When faced with difficult circumstances, I often hear people say, “Everything happens for a reason.” I can understand why we want that to be true. In the midst of relationship problems, illness, death, and disappointment we want to believe that what’s happening to us has great meaning and will ultimately work out for our good. But does this belief line up with the Word of God?

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Does Everything Happen for a Reason?

posted by Erin Davis on 04/06/10 | Twitter: @ErinGraffiti
Category: God; ; 31 comments

When faced with difficult circumstances, I often hear people say, “Everything happens for a reason.” I can understand why we want that to be true. In the midst of relationship problems, illness, death, and disappointment we want to believe that what’s happening to us has great meaning and will ultimately work out for our good. 

But does this belief line up with the Word of God? I’ve been doing some digging and I think the answer is yes and no.

To get to the bottom of this issue, we need to start out by asking, “Why do bad things happen?” It turns out, there is no simple answer. 

The sin that saturates our culture is bound to impact us negatively. Death has been a part of the equation of life ever since Eve took that bite of the forbidden fruit. Very often, we face painful circumstances simply because we live in a fallen world. 

There are also times when the going gets tough because of poor choices. Sometimes the things we do (or choose not to do) make our lives more difficult. Other times, the choices that others make impact us in ways that are painful or destructive.  

Sometimes life is tough because our world is broken and our choices aren’t perfect. That’s not the same as the idea that God brings difficult circumstances into our lives to teach us something or to accomplish a higher purpose. The idea that God is sitting in heaven controlling everything that happens in order to achieve specific outcomes, doesn’t exactly match up with the character of God we find in Scripture. So, why do so many Christians believe that’s how it works? Here’s my best guess.

1. God is in control

In Job 42:1-2 we read “ Then Job replied to the Lord: ‘ I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.’”

Daniel 4:35 says, “All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’"

Our circumstances don’t surprise Him. The Bible does tell us that nothing happens that He doesn’t allow or know about. But I’m not sure that’s the same as the notion that He causes everything.  

2.God can work it out. 

Romans 8:28 says, “ We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 

Bad things happen for a variety of reasons. Scripture doesn’t tell us that God orchestrates our circumstances with a specific outcome in mind, but it does offer us hope in the face of trials. God is able to take our troubles and redeem them. He can and will work them out for our good. 

3.Trials produce fruit. 

James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

If you’re looking for hope in the midst of tough times, cling to this promise. Difficult circumstances have the unique ability to strengthen us. Through trials we develop deeper faith, increased patience and the learned ability to persevere.  Instead of clinging to the idea that God is in heaven calling the shots in every situation, hold on to the hope that He is able to work everything out to make you more like Him. 

What do you think? 

Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

    redvacuum
    thanks
    on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 2:27 pm
    thank you so VERY much Erin.
    Brittany Lee
    Re:
    on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 2:42 pm
    Erin,

    I completely agree with you there, and it's summed up better than I could have done it!

    I think it's like there are things that have happened to me that I don't believe were part of God's will for my life, but God has taken what the enemy meant for bad and is using it for his glory. I think that applies here as well. What are your thoughts? I haven't misinterpreted what you've said have I with this situation applied? I believe I understand exactly what you're saying and It's what i believe to be true.

    Thank you Erin!

    ~Britt
    Angie Marie
    Re:
    on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 3:40 pm
    Thank you so much for this article. It comes at a time when I very much need it!
    Caty
    Sovereign God
    on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 4:35 pm
    I agree that everything happens for a reason. Our God is in control!! I also don't believe in coincidences; our all-knowing God orchestrates everything perfectly. Bad things happen and we often don't realize that God had something good in mind. So even when you are suffering remember that God sees what you are going through and He has a plan for you. Thanks for the great post Erin!! <><
    anonymous
    re
    on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 4:38 pm
    I don't think God is Heaven calling all the shots in every situation but I believe he does work everything out for good for those who love him. I think he protects us. My family have been in a lot of tough situations and I think he has kept my family from making certain choices. like something wouldn't work out or it would fall through or something and we would just move on believing he had something better in mind and that specific thing wasn't his will for our lives.
    doodlebug
    re
    on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 4:40 pm
    I don't believe God causes everything neccisarily. I believe we humans cause some of our problems. It's our sin nature. i think God can work those situations out though. i think it's still kinda a confusing matter.
    Elaina
    Perfect
    on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 4:43 pm
    This is a great post! Thanks!! I really appreciate that last verse about trials - it really encouraged me!
    I think you're dead on. When you're in charge, there is a difference between knowing about something and actually causing it (as any good babysitter knows lol). However, when you're in charge, you also have the power to do something about whatever the problem is (also something any good babysitter knows!).
    Hanna
    Re:
    on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 8:20 pm
    Well... I always thought that everything happened for a reason... so I guess now I'm confused because I thought God controlled us... I mean, I realize that we have free will and everything, but I thought everything we did had a reason in God's eyes. So I guess I would appreciate a slight explanation. Thanks.
    iViolin
    ~Thank you~
    on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 10:09 pm
    Thanks so much for this post,Erin! This is so true. I especially love the verses:

