Can We Stop Saying Everything Happens For A Reason!
By Mike Edwards
Well-meaning people use the phrases “everything happens for a reason” or “God willing.” God willing implies that God controls the good AND God controls evil. If you experience tragedy, did God not want goodness in your life. If you so desperately want to have a child, is God making you infertile for a reason? Does God really allow rape or any evil experienced for a reason? If God allows something to happen, that means God could have stopped evil but choose not to. I would struggle having a relationship with a God or human parent with that attitude.
God can’t be all-powerful and humans have freedom
Logically, God can’t be all-controlling or all-powerful and humans have some freedom/power? Besides, a perfect God’s love can’t be all-powerful. See here. A God who supposedly can stop suffering but doesn’t is no different than a parent who stands by and watches their child suffer. Evil and suffering in the world may be because God cannot intervene single-handedly. God can’t physically interfere in evil or suffering without human help. See here.
God can’t control the present or the future for any reason
God can’t know the future for that suggest there is a predetermined future making freedom nonsensical. God’s plan is not a detailed blueprint but a general one to set us free to love. God can’t tell you if the person you want to marry won’t end up betraying you or the job you take won’t end up being phased out. Heresy alert — God doesn’t know! God joins us in an open future. We surely have God’s blessing choosing the wisest, more loving path at the time based on past experiences, current circumstances, and future aspirations.
Can there be Good News despite lack of guarantees!
The best news is God isn’t controlling sufferings we experience in our lives. God wants us to truly feel free to pursue our own dreams without strings attached, unlike some earthly parents. God only desires to influence us to do all the good we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can, as long as we can. The future is open to God as well. God joins us in a true friendship by sharing our joys and sorrows in our journey to be the person we deep down desire to be.
A uncontrolling God can be more relatable
God loves like how you wished you loved others. God hates when prayers can’t be answered. God feels the same pain you are experiencing. God shares the dreams you have for your future. Conventional thinkers don’t like to suggest God has feelings of vulnerability, but they don’t mind talking about God’s wrath. If God can be angry, God can be sad. God hates when we are suffering. If God truly loves, God hurts when you hurt. We may wish God would just intervene but there may be legitimate reasons why God can’t. But God is with you each step of the way as we reach out to others for help as well. Imagine what God could do if an entire world sought God’s guidance in loving others!
Can We Stop Saying Everything Happens For A Reason!
Can We Stop Saying We Know What Biblical Truths Are?
Can We Stop Saying Our Rights As A Nation Come From God?
Can We Stop Saying “Biblical Worldview”?
Can We Stop Saying “Love The Sinner, Hate The Sin”!
Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com
