Book Review: Everything Happens for a Reason

By Jessica Asbell

Every once in a while, a book comes along that grabs you and doesnt let go. Usually, it is a thriller or a mystery, but sometimes, it is the true story of someones life. Its not often that you end a book feeling like everyone should read it, but Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies Ive Loved is one of those books. A friend gave it the highest praise she could by saying that she gives a copy of it to everyone she meets. While you will read this book with tears in your eyes, it can be life changing for anyone who loves someone with cancer, for anyone who has cancer, and for anyone who has simply asked why things happen.

Everything happens for a reason. When something bad happens, we do our best to comfort ourselves and others with sayings like this. And sometimes, it works. And yes, good things can come out of tragedy. But sometimes, it feels hollow, makes us angry, or makes us wonder what that reason could possibly be. It is out of this feeling that Kate Bowler has written Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies Ive Loved.

A professor at Duke Divinity School, Kate specializes in prosperity gospel where prosperity is seen as a blessing from God, and misfortune is seen as punishment for sin. But at 35, married to her high school sweetheart and with a much-prayed-for baby, she received a death sentence: stage IV colon cancer. Everything Happens for a Reason is her story of grief, faith, and facing down the reality of death. What do you do when you realize that control is an illusion? What do you do when faced with the prospect of leaving your family behind?

Kates wit and humor will have you laughing unexpectedly, as she does her best to live her life. The kindness shown by strangers and family alike will have you crying tears of gratitude along with her. And her resolve to fight in the face of terrible odds will have you cheering her on. And perhaps, this little book will help you look at your own life differently. It may just help you appreciate the things you have and hug your family a little tighter. Get this book however you can, and spend a few hours with Kate. And through the laughter and the tears, you will be forever changed.