In the past few days, I have been discouraged. I have been struggling with a common but difficult question. It is one that we all deal with many times in our life. The question? “Why do the wicked prosper?” Job asked this question more than 4000 years ago. Jeremiah asked a similar question 2600 years ago. “Yet, I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the treacherous live at ease?” Jeremiah 12:1 (HCSB).

I think that another question is implied. Why am I not prospering like them? It is difficult to understand. We are taught from an early age that we can make our own awesome future with grit and determination. Unfortunately, doing the right thing and working hard doesn’t always bring a great future. The world drills into our heads that if you work hard, great things will follow. But we all know that often it isn’t the way things turns out.

Why do we also dream of the best and often end up with the worst? Why does it seem so offensive and upsetting when the wicked prosper and we can’t. I have learned a few things in recent days as I reflected on these things. I am sure this will bother me again someday and I will learn some more lessons, but for today these are my takeaways.

First, I prosper more than I deserve. Many who do evil prosper more. Those who cheat and steal will move ahead quickly because they are cutting the line. It seems that they are prospering while we get pushed further behind. That is frustrating, but in reality getting pushed back two or three spaces in line isn’t that much. I’m still in line and moving ahead. I have a wonderful life and God has been with me in all things. That truly is prospering.

I’m also more convinced than ever that there is a God! If there was no Higher Power and the material world is all that exists, I wouldn’t be irritated by the inequity. There is some moral and ethical rule out there that insists that good should prevail. There are rules of fairness and rightness in each person’s heart. We don’t always play by these rules, and we also push people back in the line. But it doesn’t mean there aren’t rules, and that people are supposed to play by them. I only get upset because the laws of God, that have been ingrained in my soul, are being broken.

Finally, the conflict frustrates me and I am going to be upset by it for my whole life. All people will not bend their will to God’s rule. Even those that agree that you should obey God’s law, like me, will continue to disobey at times. But I am called to action by these things that cause upset and frustration. When I see the wicked prospering, I should remember that my responsibility is to “seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness” and let him deal with the rest. I need to remember that God is in charge and He set the rules. He promises to deal with evil and reward good. I need to trust that in His time He will deal with the inequities that are upsetting me. He rewarded Job and punished those that Jeremiah complained about. He is faithful to His Word.

Psalm 37:7–11 (ESV): Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.