What goes around comes around?

We have all said this. The question is: Is it true?  

We know that there are logical consequences to our actions, both good and bad. If I stub my toe, it will hurt. If I cut my finger, it will bleed. If I lie, I have to navigate and/or accept the repercussions. If I'm caught for tax evasion, I'll cinch my belt and work harder to pay the consequences. All of this is expected. When we don't accept the consequences, then we have to pay others. A miserable person is a person who can't take responsibility for their actions. 

A more apt cliche may be "You made your bed; now, sleep in it."

"What goes around comes around, on the other hand," is a watered down (perhaps only Americanized) version of a Buddhist principle called Karma. This principle says that anything that happens to you is because you deserve it. Such an understanding of good and bad is detrimental to our peace and really our confidence in God. We fall into it more than we may realize. 

Terrible, evil things are impossible to understand and to grasp. We'd rather heap guilt and shame upon ourselves, than accept the reality that it is impossible to understand. A young adult, recently abused, attributed the crime against her to a less than moral life lived ten years ago. A recovered alcoholic blames his present (unrelated) cancer on his reckless behavior thirty years ago. A neighbor and friend gossips about a mom ruining her reputation, a dad is fired, all because "what goes around comes around."

This, however, has no bearing in truth. One, because it is illogical (and God is supremely logical). What does my lying have to do with hitting my head? Secondly, it depends on a belief in reincarnation. Otherwise, why do innocent children suffer? Third, it presupposes that God (Who isn't actually part of Buddhist spirituality) punishes not as a source of purification, but in order to get even. Finally, it does not acknowledge that God is the supreme arbiter. 

Evil things happen, because we have free will to renounce the good. Plus, EVERYONE has free will. Even if I live a life of faith, there is no guarantee that those around me will as well. Just because I do what is right, does not mean that others will also. While I, personally, cannot say that I understand the pain of suffering at the hands of another, the Lord Jesus does. 

No Karma. Paschal Mystery. Thank God.