Prayer

Everything Happens For A Reason

It is a statement we hear often in our culture: Everything happens for a reason.
Usually, it’s spoken in response to something we never wished to experience—a health
diagnosis, an accident, or another unexpected life event.
The phrase can act like a period at the end of a sentence. It closes the conversation. We nod in
agreement, our minds drifting away as if something profound has been said and nothing more
needs to be explored. It allows us to move on without engaging more deeply. Sometimes, it may
even be a way to end a conversation we don’t feel ready to have.
Everything happens for a reason.
But what if we pause and gently explore this idea more deeply?
Yes, there is often a chain of causes behind events in our lives. We may later recognize
contributing factors—distraction while driving, unhealthy patterns, or an issue that needed
attention. At other times, the experience feels mysterious, beyond anything we can logically
explain or spiritually name.
What if, rather than focusing solely on why something happened, we consider what meaning we
choose to give it?
From a Unity perspective, the sacred truth is not always found in the event itself, but in our
response to it. This does not mean denying what happened or approving of it. Instead, it invites
us to recognize our spiritual authority to interpret our experiences in ways that support healing,
growth, and awakening.
This is a choice.
We can choose thoughts that align us with our higher self and with the divine wisdom within us.
So when you feel tempted to say, Everything happens for a reason, consider looking a little
deeper. Ask yourself: How can I see this in a way that serves my spiritual growth? What truth is
seeking expression through this experience? Meaning is not assigned to us; it is created through
our conscious alignment with Truth.
Unity teacher Ellen Debenport writes in The Five Principles, “Focusing on what we want is
never more difficult than when something we don’t want has already occurred.” She reminds us
that we must cultivate not only the thought, but also the feeling. “The fact is, you will have
whatever you focus on. The law is neutral.”
When we bring light to our experiences—especially the challenging ones—we allow them to
become opportunities for growth, expansion, and spiritual depth.
So the next time the thought arises, Everything happens for a reason, don’t let it end the
conversation. Let it be an opening.

After the punctuation mark, invite curiosity, compassion, and conscious choice—and see where
that deeper inquiry leads you on your spiritual path.

-  Prayer Chaplain Robin Tefft