    "‘ I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.’” and

    "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

    I was involed in a bad accident last fall, and it resulted in approximately a month of recovery and dentist visits because I had cracked, chipped, an crushed my front teeth. I am so thankful for the work dentists can do! God definately taught me a lot through all of that. Now I've truly been able to empathize with induviduals who have gone through similar ordeals.

    I can say for certain that God is in control. But we can't be childish and assume that nothing bad will ever happen to us. Like you said, trials do occur, but they produce fruit.

    Thanks again for this post, and for this blog! You and the others are such blessings! :)
    monica
    to hanna and anybody
    on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 1:02 am
    hey hanna,
    you just put my thoughts it writing!. that's what I always thought too.
    Steph
    Re:
    on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 10:04 am
    "Our circumstances don’t surprise Him. The Bible does tell us that nothing happens that He doesn’t allow or know about. But I’m not sure that’s the same as the notion that He causes everything."

    This sums it up perfectly.
    Madel
    Re:
    on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 11:54 am
    If God is not in control of all things, we can have no hope. What about Christ on the cross? the most horrible "circumstance" known to man? Was His Father not in control of that?
    Job's circumstances were under God's control. Satan had to ask God's permission to torment Job.
    The sovereignty of God is one of His most comforting attributes. Yes, HORRIBLE circumstances happen to truly sincere christians. We are called to suffer in this life for His glory. Just as His Son suffered. We will NEVER UNDERSTAND all the reasons for a BELIEVER'S suffering here on earth, but we can KNOW that our sufferings are under the control of a LOVING and KIND Father who did not spare His own Son so that wicked sinners could be reconciled to Him for eternity.
    Mick
    question....
    on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 12:06 pm
    That all makes sense.. but isn't there a verse in the Bible that says "God works everything together to the good for those who love Him"?
    Erin Davis
    redvacuum
    on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 3:08 pm
    I was so happy to see your name on the blog again. I was just thinking of you the other day and wondering how you are doing. So...how are you?

    Erin
    Erin Davis
    Mick
    on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 3:09 pm
    That verse is Romans 8:28. Do you think that God working everything out to our good is the same as everything happening for a reason? I'm not sure it's the same.

    Erin
    AERO94
    Re:
    on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 7:29 pm
    Hey i just wanted to share another story about how i think that not everything necessarlly is caused by God but that it can be used for his Good I shared the story about my brother Under the first post erin had where she asked the questions but this is a differnet story

