Have you ever had any negative experiences that prompted you to ask God, “What did I do to deserve this?” Even when you are trying to do the right things in life, it can cost you so much. Why is that? Like Oscar Wilde stated, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Of course, this differs from what’s in the Bible. The Bible states, “Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 11:21). Is it possible that both quotes are true? I think so….

A divine appointment…

Many times, the decisions we make and the people we are around cause us to have different experiences. While out in the community, I usually find myself engulfed in deep conversations. It’s amazing how individuals can come into contact with one another and be vulnerable enough to open up. The conversation seems to flow so naturally, and you can bond in that very moment. It could seem so safe, and just having a moment to confide in someone makes a difference in your life. You may have always had the desire to unload those emotions that were bound up but lacked the space to do so. Those are what I consider some of the most memorable and impactful moments. These are the moments when you get that encouraging word you may need, access to resources you have been asking the Lord for, or gain a confirmation concerning thoughts you had prior to the encounter. Maybe in that moment you met someone who is supposed to be in your life for the long haul.

Not so divine…

Then, you have moments when you allow someone to be in your space who may cause you to lose the things you have worked hard for. For example, you could have worked very hard for years to get a promotion. Another coworker could ask if you would teach them the skills to do the same job in order to be more effective. With you being such a nice and giving person, you agreed to help them. Then, a week later, you learn they got the position you worked so hard for over the years. They never told you they planned to go up for the job. Devastating, right! At least, it would feel that way at the moment. Another example would be you volunteering to drop a friend off at the store to avoid them having to walk there, only for you to end up in a fender bender while exiting the parking lot. Well, these are minor examples of the saying, “No good deed goes unpunished.”

Now, let’s discuss what’s in the Bible. Proverbs 11:21 states, “Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.” It refers to people who do malicious things. In John 10:10, Jesus states that “The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy.” An example would be a family member who steals money from you just because they are upset that life has treated you well. Or your neighbor who slashes your tires because you won’t give them a ride to work. Let’s do one more… What about that co-worker who tries to get you fired because you make more money?

There are individuals who will lie, betray trust, and sow discord. In fact, 2 Timothy 3:1–5 addresses all the things we will see in the last days. Honestly, we are seeing these things today. There are people in this world who have no compassion for others and think only about themselves. If you are someone who tries to get it right, don’t allow this world nor the people in it to change you. This isn’t me telling you to allow those who mean you harm to stay or not to protect yourself from those who have ill intent towards you. You are to put on the full armor of God every day (Ephesians 6:11–18).

For what reason…

Nothing happens by accident, and everything has a purpose. God will turn evil into good (Genesis 50:20). He allows us to have experiences in order to grow. Whether it was the best experience or the worst one, He knew about it and allowed it. Those experiences either help to build your character or to grow you spiritually. They allowed you to see who you were through how you reacted and how you felt emotionally.

There is a difference…

It is up to us to identify the purpose of those who come into our lives. It may not be apparent at the very beginning, and that’s okay. God has you covered. It states in Psalm 121:7, “The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.” We just need to know the signs, so that we can also be on guard.

Keep in mind that when God sends someone, they will pull you closer towards Him and won’t bring you confusion. They will encourage you to become better, and there will be confirmation from God that He sent them. If God didn’t send them, the relationship will feel heavy, and you will experience spiritual stagnation and a lack of peace. Don’t worry! In time, their true character will show. The connection itself will lessen, if not disappear altogether. Those whom God didn’t send, He will remove. God will evict them from your life and deal with them accordingly. Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Keep in mind all things are in His time and not ours.

What did the mirror reflect?

So, did you see someone who was strong in every way? Or did you see parts of yourself that need healing? Once you can identify what you see in the mirror, you can make whatever decisions or adjustments you need. The goal is to become a better version of yourself, no matter who you encounter. If we did not have these encounters or these experiences, we could not grow nor see our growth. So, “Thank God for mirrors that reflect.”

References:

New International Version Bible. (2011). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/

King James Bible. (2025). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published in 2007)

Zondervan Bible Handbook, Revised edition by David and Pat Alexander (3rd ed.). Zondervan Pub. House, 2002.

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. C. Brand et al., eds. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003.

Kirkpatrick, Kevin (2023, June 28th). No Good Deads. Center Post Dispatch.https://www.centerpostdispatch.com/stories/no-good-deed,2345