Does Everything Really Happen For A Reason?

[GreatBeliever]

I’ve been thinking about this for a while because I hear it so much and it got me really wondering if everything truly happens for reason. Because in some ways it seems like the idea of God planning all these events in our life would go against the idea of free will.

For example I’m walking down the street and I get mugged and badly beaten. My friend says “everything happens for a reason.” And I get the point that maybe something good comes of it, but to say it happens for a reason would indicate God planned this. So if God planned on me getting mugged then that means He somehow made or at least influenced the mugger into doing this. So did He take someone who wanted to commit this crime and put us both in line for this?

This is only one example, and just one I quickly made-up. But it makes me think twice about that saying and if it is in-line with God’s plan or if its divergent. Then it makes me wonder about God’s plan, just how involved is He? How much of our lives just happens and how much does he influence? Any thoughts on this?

 

[Scoobyshme]

I’ve been thinking about this for a while because I hear it so much and it got me really wondering if everything truly happens for reason. Because in some ways it seems like the idea of God planning all these events in our life would go against the idea of free will.

For example I’m walking down the street and I get mugged and badly beaten. My friend says “everything happens for a reason.” And I get the point that maybe something good comes of it, but to say it happens for a reason would indicate God planned this. So if God planned on me getting mugged then that means He somehow made or at least influenced the mugger into doing this. So did He take someone who wanted to commit this crime and put us both in line for this?

This is only one example, and just one I quickly made-up. But it makes me think twice about that saying and if it is in-line with God’s plan or if its divergent. Then it makes me wonder about God’s plan, just how involved is He? How much of our lives just happens and how much does he influence? Any thoughts on this?

Let’s say it this way, perhaps. Nothing happens without God’s permission. Some things He “causes” to happen. Some things He “allows” to happen. But nothing happens without His permission.

Keep in mind that God does not live moment to moment in time like we do. He is simultaneously present in the past, present, and future. So, He does not “foresee” the future, but “sees” the future as you and I see the present moment. He is “there.” He already knows our final destination (heaven or hell) because He “sees” us there.

But in case the thought comes to mind, this does not affect our free will in any way.

 

[LoyalViews]

And never forget that God allows bad to happen, so he can heed more Good.

What is the sense of no bad happening, but having goodness. The bad that happened makes the good even better. (Complicated, no)

 

[Tomster]

There is a divine thought concealed in every being and in every event; to search for and discover it is the privilege of the human mind. This divine thought, which is revealed in the creature’s outward form and in states of being and activities, constitutes its very essence.

Upon this fact is founded our faith in Providence in which we trust every condition of life, and which gives us hope and peace of mind in all situations and circumstances. Christ speaks of it in these words: “Therefore I say to you do not be anxious for your life, what you shall eat; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. . . . Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:25-34).

 

[SamDC]

For example I’m walking down the street and I get mugged and badly beaten. My friend says “everything happens for a reason.” And I get the point that maybe something good comes of it, but to say it happens for a reason would indicate God planned this. So if God planned on me getting mugged then that means He somehow made or at least influenced the mugger into doing this. So did He take someone who wanted to commit this crime and put us both in line for this?

You are focusing this story on you…Lets change this over and look at it the other way round…What if God is using you to test the mugger…In this story the mugger seems to be the one who is in need of God’s forgiveness more than you

And another important thing here is if after you make it through all this, are you blaming God for what happened or are you still glorifying his name and saying I trust you no matter what comes.

I believe God gives free will to each person but he has different ways to draw each person closer to him.