Everything Happens for a Reason

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Kate Bowler, a professor at Duke Divinity School, specializes in the prosperity gospel, which equates fortune with divine favor and misfortune with God's disapproval. At thirty-five, she appears to embody this belief, thriving in her career, happily married to her high school sweetheart, and enjoying life with her newborn son. However, her world is upended when she is diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. This diagnosis compels Kate to confront her unexamined adherence to the prosperity gospel, which suggests that determination can shape one's life. While this faith celebrates the American spirit, it also implies that those who face illness or hardship are failures. As Kate grapples with her illness, she realizes that no amount of positive thinking can change her reality. She questions the societal notion that everything happens for a reason and finds herself stripped of this certainty. Through her journey, she discovers that life, though challenging, can be profoundly beautiful. With a blend of humor and insight, Kate shares her experiences and reflections on dying, offering readers a candid look at how facing mortality can illuminate the art of living.