    This is the story about A 15 year old boy who deid on his 15th birthday this year.. His name was mathew (I'm not sure if i am allowed to show last names) but allot of people knew this boy him and his family: Dad=Tim Mom=sharen Three brothers 1 older and 2 younger where andrew, Joshua, And Calub and he had one older sister sarah (some of you may know him) any way there famly went from church to chruch singing (they where really good Still are) And threre dad preached they did a lot of youth things for younger children... Any way so mathew on his 15th birthday was playing Basketball and they called for a time out and all of a sudden he just clasped he was dead before he hit the floor his dad was instintly there doing cpr he never stoped untill they reached the hospital there was nothing they could do he was already gone... When i first heard it was a shock they had just been at our church liek a coupel days before ( I was on vacation so i missed them) We where the last church they waould sing at together as a family.. When i first heard i was shocked I found my self yes a little angry at God A lot confused i mean this was a GOOD kid he did more in his 15 years than most will do in there life i mean He was a good kid and then He was just gone no warning he was just gone.. Noe one knew why I was having a really hard time accepting htat i mean if THat GOood kid deid serving God why should I serve some one eho would do something like That to someone who had done so much for him.. But then i realized that God was using his death for his good that boy has accomplished more in his death then any of us will do with our lifes He deid with such a good testimony and his family was so strong during it all A few weeks later they where already singing again.. It was amazing I was at the funeral and as soon aas you steped in there was his family huggin you and smiling they knew every thing was going to be ok His funreal was the most moving thing i have ever seen You could tell The spirit of God was there i mean it was amazing now mathew will be missed greatly but He Life had meaning how many of you could say the same?? if you died today would your life make a difference?? I cant say that mine would..

    any way it turned out mathew had a unknown heart condition that was deadly that went undetected his whole life he even went to the docter to have his heart checked becauase he was having some probelms wiht dizzyness but the docters didnt find any thing and said there was nothing to wirry about... well iill aske you if you died today would your life make a difference??
    Sarah
    Re:
    on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 9:22 pm
    I've been thinking about this issue so much lately, and now this great blog post! That's definitely no coincidence! ;)

    I was talking with a very wise older woman the other day, and what she said made a lot of sense. I was trying to figure out the difference between God causing something, and Him allowing it.

    This woman said that there's two points... God ordaining, and God allowing. And...that we can't always know the difference between the two. Of course, it's awesome when we see an 'evil' turning out to be for the good! But we can't always see that.

    For instance, we see all the natural disasters around our world. Is this God ordaining or allowing? Can we know? God will never cause evil for the sake of evil. But He will punish, for He is Justice. The woman brought up that perhaps... the disasters are brought about by our sin. I guess... I don't remember what place it was..some place with a natural disaster, that there had been extreme child abuse, slavery etc. Perhaps these sins caused God to inflict just punishment. (And if that was the case, I greatly fear for America, who kill thousands of innocent children every day.) (Also take for example Sodom and Gomorra, and what would of happened to Jericho)
    I just thought that was interesting.
    Meg
    Re:
    on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 8:58 am
    i think God only puts us through stuff we can handel. like if something bad happens and u feel like u can't escape U CAN GET THROUGH IT WITH GOD'S Help he is always there hugging u crying with u.
    Kimm
    suffering
    on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 5:33 am
    I just listened to this today and was veryblessed so i thought I'd share.

    http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10522

    "God is more real, more ultimate than any problem we can be facing around us no matter how severe it may be. What we see and what we feel and what we think are not the same as what’s really going on." Nancy Leigh DeMoss
    Ann
    Erin
    on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 8:44 pm
    Erin,

    I've been thinking about these questions and something came to mind. How does your position on this fit with your strong beliefs regarding beauty? You've written a book on that subject and talked here about God creating us just how He wanted to, in detail, not making any mistakes. I have an idea of what your response may be but wanted to hear your thoughts on how the two tie, or don't tie, together.
    Erin Davis
    Ann
    on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 4:31 pm
    Hmmmm...My beliefs regarding beauty are grounded in the Bible. These posts are as well. My position on these posts is not that God does not act in our lives and certainly not that He did not create us, just that He doesn't cause everything that happens. I believe that God lovingly crafted each of us, and that He is involved in our lives because He loves us, but that He also gave us free will.

