Referee!
England football fans are well used to trauma, and a good job too, following Sunday's disappointing defeat at the hands of Germany in the World Cup last 16 in South Africa.
As someone once famously said, it's not the despair that kills you, it's the hope.
Yes, England had stumbled through their group matches, despite facing apparently inferior opposition in one of the 'easier' groups.
But an improving win against Slovenia, following dull draws against USA and Algeria, led the optimists to expect better things.
True enough, an extra goal would have seen England top the group, opening up a more attractive route through to the latter stages.
But, inevitably, it was the old nemesis Germany who stood in the way of Fabio Capello's men, leading to much talk of penalties, and silly 'inspirational' adverts featuring Brian Blessed bellowing at us about "England and St George".
Twenty-five minutes in, and most England fans were feeling, as football terminology has it, sick as a parrot.
Germany were 2-0 up and cruising, and our boys were in for a hammering.
Then, two things happened. First, slightly unexpectedly, a header from Matthew Upson pulled it back to 2-1.
Then, crucially, a shot from Chelsea's Frank Lampard hit the bar, bounced down behind the flailing goalkeeper, and a clear yard over the line.
GOAL! Except the linesman didn't spot it, the referee didn't give it and play was waved on. Ridiculous.
Instant action replays showed it was a clear goal and England, still protesting, went in at half-time still 2-1 down.
It wasn't fair. And the result of the match could have hinged on that one wrong decision.
It didn't, as it turned out, the Germans accelerating away to win 4-1 in the second half, with some ease.
But how many times in life do you find yourself shouting at God, anyone in authority, or just thin air: "It's not fair!"
And sometimes life just isn't.
Bad things happen to good people. Innocent people suffer.
Evil and greedy people can sometimes seem to get away with appalling acts.
But Christians believe that ultimate justice belongs to God, as he is the ultimate judge.
And actually, when you come to think about it, many of the good things we receive in life are blessings we don't always deserve.
So maybe thankfulness for the good things that happen is the best attitude to have - an attitude of gratitude.
It changes the way we cope with life, and it could just point us at the goodness of God, who the Bible says loves us relentlessly.
Still wouldn't hurt to have goal-line technology in big football tournaments, mind ...
Russ Bravo is a journalist and writer who works for CPO in Worthing, and is part of St Matthew's Church, Tarring.
He also runs Matt's Comedy Club (www.youtube.com/mattscomedyclub) and gets involved in local arts, music and poetry events.
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Weather for Worthing
Wednesday 30 May 2012
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