When it is our turn it can be a little more difficult to be as philosophical. But what is important here is that the concept of karma has seeped into mass consciousness. Now it needs to be understood better. Karma is very simple but at the same time, it can be very hard to grasp. There are many such sayings and often the speaker will be unaware that karma is what they are talking about.
Most people think of karma as payback for deeds done in the distant past.
And I do think that our present lives are in large part connected to past lives and things that happened years ago. But there is a problem with this belief that can lead to a complacency and a fatalistic view of life. Yes, unresolved issues will continue to recur until they are dealt with properly. But our reactions to life on a moment to moment basis create an instant karma that can best be handled in the now. What we think, feel and do in the present moment creates the future.