Our Questions: God's AnswersShembull

Does everything happen for a reason?

I got married at 18. I imagined growing old with my high school sweetheart, but eight years later, I found myself a single mom with two 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 comfort me because it didn’t make sense. I believed in God but didn’t understand the meaning 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, why was He making me go through this?

I began seeking Him and reading His Word. I started attending church and 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, and the reason I went through a divorce was because of brokenness, sin, and personal choices. It was not because God planned it from the beginning. As I began understanding His Character, I discovered how Good He truly is. He said to trust Him and promised He would work all things together for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose. Yes, He allowed me to go through a trial, but He desired to take my pain and make something beautiful from it.

He has done exceedingly and abundantly more in my life than I could ever imagine. I turned my life around; I 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 thank God for how 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 and His Glory.

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