Why isn’t life fair?

Why isn’t life fair?

From our early youth, we learn a hard lesson: Life isn’t always fair. Some people are rich, while others are poor. Some people live in mansions, others in slums. Some people take extravagant vacations, while others struggle to pay bills and keep food on their table. Some people are the picture of health, while others suffer maladies. Some people are gifted athletically, while others are uncoordinated. Some people flaut the law, while the innocent are often unjustly judged. This same dichotomy caused King Solomon to write: “Under the sun, the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all” (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

Life often doesn’t seem fair because we immediately define fairness as being “equal in every way.” We confuse “fairness” with “sameness.” Yet we are not all the same. We are all God’s children, but we develop on our own, having differing physical traits, abilities, talents. Thus, this type of fairness is not the issue. Fairness is to be free from “bias, dishonesty, and injustice.” To be fair is to be just, guided by the principles of truth, reason, and justice. To outwardly treat everyone fairly no matter the circumstances.

Given this fact, the reason that life is not always fair, is because man does not always choose to be guided by truth, reason, or justice. Man sins by being selfish, greedy, and uncaring; acting in ways that ensure security and advantage for his own best interests. As a result, people around him are treated unfairly.

King David wrestled with the concept of fairness and equality by asking many of those same questions about life’s inequalities (Psalm 73:3-12). But then he entered the House of God one day and had a revelation: all earthly things are temporal. The prosperity of the wicked ceases after death and they will be judged for eternity. And those who suffered in this life will receive their reward eternally (Psalm 73:17-19).

God shines upon all of His creation; thus, God is fair. And for us to yearn towards fairness is a characteristic of godliness. To act justly and to be merciful and compassionate towards others is a God-like trait. Yet a balanced view of life necessitates an acknowledgement that “life isn’t fair,” at least not in this life.

Fr. John