Life Isn't "Fair"

So many times I hear someone say, "Life isn't fair" or "That's not fair"!

When I was teaching 4th grade a few years back, I had quite a few students that would constantly say, "That's not fair!"  I had finally had enough.  I set them all down and talked with them.  Basically my point I made very clear was that they didn't want "fair".  What's "fair" is that we pay the penalty for our OWN sin...what's "fair" is that we spend eternity in a lake of fire because that's what we deserve...THAT's what is fair.  However, God in His mercy and grace has given us a way out...Salvation through the shed blood of Jesus.  When you catch yourself thinking "that's not fair"...just remember what is "fair" and thank the Lord that He is merciful and gracious!

In college I attended Slater Baptist Church and while there the pastor gave an illustration that really stuck out to me.  He had brought all the ingredients to make a cake...flour...oil...baking soda...eggs...sugar...vanilla...etc.  He measured out each thing and poured them in a big bowl one by one...as he did he asked...who would like to eat the flour by itself (no one did of course)...who would like to eat the sugar (lots of people did)...until he had placed in all the ingredients.  He said...this is kinda how our life is.  Each thing that comes into our path is like an ingredient...some we like by themselves...some we don't.  However...once you put the "mix" into the fire (oven) the end result is something we all want...cake.  That is just like our lives.  We want God to work in our lives...we want the end result...but we aren't willing to put in all the ingredients...if we just had sugar and vanilla...what would the end result be?  NOT cake.  However...when God mixes both "good" and "bad" things in our life...and puts us "through the fire"...we get the real end result.  Something we want!
This illustration really stuck with me.  Many times in life there have been hard times...things I didn't understand or want...but I had to remember...God is using it for my good and His glory and in the end He will prevail.  So thankful for this visual reminder!

So many times we tend to focus on the negative instead of the positive...so today I'm going to share some of my "sugar" and "vanilla" -

None of these things I deserve...but God has been good and gracious to me!

1. Salvation from my sin
2. His Word
3. An eternity in heaven
4. A Christian family
5. A job
6. A bed to sleep in
7. A warm house
8. Warm clothes for winter
9. Lots of "littles" to love on
10. The ability to minister for Him
11. A church family that I love
12. Sisters
13. True Heart friends
14. A car that runs
15. Strength for each new day
16. Mercy
17. Food to eat
18. That I woke up healthy and able to face my day
19. Technology
20...and the list could go on and on and on...

Truly God's grace - unmerited favor!!

May I be thankful for the things He graciously gives me that are good...instead of focusing on my wants and desires.  May I remember to be grateful that life isn't fair!  May I constantly focus on God's mercy, compassion, grace, faithfulness, and strength!  God is good all the time!!

Maybe your life is "falling apart" right now?  Maybe you feel like you have no where to turn...you DO!  Turn to the One Who's mercy and grace are evidenced in your every day life - The God of the Bible!  He loves you!  He cares about you!  He has your best interest in mind!  He never promises you're not going to go through the valleys of life...but He does promise that you won't go through them ALONE!  Cling to Him!