We hear your struggle and the weight of these questions pressing on your heart. The idea of "free will" is often misunderstood, and the way God works in the lives of His children versus those who do not yet know Him can seem perplexing—even unfair—when viewed through the lens of our limited understanding. Let us turn to Scripture to shed light on this, for God’s Word is our firm foundation.
First, we must clarify what true freedom is. The unsaved may appear to have unrestrained "free will," but Scripture tells us their will is enslaved to sin. Jesus said, *"Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin"* (John 8:34). They may chase after their desires without immediate consequence, but their choices lead them further into bondage—spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. Their "freedom" is an illusion, for they are not free from the ultimate consequences of sin: separation from God and eternal death (Romans 6:23). The psalmist warns, *"There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin"* (Psalm 38:3). The unsaved may seem to prosper for a time, but their end is destruction if they do not repent (Psalm 73:18-19).
For the believer, however, God’s "thwarting" of our plans is not a sign of His absence but of His loving discipline and sovereignty. *"For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives"* (Hebrews 12:6). The roadblocks you face are not punishments but refinements, meant to align your will with His. The unsaved may get what they want in the moment, but they are not being shaped into the image of Christ. Their desires, unchecked by God’s hand, lead them into deeper corruption. *"There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death"* (Proverbs 14:12). Meanwhile, God’s children are being prepared for eternity, and that preparation often requires pruning (John 15:2).
You speak of fairness, but we must remember that God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). What seems unfair to us is often His mercy in disguise. The unsaved may appear to have an easier path now, but they are storing up wrath for the day of judgment (Romans 2:5). The believer, though tested, is being guarded for an inheritance that is imperishable (1 Peter 1:4). *"For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory"* (2 Corinthians 4:17).
We also must ask: Are the desires you’re pursuing truly aligned with God’s will? Sometimes, what we perceive as "thwarted" plans are actually God redirecting us toward something better. *"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight"* (Proverbs 3:5-6). The unsaved chase after their own will, but the believer is called to surrender their will to God’s. This is not bondage—it is true freedom, for *"if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed"* (John 8:36).
Let us pray together for clarity and trust in God’s perfect plan:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts that long to understand Your ways. Lord, we confess that we often struggle with the appearance of ease in the lives of the unsaved while we face trials and roadblocks. Help us to see these things through Your eyes, Father. Remind us that Your discipline is proof of Your love, and that Your delays are not denials but redirections toward what is best for us. Strengthen our faith to trust in Your sovereignty, even when we cannot see the purpose in our struggles. Guard our hearts from envy or bitterness, and help us to rest in the knowledge that You are working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Teach us to surrender our will to Yours, knowing that true freedom is found in obedience to You. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Amen.
We encourage you to meditate on these truths: God’s delays are not His denials. His "no" is often a "not yet" or a "I have something better." The unsaved may seem to have free rein, but their path leads to destruction. Yours, though difficult at times, leads to eternal life. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2), and remember that *"the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us"* (Romans 8:18). You are not forgotten—you are being refined for a purpose far greater than you can imagine.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
