Does everything happen for a reason?

I got married at 18. I imagined growing old with my high school sweetheart, but 8 years later found myself a single mom with 2 little boys. Well-meaning people would try to comfort me by saying “Everything happens for a reason.” Their intent was sweet, but that didn’t bring me comfort because it didn’t make sense. I believed in God, but I didn’t understand the idea of having a relationship with Him. I could not wrap my head around the idea that a loving God would plan for me to get a divorce. That a kind God would plan for me to suffer. I wondered if I was just a pawn in some game. If everything happened for a reason, then what was the reason He was making me go through this?

I began seeking Him & reading His Word. I started attending church & learning about my Savior. Do you know what I discovered? We live in a broken world. We live in a world where people sin because they have free will. We get to make our own choices, & the reason I went through a divorce was because of brokenness, sin, & personal choices. It was not because God planned it from the beginning. As I began to understand His character, I discovered how good He truly is. He said to trust Him & promised He would work all things together for the good of those who love Him & who are called according to His purpose. Yes, He allowed me to go through a trial, but He desired to take my pain & make something beautiful from it.

He has done exceedingly & abundantly more in my life than I could ever imagine. I turned my life around; I really started living for Him. I grew deeper in my relationship with Him. Today I have the most amazing husband, who faithfully leads our family. Every day I wake up & thank God for the ways He has blessed me. That doesn’t mean I don’t go through trials, I do, but I have no doubt He is working all things together for my good & His glory.

You might be facing a trial right now. You might be blaming God or questioning His love. I want to assure you God is not scheming to hurt you. He loves you deeply, more than you can imagine. He has a plan & purpose for your life. Seek Him in all that you do & begin putting your trust in Him. I promise He will work things together for your good.