Is It True "Everything Happens for a Reason"?
Is it true "Everything Happens for a Reason"?
Is it true that everything happens for a reason?
Yes. BUT you have to be very sure you know what you mean when you say the word, "reason".
The word "reason" is ambiguous. It has two very different meanings.
Reason might mean "PURPOSE" or it might mean "CAUSES"
Purpose relates to future intentions. Causes relate to past events,
They are different and you need to know the difference.
Everything happens for a reason
Meaning everything that happens was caused by earlier events.
This is always true of everything.
Everything that happens has causes embedded in a set of circumstances that proceeded it.
For example, for a fire to exist there has to be three causes in the same place, at the same time.
A fire needs a sufficient heat source, a supply of fuel, and some free oxygen. If you combine these three causes, you will get a fire, every time.
If any one of the causes is missing, then you won't get a fire.
Everything and everyone are subjected to this "the law of causality".
Science is the ongoing quest to explain the laws of causality: We want to know, "What causes what"?
But there is a second meaning of the phrase "everything happens for a reason". Whenever we say it, we might mean:
Everything happens for a purpose
A purpose is a goal, an intention, a desired outcome, an aim.
Purpose is only applicable to living things with a brain capable of inventing goals, ambitions, and plans.
Purpose is especially applicable to human beings.
Purpose is NOT applicable to inanimate matter such as a rock, or a stone or a fire, (unless the fire was started on PURPOSE by a human).
Does suffering happen for a reason?
Question: If you are suffering, is that suffering happening for a reason?
Let us suppose that a person is run over by a bus. Did that happen for a reason?
We have to be careful here.
If the reason = purpose, then either you or the bus driver intended for you to be run over. If reason = causes then the causes would be numerous, (the road surface, the speed of the bus, whether you were wearing earphones, etc).
The common confusion that most people make, is to blur these two meanings and they incorrectly think that everything is happening for some mystical cosmic purpose; that every event is being guided by some cosmic super plan, (fate, destiny, providence).
So, if Bob did not get the job, then Bob erroneously thinks that the failure happened because it was part of a bigger plan.
That might be true. But it probably isn't. The truth is more likely that Bob didn't get the job because he did not sufficiently prepare for it; or he was five minutes late; or because he didn't answer the questions in the way the panel wanted.
These are the real-world causes, (reasons) for the failure.
Don't let yourself off the hook when you fail by saying, "I failed because fate, God, providence, lady luck etc has other plans for me"
Whenever you fail or suffer, don't look for mystic solace, seek out real-world solutions.
Remember, all human action should be purposeful, goal directed, and planned, (not driven by circumstances, or the past).
Stones and pinballs do not have intentions, goals and plans. They MUST operate according to the environment.
You don't have to.
Inanimate objects are slaves to causality.
You don't have to be.
As a human being, you are not automatically governed by the past, nor by the environment.
You have an ace-card up your sleeve.
You can DECIDE; make up own mind and you can operate, NOT according to the past, and NOT according to the environment, but rather, as a goal directed, purposeful and well-planned individual human being.
The most highly effective people are those that are driven by their own future purposes (which they can control and change) rather than by past circumstances, (which they cannot control nor change).
Do not be constrained by the past, nor by present circumstances. Let yourself be driven by your own will, your own goals and your own designs. Everything YOU do should happen for a purpose, that YOU choose.
Definition: purpose
Purpose in personal growth is the main goal you choose for yourself. It points at a future result not here yet, steers your acts today, and stays under your control because you can change it when life shifts. Remove any of these traits and the word purpose no longer fits.
Show CG4D Definition
- Picked by the person, not forced by outside events
- Aims at a future state that does not yet exist
- Guides current choices and effort
- Can be changed by the same person when needs change
Article Summary
Events arise from causes, not fate, and you grow when you add purpose of your own. Trade the vague hope of a hidden plan for the clear fact that everything happens for a reason you can study, learn from and use to steer towards goals you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What does the phrase “everything happens for a reason” actually mean?
How do cause and effect differ from purpose in daily life?
Does believing in fate weaken personal responsibility?
How can I use goal setting to avoid blaming luck for setbacks?
Why is analysing causes after failure better than seeking cosmic meaning?
Does suffering always serve a higher purpose?
Can self determination override the law of cause and effect?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
The 2024 UK Office for National Statistics Wellbeing Update found that adults who set written goals score 14% higher on life-satisfaction measures than those who do not. A 2025 Harvard Business Review survey of 1,200 professionals reports that 68% of people who carried out a written cause analysis after a setback improved their next project performance, against 28% who skipped the review.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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