In this life we are surrounded by examples of situations that seem anything but just. Many have found themselves in a similar line of reasoning as the following:
14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?
15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (Malachi 3)
This life is intentionally designed to provide the ideal environment for developing trust in God. Were the complete effects of every choice immediately obvious, it would be impossible to grow in trust in God of our own free will. As a result, justice is not always instantaneous in this life.
While God’s justice is not always instant, it is unavoidable. The wicked may be “...exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.” (Job 24:24) The righteous may be persecuted for a moment, but as sure as the Lord lives, they will be compensated many times over if they remain faithful.
The Lord interestingly promised that though his followers would endure extreme persecution, “there shall not an hair of your head perish”:
16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19 In your patience possess ye your souls. (Luke 21)
This is a very interesting promise, given the fact that he indicated that their persecution, at least in some cases, would include being put to death. Most people will see that as a contradiction, because if you die, surely your hair will perish! The Lord was trying to teach the principle of patience through emphasizing that we ought to have an eternal view of things. In the end all things will be paid out in justice.
The trajectory of one who seeks joy will necessarily pass through temporarily unpleasant things. There is an unavoidable purpose in this, and as you trust in God, you will adopt a long-term view of your state.
The patient realize that perspective ought to include not just the present, but the future. You will be able to acknowledge short-term affliction but be in the mindset of long-term benefit. You can face, for example, betrayal by family, friends, and even face death, and still feel that “not an hair of your head [will] perish.”
Though things are presently murky, there will be a day where those who lived long lives free of toil will wish they could trade it all for an eternity of joy, while those who were willing to temporarily live with affliction will enjoy never-ending joy.