When you find yourself in a prolonged spell of hardship or sorrow in life, stop cursing your luck and asking ‘Why me’? Instead, examine your deeds of the past and ask yourself whether you have knowingly and wantonly troubled or hurt someone by your actions or words. And if you have, confess, at least to yourself and atone, and if possible, make it up to that person one way or the other.
These days, God (or Karma or whatever you believe in) has a super computer too and is able to dish out reward and punishment quickly. There is no waiting period any more, no next birth business. Backlogs are also being cleared fast, so even if your sins were committed long back, don’t forget them, for your number is coming up. There is no Statute of Limitations on sin.
Atonement is the only way to say sorry, to yourself, to that person and to God. And pray, pray that you are forgiven.
Of course, you can avoid all the misery at the outset by being honest and fair and kind in your treatment of others.
But all these are your choices. Unfortunately, the choices are not.