I’ve never liked the phrase, “Everything happens for a reason.” Maybe it’s true. Maybe it isn’t.
Either way, I have a hard time telling someone that tragedy tore through their family to teach them a valuable lesson or that their loved one passed away because God needed “another rose for his garden.”
The other day, I heard something that reframes this idea in a way that feels useful. A teacher named Guy Finley said,
“Everything that happens to you reveals you to you.”
The things that happen, whether we experience them as tragic or beautiful, hold up a mirror in front of us. This is helpful because it’s impossible to truly know our character, resilience, patience, love, or any other trait by thought alone.
Only circumstances can reveal them to us.
I think I’m a patient person until my kids mash my buttons or a coworker crosses the invisible line in my head. I may believe my love is unconditional until I meet a certain set of conditions.
We could spend all day debating whether everything happens by design or by chance, but that feels like a waste of time. Instead, let’s use whatever happens as a mirror, an opportunity to know ourselves a little better, a chance to grow.
Mindshift 🤔
I’m curious, what do you make of the phrase, “Everything that happens to you reveals you to you”?
Please let me know in the comments!
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I completely agree! I think whether intentional or not, all of us hide some of our true thoughts and/or emotions. When something happens to us, whatever was hidden or suppressed starts to ooze on out :)
The phrase “everything happens for a reason” is one that I use. My belief is that God has a plan for all of us. Whether others share this belief isn’t the point of this statement; it’s what we do with it. The reality is our future is uncertain and we therefore beyond our control ultimately. The experiences we have and the experiences that we are aware of (as much as we can be) should cause us to reflect and choose to improve in how we show up for others. The message you sent the other day: this too shall pass, is on point and is related to “everything happens for a reason”. For me, it puts things in perspective of Who is truly in control and to use the experiences to help me focus on the present in an effort to better serve others (inclusive of all people) now and into the future.