The idea that “everything happens for a reason” is comforting, and the Bible supports the idea that God works through all circumstances for our good. Even when we don’t understand why things happen, Scripture reassures us that God is in control. Let’s explore verses that remind us that God has a plan and purpose, even in the difficult moments.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Individuality
Bible Verses About Everything Happens For A Reason
Romans 8:28 – God works all things together for our good
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Proverbs 16:9 – God directs our steps
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – Everything has its appointed time
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Isaiah 55:8-9 – God’s thoughts and ways are higher
““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9
Jeremiah 29:11 – God has a plan for our lives
““For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Proverbs 19:21 – Many plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21
Psalm 37:23 – The steps of the godly are ordered by the LORD
“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.” – Psalm 37:23
Proverbs 16:33 – The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD
“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” – Proverbs 16:33
Psalm 139:16 – God knows the days of our lives before they come to be
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:16
Matthew 6:25-27 – Do not worry about tomorrow, God will take care
““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” – Matthew 6:25-27
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD and lean not on your own understanding
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs 16:4 – The LORD has made everything for his purpose
“The LORD works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.” – Proverbs 16:4
James 1:17 – Every good and perfect gift is from above
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
Proverbs 16:1 – The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD
“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.” – Proverbs 16:1
Lamentations 3:37-38 – Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?
“Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?” – Lamentations 3:37-38
Isaiah 46:10 – God declares the end from the beginning
“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”” – Isaiah 46:10
Ephesians 1:11 – In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” – Ephesians 1:11
Job 42:2 – No purpose of God can be thwarted
““I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”” – Job 42:2
Psalm 33:11 – The counsel of the LORD stands forever
“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” – Psalm 33:11
Jeremiah 10:23 – A person’s steps are directed by the Lord
“I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.” – Jeremiah 10:23 (NLT)
Psalm 92:5 – O Lord, how great are your works!
“How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!” – Psalm 92:5 (ESV)
Psalm 25:12 – God leads those who humble themselves
“Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.” – Psalm 25:12 (ESV)
Proverbs 16:7 – When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him
“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” – Proverbs 16:7
Isaiah 45:9 – Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’
“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’”” – Isaiah 45:9
Matthew 10:29-30 – Not a single sparrow falls to the ground without your Father knowing it
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” – Matthew 10:29-30
Job 38:4 – Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.” – Job 38:4
Luke 12:7 – Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Luke 12:7
Isaiah 48:17 – I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you
“This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.’” – Isaiah 48:17
Psalm 115:3 – Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases
“But our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” – Psalm 115:3 (ESV)
Ecclesiastes 3:11 – He has made everything beautiful in its time
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11
Proverbs 16:20 – Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good
“Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:20 (ESV)
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Proverbs 16:2 – All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.” – Proverbs 16:2 (ESV)
Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
2 Corinthians 4:18 – While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
Isaiah 55:9 – For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:9 (ESV)
Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Psalm 37:7 – Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” – Psalm 37:7
Proverbs 3:6 – In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:6 (ESV)
James 4:13-16 – Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” – James 4:13-16
Jeremiah 1:5 – Before I formed you in the womb I knew you
““Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”” – Jeremiah 1:5
Isaiah 41:13 – For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” – Isaiah 41:13
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
Jeremiah 17:7-8 – Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him
““But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”” – Jeremiah 17:7-8
Matthew 16:26 – What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” – Matthew 16:26 (NIV)