Many times in life things happen that we don’t understand, and we may wonder why. This is particularly difficult if we were of the mindset that this life is supposed to be fair and just, for it is not. Things can be further complicated if we erroneously think that faithfulness to Christ is a guarantee of blessing and reward in this life. God does exalt the humble, but only at the proper, or due, time (1 Peter 5:6), which could well be in the life to come when rewards and honor will endure forever. But if we were expecting God to reward us now or if we thought that God should make all things work out fairly in the present, we might find ourselves struggling if and when things collapse out from under us.
First, we as Christians must understand and accept the reality that the rain falls on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). In this life, sometimes the wicked prosper, and other times the righteous reign victorious. Sometimes evil people get away with things, and the righteous are unduly condemned. In this world, we experience trouble as Christ predicted we would (John 16:33). Our hope is that He has overcome this world, which means in part that He will render to each according to His deeds (Romans 2:6). He will settle all accounts, avenge all wrongs, and make all things fair and just. But in the meantime, things will be out of balance, unfair, and unjust.
Secondly, we must by faith trust that God hasn’t forgotten us or betrayed us as if He is giving somebody else preferential treatment or answering their requests and not ours. God knows what He is doing, and He shows no partiality (Romans 2:11). God cares for all of His children equally and perfectly. Thus, we must never conclude that God has forsaken us or betrayed us, for He has promised to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Thirdly, we must accept the fact that, though God understands all things, we don’t understand everything. But we have something that is of a surpassing value to understanding, and that is the peace of God. Paul says in Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” After we have given our petitions to God and offered Him thanks, we must rest in Him, being anxious no longer because He cares for us. God promises to give us His peace which will guard our hearts and minds so that we don’t have to despair, doubt, or give into temptation. If we doubt or continue in worry and despair, it is likely because we are trying to be the ones to ultimately solve our problems. Though there is a role for us to play, ultimately we must trust ourselves to the hands of God. We must let His peace guard our hearts and minds, which it is fully able to do because it surpasses all comprehension.