    Erin
    Last Edit: on Monday, April 12, 2010 at 10:13am by edavis  
    Redvacuum
    For Erin
    on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 8:53 pm
    Hey Erin, thanks for your note. I am doing alright. It has been a while since I last wrote on the blog but I still read frequantly. Hope all is going well for you and yor family. I appreciated this post a lot. Thanks! Love. Redvacuum
    Angela
    Does Everything Happen for a Reason
    on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 1:08 am
    If you say that everything happens for a reason - then you have to say that SIN happens for a reason. Most of the "things" people refer to when they make this statement are the bad and painful things in life. These things usually either involve sin or are the result of sin. Even sickness and death are direct relults of the Genesis fall. Scripture says that even the earth groans. 1. God is holy and cannot sin - and scripture is plain that he desires for us NOT to sin. If you believe that God is our heavenly father, our shepherd, comforter and saviour - you can't believe that he wills or desires that we suffer. Saying that everything happens for a reason - is like saying that God made someone sin or created something that is in contradiction to himself. 2. God does not remove the consequences of our personal sin and many times - does not remove us from the path and suffering caused by other peoples' sin. Does this means that he doesn;t hear our prayers or "allows" us to suffer for a reason - in order to teach us something. I think not. I believe the fact is- that there are good and evil at work in our world. I believe that for reasons beyond our human comprehension, that God sometimes miraculously intervenes on our behalf and other times our prayers seem to go unanswered. God's ultimate goal is our salvation - not necessarily our contentment or comfort. 3. I believe the absolute greatest expression of grace and victory are found in that God supplies us with what we need to navigate all of life experiences, the good and painful. That we can, despite our circumstances claim that he is GOOD and holy and just. That we know that his love for us, his word and his promises are true. The ultimate victory over suffering is found when we have witnessed his healing, mercy, and forgiveness. When we can worship and surrender to God in the midst of even life's most painful circumstances and KNOW his peace that surpasses all understanding. 4. One day - he will wipe every tear from our eyes, and we will hear him say WELCOME HOME. Until then run the race set before you - keeping your eyes on the eternal!!
    Hannah
    True
    on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 12:46 pm
    My family went through a time where my Granddaddy had a heart attack, and recoverd, then died suddenly. It was hard. People were like sorry, it must be hard, but I guess it was one of those times when God definately worked it out. I mean my Grandma had died years earlier so he was really lonely and his death enabled my dad to fix up a house on his property so that we could move. So I mean God often reveales his plan later. But it's often hard to tell.
    Veronica Hicks
    Everything happens for a reason
    on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 8:42 pm
    This is my life motto. I live by it. I believe in it with ALL of my heart. God has a plan and a purpose for EVERYTHING. If He didn't, there's no reason for me to follow him, or even to live!! I believe He ordains everything to happen, and that our free will choices are guided by Him. I even believe sin happens for a reason. It's our choice to sin, but God works out everything for a greater, grander purpose. This statement "everything happens for a reason" has brought such peace to my life, and I love it .
    Prisy
    I agree
    on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 8:19 am
    I strongly agree that everything happens for a reason. Only it's not always for the good of the people it happens to. Everything that happens, even Sin entering the world, happened for the Glory of God.
    larissa
    everything happens 4 a reason
    on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 1:34 pm
    i agree that everything happens 4 a reason. nothing in the world is an accident. some people believe that they are not on earth 4 a purpose but i truly believe that everyone is. i have had to prove this to many people in school even though im only 14. i have always believed in God because that was how i was raised and i didn't know anything else. people have come to me asking ME what my purpose is in the world and i have told them that i think that my purpose is to share God's word with others and to preach the Truth. you may or may not know what your purpose is rite away but, you do have a purpose in this world.
    Chelsie
    I agree!
    on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 11:08 am
    I agree with everything you said. God uses the difficult things in our lives to strengthen our faith and draw us closer to Him. Everything truly does happen for a reason!
    Grace
    Re:
    on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 11:16 pm
    I know it's an older post, but I couldn't help commenting on it. :D
    I've heard that everything, whether good or bad, is meant to point us to Christ.
    Somebody also told me that Rom. 8:28 means that God is working all things together for our Spiritual good.

    Just some thoughts...
    ryan williams
    Does Everything Happen for a Reason?
    on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 11:20 pm
    the reason it is hard to believe that everything happens for our good is because we are human. there are some things that we just cannot understand about how god works. all we can do is trust his godly methods. there are no accidents. why do we fall in life? so we can learn to pick ourselves up. everything that happens to us good or bad even the little things are all essential parts of our lives to help us learn and grow. everything that happens in our lives is for a reason.
    Blue
    Re:
    on Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 12:37 am
    I know this is an old post.. I was searching through the archives to find some answers. I've been wondering about this b/c of a recent, difficult situation. I still to think about this. But thank you for writing this!

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