"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8
“It's not fair! Everyone else's parents let their kids . . .”
What parents haven’t heard those words? My husband and I certainly have—from all three kids. Our standard answer was, “Well we’re not everyone’s parents, and we’re saying ‘no’.” I’m also sure not “Everyone’s parents” were that permissive.
We didn’t say “No” because we wanted to be hateful parents. We said “No” because as responsible adults we were aware of the possible ramifications for our child. As Christians, we had a different set of standards than children from different cultures and beliefs. We also knew that in other homes or circumstances they would not be adequately supervised, and we set clear rules for what we knew was best for them.
Have you ever wanted to say to God, “It’s not fair! Everyone else can . . .?”
God wants us to live by different standards to the world. In many countries, relationships condemned by God are accepted as normal, and dating couples often live together. How does a teenager avoid those sort of temptations when “everyone else” is doing it? The only way is to instill in them Godly principles, and encourage them to “be separate”. But this doesn’t only apply to teenagers.
God doesn’t tell us to be different in order to be a spoil-sport. He wants us to live pure lives, and walk close to Him. He wants what is best for us.
OVER TO YOU: In what way do you feel God has been unfair to you? This week? This year? In your lifetime?
PRAY WITH ME: Lord, help me to trust you, even when life seems unfair. Help me to believe that you know best. Amen.
THIS WEEK: Ask God daily to show you where you need to be different to those around you.
Please visit Shirley through ShirleyCorder.com, where she encourages writers, or at RiseAndSoar.com, where she encourages those in the cancer valley. You can also meet with her on Twitter or FaceBook.
Shirl, great post! Our ideas on fairness can very much depend on our perspective. Knowing God's word and His perspective in the Bible on different issues can help us make better choices. Thanks for your encouraging and wise words.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement Narelle. Have a great weekend!
DeleteFor years I complained to God about being an only child. I really wanted siblings. I didn't think it was fair. Since then He has given me sisters in the Spirit and allowed me to garner daughters and granddaughters in His love. What began as a cry of "no fair, God" has become a "thank You" for the people you allow me to love.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you put your finger on the pulse of the problem and help us to see a way through, Shirl. Thank you for a really good post.
Thanks for your comments, Judith. I chuckled when I read them as I too spent 15 years of my life complaining that I didn't have any brothers or sisters. I even had an imaginary twin brother whom I used to play with and talk to! Then the Lord sent me a brother - yep, 15 years between us, and none in between. Like you, he has given me so many sisters and brothers in the Lord I should probably now be satisfied. But I still would love a couple more flesh-and-blood siblings . . . I know nothing's impossible with the Lord, but I think this would be a challenge given my parents are no longer available on this earth!
DeleteWe may be on opposite sides of the earth, but I always knew we had a lot in common. *grin*
DeleteYou've got it right!
DeleteSometimes it's hard to understand what God is doing, hard to understand why he sometimes says no. That's when we have to remind ourselves that He is always for us, always wants our best, always loves more deeply than we can comprehend.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Shirl. Thanks. :)
You're right, Marcia. Sometimes if we complain enough He might just give us what we've asked for, and we'll discover it wasn't such a good idea after all!
DeleteYes, not only have I wanted to but I HAVE complained, it's not fair. The older I get the less I complain though because hindsight is insight. Through trial and error God has built my trust in Him and His design for my life, not always what I want but always meant to draw me closer to Him. Good post sister. (I do not have a sister either, two brother so I adopt sisters in the Lord as I journey. God them all over the world, not I have one in Africa.
ReplyDeleteBetty, thanks for your input. It just shows, we keep complaining, not matter that we've "grown up!" (We have, right?) That is one of the rationales behind my current Thankful Thursday. I'm trying to TEACH myself to see the positive side of the "Not fair" situations! <a href="https://https://shirleycorder.com/new-year-new-tools/>New Year, New Tools. </a>
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