Everything happens for a reason

Daniel_2021

Hi,
I just wondered what people's opinions are regarding the above statement.
For me I hate it. If everything happened for a reason why would loved ones die in pain, people have awful health conditions and such sad things happen in the world - what is the "reason" behind it. I find it an over simplistic almost uncaring statement at times.
This is only my opinion, some people may have the complete opposite view or experience. It'd be great to hear and respect as many views as possible, who knows I may even change my view.
Thanks,
Daniel 

Cress

I've always thought of this as a kind of comfort blanket for those who have a belief in a higher power as it were.

Myself I have no such belief and think poop happens. 

L_Volunteer

Hi @Daniel_2021

Thanks for your post. I can see that you have already received some great responses from @Username_removed and @Cress. What a thought-provoking post! I am someone who generally tends to agree with the statement that everything happens for a reason. I use it to celebrate the good, accept rejections and keep looking beyond the here and now when times are tough. However, I am also very much of the view that sometimes bad things do happen to good people and there is no reason for it. I hope this helps 

leeCal

Everything does happen for a reason, that is cause and effect, very simple. 

What some people interpret that statement to mean however is that everything happens for some divine reason, ie deemed by God, or the gods depending on your religious belief. I won £5.40 the other day on the lottery, the cause was that I bought a ticket, why didn’t I win big? Wrong numbers. 

Some of my my family members have died over the years, the reason ...illnesses. Cause and effect. Again, I have a son born with cerebral palsy and someone had the cheek to tell him it was due to his bad behaviour in a past life! Can you believe that! No! It was caused by a lack of oxygen during birth which in turn was cause by, on this occasion, bad nursing! 

I actually do believe in God and am religious to some extent but I don’t believe God micro manages every minute of my day, nor do I blame Him for the deaths of my family members, they were ill and prayers didn’t stop them from dying. My views are complex and a little confused I’ll admit but it seems to me that simple cause and effect is in charge in this world and relying on anything else is a folly.

leeCal

Further cause and effect from Vatican news.

India: more than 400 priests and nuns have died of Covid-19

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-05/india-church-priests-nuns-deaths-covid19.html

Cress

Some of my my family members have died over the years, the reason ...illnesses. Cause and effect. Again, I have a son born with cerebral palsy and someone had the cheek to tell him it was due to his bad behaviour in a past life! Can you believe that! No! It was caused by a lack of oxygen during birth which in turn was cause by, on this occasion, bad nursing! 

Like the despicable Glen Hoddle….

Daniel_2021

Hi @leeCal,
Your response was really interesting, amazingly logical and very measured given the health issues your son has sadly faced. I guess you could have potentially been a person who takes exception to that comment however you've applied some rational to the situation. I'll be honest I don't always have that ability hence my dislike of the phrase. You have, however given me a complete new angle to look at it with.
In terms of people saying that people deserve things for a previous life it's insensitive in the extreme and down right offensive. 
Thanks,
Daniel 

Daniel_2021

Hi @L_Volunteer,
A really kind member of the site sent me a message recommending a site that has courses on, one of which being a beginners course in creating a journal and self reflection.
The site had a spiritual element to it and was around self improvement, as I was reading it that phrase popped into my head hence starting the discussion. There has been some really interesting responses. We all go through different things so have so many ways of viewing the same thing differently.
Thanks,
Daniel 

nannymaroon

"everything happens for a reason."
I think that statement is very dismissive esp when someone is trying to understand a situation they are in . It's like saying don't question anything or anyone's motives and behaviour. It makes me feel very disempowered when someone says that.
How are we to learn about anything if we think things just happen beyond our influence or control?