Lots of human potential and personal growth experts will tell you that everything happens for a reason. I often say the same thing. This means there must be some good in every event.
This teaching can also be found in Judaism. In fact, we have a famous saying that comes from one of our Talmudic rabbis, Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu. Many Jews have heard it: Gam zu l’tovah. This also is for good. This is one of my favorite sayings and teachings from Judaism.
The Gamara, which is part of the Talmud (a central text of mainstream Judaism), explains that Rabbi Nachum’s nickname came from the fact that his reaction to anything that happened to him was always, “Gam zu l’tovah,” or “And that is also for the good.”
What’s the lesson we can learn from Rabbi Nachum and his saying? We can learn that, indeed, everything that happens is “for the good.” Yes…even the “bad stuff.”
Today, think about what happens to you in a positive manner–even if initially it doesn’t look like it is “for the good.” Or simply accept what happens knowing that at some point you’ll understand why the experience was “for the good.”
You don’t have to understand why something is “for the good” right this moment. Just know that it is. One day, you’ll understand. That’s why we say “hindsight is 20-20.”
I know some people are going to jump up and down and yell, “But the earthquake in Haiti couldn’t have been for the good! 9-11 couldn’t have been for the good! The Holocaust couldn’t have been for the good!”
We also don’t always see the reasons; God has better vision than we do. I do think, however, a reason exists. I have faith. I trust. I agree with Rabbi Nachum.
And you know what? Believing that on some level–even a level I may not understand–everything is for the good makes it easier to deal with disasters and tragedies. It doesn’t make them less horrible; it makes them easier to accept.
I suggest you read a bit more about Rabbi Nachum’s views on this here.
And try his words out. You might find you them.
