Does God Control Everything That Happens?
This question often arises when people are trying to make sense of suffering, evil, or events that feel chaotic. Some have been taught that God controls every detail directly— while others are told that this belief is the only way to affirm God’s sovereignty.
Scripture presents a more careful and balanced picture. God is sovereign—but that does not mean He directly causes every action or event.
What Scripture means by God’s sovereignty
“The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”
Psalm 103:19
God’s sovereignty means He reigns, not that He micromanages every choice. Scripture shows God governing history toward His purposes while allowing real human decisions with real consequences.
Human choices are treated as genuine
Throughout Scripture, people are held responsible for their actions. This only makes sense if those actions are not secretly predetermined.
“Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”
James 1:14
Scripture does not attribute temptation or sin to God’s direct control. It places responsibility where it belongs—on human choice.
What God does control
Scripture consistently shows that God:
- Sets moral boundaries
- Calls people to repentance
- Responds to choices with justice and mercy
- Works redemptively even in broken situations
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”
Genesis 50:20
God’s ability to bring good out of evil does not require Him to cause the evil. Scripture distinguishes between human intent and God’s redemptive response.
Why this distinction matters
If God directly controls every action, then responsibility, repentance, and justice lose meaning. Scripture preserves God’s goodness by affirming real human choice within God’s sovereign plan.
This understanding allows us to say, with honesty, that some things happen because people choose wrongly— not because God delights in harm or scripts suffering.
What about suffering?
Scripture does not present suffering as proof that God is orchestrating evil. Instead, it shows God responding to suffering with compassion, justice, and promise of restoration.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18
God’s nearness in suffering does not require Him to have caused it. Often, His presence is most clearly revealed in how He meets people within it.
A steady conclusion
God is sovereign, wise, and faithful. He governs history without erasing human responsibility. He redeems without authoring evil.
This view allows believers to trust God deeply without blaming Him for everything that goes wrong.