Have you ever looked at someone who seemed to have it so easy, and envied them? Maybe you didn't exactly covet their precise situation, but maybe you compared how easy things seemed to come together for them to how hard it appeared to be for you. I'm guessing here, but I imagine we all do that.
A child from an abusive background might look at children with loving parents and wonder why those children have it so much easier. Someone who struggled academically may wonder why others breeze through schoolwork. Those who have trouble finding work may wonder why some just seem to stumble into professional success. Those "unlucky in love" may wonder what they're doing wrong when they see others marrying their first-ever sweetheart.
There are many other examples. Insert your own struggle. We have struggled with infertility, and are now adopting a precious little boy. The process is far from over, though, and we need continued prayer as all the legal proceedings go through. In the hardest moments, it was easy to look at people who just seemed to have children without a hitch, and wonder Why not us? We never coveted their children or wished they were ours. We just wanted it to work out for us too. Sometimes, irrational is it seems, it was easy to wonder if God liked them better than us. This is totally unbiblical thinking, but it is easy to fall into at desperate moments.
I don't know exactly why things seem to work out better for one person than for someone else, but I do know it isn't true across the board. By that, I mean, while someone may have it easier than me in one area, it doesn't mean every aspect of their life is 100% easier than mine. There might be things that are easier for me that I'm just not taking notice of. No one's life is simple and perfect. Sin came into the world in Genesis 3, and brought everything down with it. Weeds grow with flowers. Illness comes with health. Hurt with joy. Romans 8:22 says, For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. All of creation is crying for the redemption that is coming! It is okay to cry for the hard things! But this passage is so encouraging, because, a few verses earlier, it says, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Life isn't fair. That's something we are told from a young age, and it is the truth. Life doesn't level out and become equal. If we were to tally up all the difficulties we've faced and compare them with everyone else on the planet, it would surely not be an equal list of difficulties for everyone. But it would reveal that no one's life is smooth sailing. Life is hard. It can be joyful and wonderful, but it is hard work too. For everyone.
I used to look at people who didn't have the same hardship as me, and thought they had it easy. But I was wrong. No one has it easy. Life hurts. Not only that, but I didn't know the other person's whole story. Maybe they had a whole battle in getting to where they are, and I just didn't know it. As Christians, we have a job to do in this sin-sick world full of hurting people. We carry the light of Jesus. Matthew 5:14 says, You are the light of the world... We are to shine for Christ so the world can see Him through their pain.
Returning to Romans 8, I am deeply encouraged by verse 24, For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? In God, we always have hope, both for this life, and for eternity. We don't see it, but we believe, because God has promised. That's what faith is. God always has a plan for us. He is working for our good (Romans 8:28).
So what can we do? First, show compassion for those who are broken and suffering. It could be someone with a serious disease or going through something very obvious, or it could be the person who sits in the pew in front of you at church who always acts cheerful, but has a burning hearts desire that hasn't come true yet. Always show compassion and kindness. Second, don't take anything for granted. Recognize how blessed you are. There are people waiting and longing for what God has given you. Thank God for your spouse, children, job, home, etc. People who have to wait and suffer a little tend to be very grateful for what they get when it finally comes. If any of that came easily for you, recognize that as a gift. Thank God for your blessings. Third, share your testimony. It would probably really encourage other to hear how God came through for you in your difficult times. ...who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (Second Corinthians 1:4).
Finally, do what Jesus said, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)
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