never sinned”. It says “if you love him”. It doesn’t say “if you deserve it”. It says, IF YOU LOVE HIM”.

If you are a Christian and you love God, He will work all things for good! Trust Him.

 A PRAYER

Father in Heaven, Your word promises that in all things, you will work for the good of those who love you. I love you Lord, and surrender my life to you, for You, O God, are my refuge and my shield, I have put my hope in your word. Those who know your name trust in you, for you have never forsaken those who seek you. I trust in your unfailing love. I love you, O Lord, my strength. You are my rock and my fortress, my deliverer! To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul, in you I trust. O Lord, you are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. How priceless is your unfailing love. I will not fear, for you are with me. Thank you, Lord, for your precious word, for your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I love you, O Lord, my Savior and my Strength. Amen

(Inspired from the Psalms – Through the Psalms, we learn how to praise Him. It will lead us into His presence. )

Read all about Joseph in Genesis chapters 37-50

 There is so much more to learn! God will speak encouragement to your heart. 

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

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12 thoughts on “When Life Isn’t Fair”

  1. Cindy, I always seem to find myself correcting people who just glibly say “All things work together for good,” too. God’s love may be unconditional, but His promises have conditions.
    I do like the way it adds “Who are called according to his purpose.” That tells me that what happens to the unbelieving people I am praying for can be working together to draw them to Him, even if they don’t love Him – yet. 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’ve been through some tough experiences in my life, things I couldn’t understand why God let it happen. Sometimes it has taken years before I saw good come from it. But I know He does work things together for good and He has done it for me many times. Maybe someday I’ll write about some of those experiences.

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