Our peace, even through the trials and sorrows are found only in Christ. When we look to the world for solutions we will come back disappointed and embittered. The world has nothing to offer and is probably the source of the unfairness to begin with. Note what John is saying here though. Because Christ has overcome the world we should take heart. Why? Because we now have Christ in us as born again believers. Through the Holy Spirit then we too can overcome the world and the trials it brings. But we must be still before Him and have patience. God knows the correct time. Joseph sat in prison for something he did not do for over 13 years. The woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment suffered with the issue of blood for 12 years. We live in a microwave society where we want things done yesterday. God does not operate in our time. He is above all time. Faith is knowing He has it right; even if the eventual answer to the unfairness is "no." Moses never saw the Promised Land. The unfaithful generation of Israelites died in the wilderness.
Patience is often difficult in the face of such unfair life circumstances. But God is developing your character; refining you. The Apostle Paul spoke to this:
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5: 3-5
Rejoicing in our sufferings! How can one rejoice in the face of such unfairness? Because we know that God is still in control and that this life is but a glimmer. The eternal life with God is the one that we are living for. In that life there is no suffering, body ailments, illness, disabilities, injustice, misery, or hate. Be still before God and wait patiently for His time, knowing in faith that He is in control no matter how unfair things may seem.
The second point from the key verses is that we should not worry about the prosperity of wicked people or fret about their schemes. It is an understandable human reaction in the face of unfair circumstances to compare your life with others in the world. Sometimes it must seem like you are the only person suffering as you are. That is the plot of the enemy. To get you distracted from God or even angry with God. His plan is to drive a wedge between your faith and your condition. But your condition does not define you the Holy Spirit living inside of you does:
And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4: 6-7
You are the child of God and His heir. Your inheritance is not limited to the life you now live on this earth. This is but a drop in the eternal bucket. While here we are to bring glory to His name and try to share the love of Christ with as many people as we can so that more can enjoy the same inheritance that we have. Our prosperity is in heaven. Our riches are in Christ Jesus. I know it is difficult but when we see the prosperity of the wicked in the face of our own suffering, we must remember that BOTH their prosperity and our suffering are temporal. They are both limited to this sliver of time we have on earth. Also, remember that the prosperous person without God is not really prosperous:
So don't be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave. In this life they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success. But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day. People who boast of their wealth don't understand; they will die, just like animals. Psalm 49: 16:20 (NLT)
