“That’s not fair!”, my son blurted out as I made an umpire call during a family baseball game.  As I pulled him aside I defended my decision by saying with authority, “It doesn’t matter what you think; I’m the boss and I make the calls.”

Even as I write this account I am reminded how arrogant my heart can be toward my children when my authority is brought into question. I am not excusing my son’s reaction to my decision, but I want to take the time to examine what was going on in both of us at the heart level.

I believe that if we look at this theologically, we see that our reaction to life circumstances reveals what we think about God. Have you ever felt like God isn’t “fair”? We’re all tempted to regularly interpret life in this way. In Romans 8:28 we are reminded of the well known words of the Apostle Paul: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” While things don’t always go the way we think they should, God is always at work on behalf of His people for our good and his glory. God is holy and just, as He most profoundly demonstrated by sending His Son to receive the punishment we “fairly” earned. We did not receive what we undoubtedly deserved! Instead, Christ took the punishment for our sins upon Himself and we are forgiven. Is this fair? Thank God, No. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love, made us alive with Him through the life, death and resurrection of His very Son, Christ Jesus.

The next time you are tempted to charge God with, “That’s not fair!”, remember the Cross.  In every circumstance remember that God has ordained each moment for our good and for His glory.  Let’s respond to our good Heavenly Father with thankfulness and joy.  ”Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2)

Because of sin life is hard; but God is sovereign and God is good!

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